Drugs

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What Are Illicit Drugs?

Just what are illicit drugs? Illicit drugs are generally illegal but are being used in a variety of ways for a desired mental or physical effect.

Illicit drugs include heroin, meth, cocaine, and others.

The addiction potential of illicit drugs is extremely high, including after a single-use.

Over time, a user must increase the amount taken to reach the same effect or “high” as the last use.

As tolerance builds, the user may also take additional risks.

Illicit drug use can result in reckless or dangerous behavior to cope with mental and physical addiction.

Professional help is needed to help treat addiction to illicit drugs.

Dangers of Illicit Drugs

The dangers involved in the use of illicit drugs are higher than with prescription drugs.

What are illicit drugs? Illicit drugs are often produced by multiple people with varying amounts of substances in each batch. This extreme variability can lead to an unintended overdose. For instance, illicit drugs mixed with fentanyl can catch the user by surprise and lead to immediate death.

Fentanyl is an extremely powerful prescription drug that is also produced illegally. It has been estimated that over half of overdose deaths involve fentanyl.

Addiction to illicit substances can leave a user’s friends and family members frightened and confused. You and your loved ones deserve professional help for the safest and most successful recovery.

Understanding Drug Addiction

There is a reason for hope because recovery is possible. The American Society of Addiction Medicine formally defines addiction as “a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.”

Symptoms of Addiction

Drug addiction can have a variety of symptoms, including:

• Erratic behavior
• Mood swings
• Dilated pupils
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Weight loss
• Signs of vitamin deficiency (skin changes, hair loss, nail changes)
• Aggressive behavior
• Increased sleeping

Treatment at Resurgence

Addiction has been described as a process of losing hope. It can be challenging to determine when abuse moves to addiction. A good rule of thumb is that if drug use creates problems, professional treatment may be necessary. Addiction to illicit substances requires both medical and addiction specialists to allow recovery to occur and hope to reappear. Resurgence has a collective experience of over 50 years in treating all forms of illicit drug addiction in all personalities, in all situations. A healthy life is possible.

Effects of Drug Abuse

Illicit drug abuse can lead to financial devastation, broken relationships, and life-threatening health risks. Continuing to use illicit drugs even with these consequences is a hallmark of addiction. Chasing a “high” can become the only goal of the addict. Continued drug abuse can alter chemical pathways in the brain and lead to distorted thinking. Without treatment, the effects of drug abuse can be permanent.

Altered Behavior Due to Illicit Drug Abuse

Drug abuse can alter behaviors. It can sometimes be difficult to “find” the person that existed before illicit drug use started. Some examples of common behaviors of drug abusers include:

• Hallucinations
• Aggression
• Impulsiveness
• Rambling or rapid speech
• Inability to make decisions
• Paranoia
• Loss of self-control
• Secretive or unexplained activity

Drug Abuse in Families

There is evidence that drug abuse can be contagious within families. Behaviors of drug abuse in a household with illicit drug abuse can be dangerous not only for the user but also young family members. From 2014-2017 the United States experienced a decrease in life expectancy that is partially due to drug abuse. The increase in mortality was seen in young and middle-aged adults, with illicit drug abuse being the suspected cause.

Seeking Help

The effects of illicit drug abuse can be seen in every area of a loved one’s life. Treatment is essential to stop the damaging impacts of addiction and to move towards health and stability. Reaching out for help if you or a loved one’s illicit drug use has you concerned is the first step towards healing. Learning more about the cycle of addiction and healthy coping mechanisms are the first steps to a more stable and joyful life.

Mental Illness and Illicit Drug Use

Mental illness and illicit drug use are often related. Experiencing a mental illness such as depression or anxiety can make you or a loved one more vulnerable to the effects of illicit drug use. At times illicit drugs can be used to self-medicate. An undiagnosed mental condition can lead to attempts to feel better by using other external illegal substances. When the underlying condition is treated, this can help relieve the desire to search for relief. Illicit drug use can seem like an option to cope with difficult emotions; however, illicit drug use only introduces other dangerous factors. Treating both mental health and addiction is vital for long term recovery.

Healing is Possible: Drug Addiction Treatment

If you or a loved one is suffering from illicit drug use, we are here to help. At Resurgence, we use an integrated approach to help you heal and recover. We have 20 years of experience breaking the cycle of addiction and shame. Recovery from illicit drug use is not a short process, but it is possible. Simply stopping taking the drug is not recovery. Learning about addiction, treating any underlying issues, and building coping mechanisms other than drug use are learned behaviors that are taught and supported at Resurgence.

Recovery at Resurgence

Are you tired? Tired of bad news, tired of lies, tired of the process of keeping addiction going?

We can help. We will work with you to determine your individual goals of treatment and customize treatment to your needs.

Illicit drug abuse requires a team approach, including safe medical detox, counseling, therapy, and inpatient treatment to transition to outpatient treatment.

We are here to walk through this process with you.

Resurgence is available to answer questions or discuss options with you.

We have a team of professionals who are dedicated to understanding and healing from addiction.

We give hope back to those who are searching for recovery and stability.

Even if the situation appears hopeless or there is resistance to change, treatment can still be effective.