The term “drug abuse” refers to the use of drugs to produce pleasurable feelings or as a method to self-medicate. Drug abuse is hazardous, however, and can result in many immediate harmful effects on a person’s health, emotional state, and overall quality of life.

Signs of Drug Abuse vs. Full-Blown Addiction

Drug abuse is characterized by the misuse of legal substances, such as prescription drugs, or any use of any type of illicit drug. People may engage in this behavior to improve mood, relieve stress, or avoid reality. But at this stage, drug use may be controllable, and people may be able to manage potentially dangerous habits to some extent or quit using drugs altogether.

Conversely, addiction is hallmarked by the inability to stop using a substance, despite several attempts to do so. At this stage, people are often physically and psychologically dependent on drugs. Moreover, they cannot control their drug use despite the incurrence of physical, emotional, legal, and financial problems.

Effects on the Brain

The human brain is designed to make us want to repeat experiences that induce pleasure and motivate us to do them again and again. These include basic needs such as eating, receiving affection, and having desirable sexual experiences. Drugs with the potential for abuse and addiction target the brain’s reward system and thus, may encourage people to engage in repeated, compulsive use.

Addictive drugs inundate the brain with chemicals responsible for pleasure, such as dopamine. Therefore, users may keep using a drug to re-experience or intensify a high. Over time, the brain adapts to the presence of excessive feel-good chemicals, and other activities once enjoyed, such as hanging out with friends or hobbies, may not produce as much pleasure.

When drugs are used for a prolonged period, they can induce changes in other brain circuits and systems. They can impair judgment, decision-making and learning capabilities, and encourage a person to seek out and use drugs in ways that exceed his or her control.

Causes of Drug Abuse

Drugs of abuse are intoxicating drugs that are used by people for a variety of reasons, including the following:

• Curiosity or peer pressure, especially among teens and young adults
• The misuse of prescription drugs that were initially intended to treat pain or mental health disorders
• Drugs may be used as part of religious practices or rituals, such as ayahuasca or peyote
• Recreational purposes for euphoric feelings
• As a means of fostering creativity or spirituality, such as the case of LSD users

Who Is Most Likely to Abuse Drugs?

Every person is different and therefore react in different ways to drugs. Some people enjoy the feeling the first time they experience it and seek more. Others don’t like it, feel out of control, and never try it again.

Risk factors that may increase a person’s likelihood of chronic drug abuse include the following:

• Family History

Genetics and hereditary factors are responsible for about half of the odds of a person deciding to continue using drugs following experimentation. If a person’s parents or siblings condone the use of alcohol or drugs or have addictions themselves, the chances that he or she will also use increases.

• Early Experimentation with Substances

The adolescent brain and its ability to regulate emotions and sound decision-making are still in development, and exposure to psychoactive drugs or alcohol can interfere with this process. Using drugs at an early age before the brain has fully matured may make a person more likely to continue abuse drugs into adulthood or become addicted when they get older.

• Mental Health Disorders

People who are anxious, depressed, or experience other mental health conditions have a higher risk of abusing substances as a means to relieve stress or to self-medicate.

• Family Dysfunction or Childhood Trauma

People who grew up experiencing severe dysfunction in their families, such as constant fighting, domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse, or neglect, may be at an increased risk of developing a substance use disorder.

Signs of Drug Abuse

Physical Symptoms

Behavioral Symptoms

Drug abuse can dramatically influence a person’s behavior and habits. Many drugs can compromise the brain’s ability to focus and think clearly.

Negative changes in behavior can be signs of drug abuse and may include the following:

Stimulant abuse, such as that involving amphetamines or cocaine, may result in hyperactivity, including talkativeness and the compulsive engagement in repetitive behaviors.

Treatment for Drug Abuse

Effective treatment for drug abuse is based on a comprehensive approach to substance abuse, addiction, and mental health. This approach includes therapeutic services vital to the recovery process, including behavioral therapy, counseling, education, and group support.

