Substance Abuse Rehab - Lansdale

Substance abuse is the hazardous use of psychoactive substances like alcohol and drugs. These substances cause changes in mood and behavior, and abusing them can lead to addiction, which is a chronic and relapsing disease that affects the structures and functions of the brain.

Substance abuse rehab is essential for addressing the psychological issues behind the abuse to curb it and prevent devastating medical problems that often include a full-blown addiction to the substance.

Rehab can take place at a residential treatment center or through an outpatient substance abuse rehab program. Inpatient treatment is best for those with a long history of substance abuse or ambivalence toward sobriety. Outpatient rehabs can be successful as well, but the patient must have a strong personal commitment to recovery.

Different Types of Substance Abuse

Alcohol is the most common substance of abuse in the United States and in Lansdale. Over 17 percent of the country's population suffers from alcohol abuse or addiction, but only eight percent seek treatment.

Illicit drug abuse includes illegal drugs like cocaine, meth, and the opiate drug heroin, which is the primary drug of concern in Pennsylvania and Montgomery County. Pennsylvania ranks third in the U.S. for heroin abuse, and the number of overdose deaths due to opiates, which include prescription painkillers as well as heroin, have exceeded the number of traffic fatalities in the state.

Prescription drug abuse is a major problem in the United States. Although Americans account for only five percent of the world's population, we consume three-quarters of the world's prescription drugs. The three most commonly abused types of prescription drugs are opiate painkillers like OxyContin and Vicodin, stimulants like Adderall and Dexedrine, and sedatives like Xanax and Valium.

General Warning Signs of Substance Abuse

Although each type of drug has its own warning signs of abuse, some of the general warning signs that you or someone you love may be abusing drugs or alcohol include:

  • Neglecting responsibilities at home, work, or school.
  • Abandoning hobbies once enjoyed.
  • Changes in mood, such as mood swings, irritability, agitation, or anxiety.
  • The presence of paraphernalia, such as pipes, baggies, or syringes.
  • Using drugs or alcohol on a regular basis.
  • Lying about drug use.
  • Building up a tolerance so that more is needed for the same effects.
  • Engaging in risky behaviors.
  • Spending a lot of time seeking and using drugs and recovering from using.

Heroin abuse in particular can quickly lead to a severe addiction. Signs of heroin abuse include:

  • Dilated pupils for several hours.
  • Shallow breathing.
  • Disorientation.
  • Sudden drops in energy levels or falling asleep at unusual times.
  • Excessive yawning and slurred speech.
  • Needle marks on the arms, hands, legs, or feet.
  • A lack of interest in personal hygiene.

Treatment for Substance Abuse

If an addiction is present, the first step of treatment is medical detox, which breaks the physical addiction.

The highly complex psychological aspects of abuse are treated with various therapies that help patients become more self-aware about the thoughts, emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding the abuse. These are addressed through cognitive and behavioral therapies as well as group counseling and family therapy.

After treatment is successfully completed, an aftercare plan is individualized and set in place to help prevent the patient from using again.

To find out what recovery programs and rehabs in Lansdale would best suit your specific needs, call Drug and Alcohol Treatment centers Lansdale at 215-383-2672.

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