IPSF EMRO Drug Addiction Booklet 2022

International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation

Drug Addiction B o o k l e t

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Introduction Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behaviour and leads to an inability to control the use of legal or illegal drugs or medications. When you’re addicted, you can’t stop using the drug despite the harm it causes.

Drug addiction can start in any way. Like experimental use of a recreational drug, exposure to prescribed medications, or receiving medications from a friend or relative who has been prescribed the medication.

As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get the same effect. Soon, you may need the drug just to feel good. As your drug use increases, you may find that it’s increasingly difficult to go on with your daily life without the drug. Attempts to stop drug use may cause intense cravings and make you feel physically ill (withdrawal symptoms).

Diagnosis Diagnosing drug addiction (substance use disorder) requires a thorough evaluation and often includes an assessment by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed alcohol and drug counsellor.

Blood, urine or other lab tests are used to assess drug use, but they’re not a diagnostic test for addiction. However, these tests may be used for monitoring treatment and recovery.

Treatment For many people struggling with addiction, the toughest step toward recovery is the very first one: recognising that you have a problem and deciding to make a change. It’s normal to feel uncertain about whether you’re ready to start recovery, or if you have what it takes to quit. If you’re addicted to a prescription drug, you may be concerned about how you’re going to find an alternate way to treat a medical condition.

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It’s okay to feel torn. Committing to sobriety involves changing many things, including: - The way you deal with stress - Who you allow in your life - What you do in your free time - How you think about yourself - The prescription and over-the-counter medications you take.

It’s also normal to feel conflicted about giving up your drug of choice, even when you know it’s causing problems in your life. Recovery requires time, motivation, and support, but by making a commitment to change, you can overcome your addiction and regain control of your life.

Once you’ve committed to recovery, it’s time to explore your treatment choices. While addiction treatment can vary according to the specific drug, a successful program often includes different elements, such as:

1. Detoxification Also called “detox” or withdrawal therapy.Its goal is to enable you to stop taking the addicting drug as quickly and safely as possible.

Whether on an outpatient basis, or by admission to a hospital or a residential treatment centre.

Withdrawal from different types of drugs produces different side effects and requires different approaches. It may involve gradually reducing the dose of the drug or temporarily substituting other substances.

2. Individual, group or family therapy sessions They mainly focus on understanding the nature of addiction, becoming drug-free and preventing relapse. Levels of care and settings vary depending on your needs, such as outpatient, residential and inpatient programs.

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3. Behaviour therapy As a form of psychotherapy, it can be done by a psychologist or psychiatrist, or you may receive counselling from a licensed alcohol and drug counsellor.

The therapist or counsellor can: 1. Help you develop ways to cope with your drug cravings.

2. Suggest strategies to avoid drugs, prevent relapse, and deal with a relapse if it occurs.

3. Talk about issues regarding your job, legal problems, and relationships with family and friends.

4. Include family members to help them develop better communication skills and be supportive.

5. Address other mental health conditions.

4. Self-help groups The self-help support group message is that addiction is a chronic disorder with a danger of relapse. Self-help support groups can decrease the sense of shame and isolation that can lead to relapse.

Your therapist or licensed counsellor can help you locate a self-help support group.

You may also find support groups in your community or on the internet.

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Coping and support Overcoming an addiction and staying drug-free require a persistent effort.

Learning new coping skills and knowing where to find help are essential.

It’s also of utmost importance that you reach out for support. Whatever treatment approach you choose, having positive influences and a solid support system is essential. The more people you can turn to for encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear, the better your chances for recovery.

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Taking these actions can help:

- See a licensed therapist or licensed drug and alcohol counsellor.

Drug addiction is linked to a number of problems that may be resolved with therapy or counselling, including other underlying mental health concerns, marriage or family problems. Seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or licensed counsellor may help you regain your peace of mind and mend your relationships.

- Seek treatment for other mental health disorders. People with other mental health problems, such as depression, are more likely to become addicted to drugs. Seek immediate treatment from a qualified mental health professional if you have any signs or symptoms of mental health problems.

- Join a support group. Support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous, can be very effective in coping with addiction.

Compassion, understanding and shared experiences can help you break your addiction and stay drug-free.

- Lean on close friends and family. Having the support of friends and family members is an invaluable asset in recovery. If you’re reluctant to turn to your loved ones, consider going to relationship counselling or family therapy.

- Build a sober social network. If your previous social life revolved around drugs, you may need to make some new connections.

It’s important to have sober friends who will support your recovery. Try taking a class, joining a civic group, volunteering, or attending events in your community.

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After addressing your immediate problems with addiction and starting treatment, you’ll still have to face the problems that led to your drug abuse. Did you start using drugs to numb painful emotions, calm yourself after an argument, unwind after a bad day, or forget about your problems?

Once you’re sober, the negative feelings that you dampened with drugs will resurface. For treatment to be successful, you’ll first need to resolve your underlying issues.

These emotions are all a normal part of life. Finding ways to address these feelings as they arise is an essential component to your treatment and recovery.

There are healthier ways to keep your stress level in check. You can learn to manage your problems without falling back on your addiction. When you’re confident in your ability to quickly de-stress, facing strong feelings isn’t as intimidating or overwhelming.

Once you have resolved your underlying issues, you will, at times, continue to experience stress, loneliness, frustration, anger, shame, anxiety, and hopelessness.

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Relapse A relapse is when a person returns to using drugs after a period of sobriety. While a lapse is a brief “slip” where a person may use, but then immediately stop again, a relapse is when a person makes a full blown return to using drugs.

Many people recovering from addiction face a consistently high risk of relapse because chronic substance use results in certain structural and functional brain alterations that persist well beyond the period that sobriety was first obtained.

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What causes relapse?

Different “triggers” can put you at risk of relapsing into old patterns of drug use.

While specific causes of relapse differ from person to person, some common triggers include: - Negative emotional state (such as stress, sadness, anger, or trauma) - Positive emotional state (feeling happy and wanting to feel even better, such as having a good time with friends) - Physical discomfort (such as pain or withdrawal symptoms) - Trying to test your personal control (“I can use just once” or “have just one pill”) - Strong temptation or urge (craving to use) - Conflict (such as an argument with your spouse or partner) - Social pressure (being in a situation where it seems everyone else is using drugs) Don’t let relapse keep you down Relapse is a common part of the recovery process from drug addiction. While relapse is frustrating and discouraging, it can be an opportunity to learn from your mistakes, identify additional triggers, and correct your treatment course.

Relapse doesn’t mean drug treatment failure. Don’t give up. Talk to your therapist, go to a meeting, or schedule an appointment with your doctor.

When you’re sober again and out of danger, look at what triggered the relapse, what went wrong, and what you could have done differently. You can choose to get back on the path to recovery and use the experience to strengthen your commitment.

In the end, we want you to know that as long as you want to overcome drug addiction, you can do it. Have patience and be committed to the process no matter how slow or full of fluctuations it is.

The path to recovery is not a highway, but it is worth every road bump 9

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REFERENCES

WebMD: Substance abuse and dependence, Mental Health (Here) Mayoclinic: Drug Addiction (Substance Use Disorder), Patient Care and Health Information (Here) National Institute on Drug Abuse: Understanding drug use and addiction (Here) Helpguide.org: Overcoming drug addiction (Here)

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