Harmony Treatment and Wellness employs caring addiction and health professionals who render these services to clients in both partial-hospitalization and outpatient formats. Our goal is to provide all clients with the resources and support they need to achieve a full recovery and experience long-lasting sobriety and well-being.

If you have identified signs of drug abuse in yourself or a loved one, contact us today to discuss treatment options. Discover how we can help you begin your journey to recovery and reclaim the fulfilling life you deserve—one step at a time!

People abuse steroids to look more fit, build muscle faster, and enhance athletic abilities. However, these people can also become addicted to steroids, making it difficult for them to quit on their own.

Anabolic steroids are found in pill form and as injectable liquids and topical gels or creams. Street names for steroids include juice, stackers, and roids. Some of the most common brands of steroids include the following:

• Anadrol-50
• Anavar
• Dianabol
• Oxandrin
• Winstrol

Some steroid users have also been known to use veterinary steroids, like Equipoise for horses, because these drugs are often cheaper, more accessible, and produce comparable results.

What Are Anabolic Steroids?

Anabolic steroids are synthetic drugs that stimulate the male sex hormone testosterone. They activate components of DNA in muscle cells that increase the production of proteins that build muscle fibers and tissue. This action can result in increased muscle growth and body mass in a brief period of time. These elements also increase bone minerals and affect the function of the immune, reproductive, and central nervous systems and many organs.

Anabolic steroids can be obtained with a prescription and have important medical purposes. Doctors may prescribe anabolic steroids to treat a myriad of medical conditions, including delayed puberty and hormone imbalances in men and muscle loss due to disease, among others.

Anabolic steroids alter the way in which the body builds muscle. During exercise, people incur small tears in their muscles, and when these heal, the muscle tissue becomes stronger than it was before. Anabolic steroids hasten the healing process, and this helps people exercise harder, more frequently and with greater results.

Steroid Abuse

Any use of anabolic steroids without a valid prescription, beyond its application or intended purpose, or in doses higher or more frequently than prescribed, is considered to be abuse, and is illegal. Those who abuse anabolic steroids often take much higher doses than would normally be prescribed, perhaps up to 100 times higher.

Some people who abuse anabolic steroids for a prolonged period eventually reach a high tolerance, leading to the use of multiple types of steroids simultaneously—also known as “stacking.” This pattern of use places individuals at a much greater risk of adverse anabolic steroid side effects and health complications.

People abuse anabolic steroids primarily to improve their physical appearance and athletic performance. For example, some athletes and bodybuilders use steroids to gain a competitive edge and get bigger, feel stronger, and increase confidence.

For many, the pressure to remain competitive is a significant factor in the decision to use steroids. However, many people who use steroids just want to improve their appearance. Contrary to common belief, most steroid users do not engage in competitive athletics, but primarily want to become leaner and increase muscle.

Methods of Steroid Abuse

There are three ways people commonly abuse anabolic steroids:

Stacking – taking multiple types of steroids at once or combining oral and injectable formulations.

Cycling – a process of taking multiple doses for several weeks, discontinuing use for several weeks, and then start using steroids again. Steroid abusers use off-cycles to allow time for the body to produce its own testosterone and reduce damage to internal organs.

Pyramiding – a method of using steroids during a cycle. The cycle begins with a low dose which gradually increases to a maximum dose in the middle of the cycle. In the second half of the cycle, the user tapers down their dose.

Anabolic Steroid Addiction

Anabolic steroids are either prescribed to or illegally obtained by people who want to become stronger and build muscle mass in a relatively short amount of time, often contributing to increased confidence and self-esteem. There are more than 100 types of anabolic steroids, but only a fraction of them have been approved for medical use. Although steroids don’t induce euphoria or a “high” like most other addictive substances, those who routinely abuse these drugs are still at risk of developing an addiction.

