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Addiction is never easy. An activity that started as a harmless thrill can become an all-consuming desire that turns your life upside down. It can destroy families, ruin careers, cause bankruptcy, and end up in jail time or even death. People can become addicted to a variety of substances and activities, from alcohol to prescription medication to gambling. Here are some common addictions and how you can find help to overcome them.

Alcohol

Alcohol addiction or alcoholism is one of the most prolific yet difficult to recognize addictions. The reason for this is that the consumption of alcohol—unlike most other addictions—is accepted and even celebrated in numerous cultures. Because drinking is so widespread, people can easily cross the line between appropriate enjoyment and addiction. Although some alcoholics can seem high-functioning, their addictions can still cause serious problems.

Common signs of alcoholism are an increase in drinking volume and frequency, drinking during all hours of the day or at inappropriate times (such as at work), and anti-social behavior. Alcoholism can lead to fatal heart and liver disease. It can also result in suppressed immune function, stomach ulcers, and diabetes complications. In addition, driving while under the influence of alcohol is the cause of 28 deaths each day in the US.

Gambling

Similar to consuming alcohol, gambling is a socially-acceptable behavior. However, simple fun can become problem gambling. The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that gambling addictions affect over 2.2 percent of Americans. Unlike most other addictions, a gambling addiction does not have severe negative effects on your health. However, it can still lead to risky behavior and result in catastrophic financial consequences.

Signs of addiction can include preoccupation with gambling, wagering increasingly larger sums of money, taking greater gambling risks, using gambling to cope with negative feelings, gambling instead of showing up to commitments, and trying to conceal gambling habits. Serious problem gamblers may borrow money or sell their possessions to fund their habit. Some may end up falling into serious debt or committing theft.

Methamphetamines

Methamphetamine, crystal meth, or meth is an extremely addictive drug. When meth is consumed through smoking, snorting, or injection, it produces a long-lasting rush that makes the user feel powerful and euphoric. Because it is so potent, meth alters the brain chemistry of the user, causing them to spiral downward quickly into dependence and addiction. An approximate 1.5 million Americans are addicted to meth.

People addicted to meth typically have meth mouth, where use of the drug leads to severe teeth decay. They also usually have numerous sores or boils on their skin from incessant scratching. Meth can cause severe cognitive and psychological issues for long-term users such as aggressive behavior, depression, hallucinations, psychosis, and loss of memory and motor skills. High doses of meth can lead to coma, stroke, and death.

Opioids: Prescription Drugs and Heroin

Opioids include legally prescribed painkillers such as tramadol, oxycodone, or hydrocodone and illegal drugs like heroin. Prescription painkillers can easily be misused by patients who become addicted to feelings of well-being or euphoria. Opioid medication misuse is a known precursor to heroin abuse. A 2018 study estimated that 9.9 million Americans misused prescription opioids and 808,000 Americans misused heroin in the past year.

Signs of opioid addiction can include mood swings, a visible change in eating and sleeping habits, signs of intoxication, trouble performing daily tasks, and isolation from friends and family. People who are addicted to opioids will deviate from prescriptions in terms of dosage, frequency, and course of medication. They may visit several doctors to receive multiple simultaneous prescriptions or turn to purchasing illegal drugs to feed their cravings.

Addiction Rehabilitation

The first step in receiving addiction treatment is to seek help. Contact your doctor, an anonymous hotline, or an addiction clinic. Addiction rehabilitation centers such as Dr. Samuel rehab have a range of treatment programs that are tailored to their patient’s circumstances and needs. Depending on their situation, patients typically have two treatment settings to choose from: inpatient or outpatient.

Inpatient treatment is where the patient resides in the rehabilitation facility to receive 24/7 care. This option ensures that patients are shielded from addiction triggers, but they have to commit a considerable block of time to treatment. Outpatient treatment is where the patient lives at home and spends some time at the facility each week. This option is more flexible and affordable, but patients are exposed to ‘real world’ addiction triggers

Effective rehabilitation combines a variety of methods. Doctors provide monitored medical intervention to help patients manage their cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy enable patients to identify the underlying causes of their addiction and replace their self-destructive coping mechanisms. Group therapy sessions give patients the support and motivation to move forward.

Whether you have an addiction to alcohol, drugs, or gambling, it can be overwhelming. It can consume your thoughts and destroy your health, relationships, finances, and career. You do not need to fight addiction alone. It is vital to seek treatment as soon as possible. By contacting a rehabilitation clinic, you can get help to overcome your addiction and take back control of your life.