Drug Dependence

What is Drug Dependence?

When an individual has drug dependence it means that the individual needs to use drugs in order to function.  Drug dependence does not necessarily equate to drug addiction. There are many people suffering from chronic pain that have become dependent on their medication, but are not actually abusing it. Unfortunately, the more common scenario is the individual that has become dependent on the medication due to drug abuse. Drug dependence can occur with prescription drugs, street drugs or alcohol. Today’s society is laden with persons dealing with drug dependency issues. Whether in the midst of drug dependency or drug addiction, family and friends are usually affected.  Treatment for drug dependence in a qualified drug and alcohol rehab center is the best way for all to recover physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually.   

Contributing Factors to Drug Dependency

Drug dependency has many contributing causes that are categorized as genetic, peer pressures, emotional distress, or environmental surroundings.  Very often children who grew up surrounded by drug dependency become drug abusers and have elevated potential to become addicts.  In recent studies, half the patients suffering drug dependency also suffer depression, attention deficit disorder, bipolar or post traumatic stress disorder.  The coexistence of drug addiction and a mental disorder is what is known as a dual diagnosis. Research has shown that people with psychiatric problems are much more prone to addiction than others. Dual diagnosis is a treatable illness and research has shown that the best way to treat dual diagnosis is by addressing both the chemical dependency and the emotional or psychiatric illness concurrently.

Drug Dependency Recovery

When the user discontinues their drug use, the withdrawal symptoms of drug dependency begin. They can be moderate to severe and even life-threatening.  In order to receive the best care possible, drug dependent individuals should seek proper treatment in a licensed and accredited drug addiction treatment center. There are proven detox treatments under board certified medical professional care that are designed to manage the withdrawal symptoms associated with drug dependency in order to decrease or eliminate them altogether.  Recommended clinical services following drug detox are inpatient addiction treatment services for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. One of the benefits of treatment centers for drug dependency is their commitment to aftercare relapse prevention programs.  Treatment centers analyze the drug dependency issues a person has prior to discharge and design individualized treatment plans to assist in keeping each patient clean and sober. Whatever recovery tools they have learned in drug dependency treatment, become necessary to use post treatment. The goal is to utilize everything learned in treatment to enjoy a long recovery.

For advice on finding the best treatment for drug dependency, call the Drug Abuse Helpline 24/7 at 1-800-943-0566.   All calls are toll-free and confidential.