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man learns about the many faces that addiction can take

Shows like Intervention and Addicted have highlighted the plight of individuals struggling with substance abuse and their journey to recovery. These TV shows document the faces of drug addiction and family members' attempts to save them. Sadly, these episodes only catalog a small number of individuals who make up the faces of addiction. Addiction is a severe problem that affects millions of people, so it is vitally important to understand the complex nature of addiction.

What Causes Addiction?

Most people characterize addiction using four main concepts, including compulsion, lack of self-control, psychological and/or physical dependence, and tolerance. The constant urge to consume drugs like heroin or alcohol can push someone to go to extraordinary heights, usually to their detriment, to find and use these substances.

These harmful substances inevitably interrupt the healthy balance of chemicals in the body, resulting in behavioral and physical changes. The substances inhibit a person’s ability to make sound decisions and can even foster violence or belligerent behavior. As the body grows accustomed to the abuse, a person can develop a physical dependence on the substance. Without it, an individual will not be able to function correctly and can even experience a painful withdrawal if deprived of the substance long enough.

What Addiction Looks Like

Some individuals continue their substance abuse to escape the troubles of life. Many substances, like drugs and alcohol, release a massive influx of dopamine into the brain. This chemical is responsible for controlling emotions, and enough quantities can result in a feeling of extreme happiness, known as euphoria. Once hooked, a person might try to recreate this experience by taking more and more of the substance, which can cause tolerance. They may use more of a substance to maintain the same effect as the body grows more accustomed to it.

In most cases, the addiction can be so debilitating that individuals are unable to maintain their responsibilities at work and in the home. Consequently, addiction forces some individuals to live on the streets and engage in criminal activities to supply their habit. Unlike what many think, overcoming an addiction is not as simple as wanting to stop. The painful repercussions of withdrawal are sometimes too imposing to keep some people from entering recovery.

Although usually overlooked, the involvement of family and friends can also play a significant role in an individual’s addiction. Many family members must witness their loved ones change as their addiction takes hold. Their personalities may change, or they become more isolated or combative. Either way, the toll it takes on family and friends is significant enough to push them to do things that subsequently enable addictive behaviors. To successfully combat addiction, family and friends need to understand how their actions might be more destructive than beneficial. That way, their loved ones can seek the treatment they desperately need.

What Can Lead to Recovery

The psychological and physical dependence on substance abuse can be intense. As such, individuals may flip-flop between long-term sobriety and addiction, making the recovery process even more difficult. Ultimately, the process of recovery can seem daunting. Rather than facing it alone, individuals struggling with addiction should seek support from a recovery center. We can provide the necessary insight and guidance to help them face their fears and overcome addiction for good.

At San Antonio Recovery Center, we offer help for all of the faces of drug addiction. We know that you're just like everyone else, and you need help to escape addiction's clutches. Let us help you. We offer a variety of programs to get you back on track, including:

Help for Addiction at San Antonio Recovery Center

San Antonio Recovery Center understands that the faces of addiction affect everyone. Addiction can occur alongside mental health issues, but we offer a dual diagnosis treatment to help. Call us today at 866.957.7885, or contact us online to talk to one of our licensed clinicians here in San Antonio, Texas.

Now is the time to focus on your recovery.

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