Side Effects Of Substance Abuse
03/14/19: Addiction Recovery \ Drug Addiction
There is no denying the fact that we are facing an epidemic when it comes to substance abuse. There are millions of people just in the U.S. that suffer from some kind of substance abuse, but it is a universal problem. Many people will start using a substance for recreational purposes, but sooner or later it becomes more than just recreational. Even casual use of an illicit substance can cause someone to fall right into addiction. Substance abuse is something that is bad for you both mentally and physically. Abusing a substance can cause a lot of negative effects for a person, both short-term and long-term. There are 3 stages a person typically goes through in addiction: rebound, crash, and comedown. In this blog, we will discuss each stage and the effect they have on a person’s addiction.Rebound
When a person first takes a drug, they will start to experience physical and mental disruptions. The body will try to bring a balance back to feel normal, this is state of balance is also known as homeostasis. When a substance is trying to alter your mental and physical state while your body tries to keep homeostasis, this is what we refer to as the rebound effect. These feelings can be very euphoric for people and this is what causes addiction. Because the experience was so “out of this world” for them, they may desire that feeling again. When the euphoric feelings are finished and the drug wears off, the addict is faced with reality and they will make one of two choices: stop using the substance because it was too much or they will want to use again for that euphoric feeling. This is why it’s called the rebound effect; this can escalate an addiction to severe levels. This can apply to pretty much any drug. Cough syrup, cocaine, marijuana, meth, heroin, fentanyl, painkillers, etc. If you rely heavily enough on the euphoric feeling a substance gives you, your body will crave it constantly. If your body does not get the desired substance, withdrawal can start to kick in. Withdrawal can be as minor as a headache all the way to more severe symptoms like sleep deprivation or sickness. As soon as the pleasure wears off, your body will react in unpleasant ways ranging from minor to severe. The body and mind become dependent on the substance in order to feel any sense of normalcy or relief. They begin to make a person think that you absolutely need the substance in order to function properly. Substances only provide a cheap and potential relief, they are not permanent. The more and more a person consumes a substance, the deeper they fall into addiction.Comedown
After the effects of the drug wear off, the comedown effect commences. When a person abuses a substance, they experience a sense of intoxication and euphoria where everything seems right. The “high” a person gets while abusing a substance usually means extreme relaxation or a state of lethargy. After some time, the effects of the drug will wear off and the addict will be served a large helping of reality. Reality does not appeal to an addict, they typically want to escape from it and they do so through substance abuse. The euphoric feelings they get while on a substance give them an escape from any sort of harsh realities that lurk behind doors that substances close for a short period. When it comes to the symptoms that come from a comedown, they differ based on which substance is being abused, the dosage, and the person’s tolerance to the substance. When a person experiences a “bad trip”, their comedown might be a little more pleasant, more relieving than disappointing. If a person has a “good trip”, their comedown is going to be a lot more unpleasant. They will be disappointed and want to fall right back into the altered state of consciousness they experienced on the drug, thus digging a deeper hole of addiction. People that experience these bad comedowns may even feel general discomfort, racing pulse, sickness, anxiety, mood swings, or even depression. These types of symptoms should require medical attention, but addicts are quick to try and help themselves.Crash
The crash is simply put as intense exhaustion. After such a stimulating experience, the body will try and balance out the over-stimulation the nervous system just experienced. This kind of exhaustion typically happens with drugs like meth, cocaine, and other drugs that are meant to stimulate. This is the body’s way of trying to recover from the intense stimulation it just experienced, which can also be seen as a rebound of sorts. When the body experiences exhaustion, it will want to rest and recover. After the body recovers, a person can easily fall right back into substance abuse since they are well-rested. The higher the dose, the greater the exhaustion is. Not only does the crash bring about exhaustion, but it can also bring about negative moods, depression, and anxiety. These negative emotions can lead to more severe issues like suicidal thoughts or even possibilities of overdosing. Many people who struggle with addiction feel alone and seek out substances to help them eliminate those emotions. Those feelings can only be suppressed for so long until one day they drag them down. Now that you understand the side-effects of drug use, it’s important to know that addiction can be treated. Addiction is a disease that affects the mind, body, and soul, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be beat. Arizona Addiction Recovery Centers offers the help you need in to conquer addiction. We offer different types of services and programs that will ensure your long-term recovery. Lifetime sobriety is what we want you to have. Arizona Addiction aims to help addicts on their journey through sobriety, helping them realize they are not alone in this. Don’t fight this battle by yourself, we are here to help. Content for Arizona Addiction by Cohn Media, LLC. Passionate and creative writing and broadcasting, covering the following industries: addiction rehab, health care, entertainment and technology. Advocate of clear communication, positivity and humanity at its best. www.cohn.mediaIf you or someone you know needs help with addiction, contact 602-737-1619 or email [email protected] to get the help you need. Our acclaimed recovery environment merges upscale, luxury accommodations with affordability, clinical expertise and an unwavering commitment to patient care and aftercare.