The addictive potential of anabolic steroids is often related to the obsessive and compulsive behavior that a person may engage in to improve their physical appearance and strength in a short period of time. Just like a person who is trying to lose weight can become psychologically addicted to diet pills, a person who is using steroids may continue to do so for fear of losing muscular gains or not making new ones.

People with a history of substance use disorders and mental health conditions may be at a higher risk of abusing anabolic steroids. This is especially true of those who suffer from body dysmorphia, a condition in which the person has an irrational obsession with the appearance of one’s body (or a part of one’s body) and focuses on a flaw that others may not perceive as such.

People who use steroids may also develop a tolerance and experience withdrawal symptoms, including low sex drive, loss of appetite, mood swings, depression, fatigue, and insomnia, when they discontinue use. Withdrawal symptoms such as these are a hallmark sign of dependence and addiction.

Other signs of addiction include the following:

• Spending a significant amount of time and money obtaining and using steroids
• Neglecting responsibilities at home or work
• Continuing to use steroids despite side effects such as hair loss
• Having persistent conflicts with friends and family
• Experiencing severe depression due to withdrawal

People who use steroids for an extended period of time disrupt the natural hormonal balance in their bodies. When a person dependent on steroids abruptly stops using the drugs, they can become depressed and even suicidal due to these hormonal imbalances.

For this reason, a person looking to quit steroid use should seek help. In treatment for steroid addiction, health providers can prescribe medications to restore a healthy hormonal balance and reduce symptoms of depression. Although rare, people who use large amounts of anabolic steroids may overdose, which can lead to coma, heart attack, and stroke.

Dangerous Drug Combinations

Anabolic steroids can mitigate the pleasurable effects of certain drugs. The diminished high of other substances that results from steroid use may compel some users to consume higher amounts of those substances than they normally would. This behavior significantly increases the risk of overdose.

Other drugs commonly abused by anabolic steroid users include:

Steroid users who abuse other drugs often choose stimulants such as cocaine and Adderall for boosts of energy and decreased appetite. Unfortunately, mixing stimulants and steroids increases aggressive tendencies and puts stress on the heart.

Heavy alcohol consumption while using steroids can also lead to extreme aggression. Using these substances in conjunction may have a long-term effect on behavior and can exacerbate an addiction. People who abuse alcohol and steroids simultaneously are also more likely to commit violent crimes.

Furthermore, some people accidentally become addicted to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to self-medicate away undesirable anabolic steroid side effects, such as insomnia and aggression. A study of men who suffered from heroin addiction found that 9% started taking the drug as a result of their steroid use.

Getting Help for Addiction

Many people don’t realize that steroids have properties that can drive addictive behaviors and can be hard to quit without professional help. In fact, just like with other drugs, many steroid users who attempt to quit on their own relapse.

For this reason, all persons who suffer from an addiction to substances are encouraged to undergo comprehensive treatment that includes evidence-based services vital to the recovery process, such as behavioral therapy, counseling, peer support, and aftercare planning. Harmony Treatment and Wellness offers these services to patients in both partial-hospitalization and outpatient formats.

If you are suffering from an addiction to steroids or other substance(s), help is available. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment options!

Signs That Someone Is on Drugs – Drug addiction is a devastating and potentially life-threatening disease that dramatically impacts the lives of those suffering as well as their loved ones. Although any intoxicating substance can be abused, some drugs have a higher risk of abuse and addiction than others.

It’s vital to recognize signs that someone is on drugs as soon as possible, so an intervention can be staged before his or her condition gets even worse. Moreover, the longer and more heavily a person abuses a substance, the more difficult it is to stop due to intense cravings and the development of withdrawal symptoms.

There is a myriad of common signs that someone is on drugs, as well as symptoms that are unique to the drug being used. Being able to identify these signs can help a person recognize when a loved one is using drugs and at high risk for severe consequences to their health, career, academic performance, or social life.

General Signs of Drug Abuse

If a person is abusing any substance, there are many universal signs to look for, such as the following:

• Difficulties at school, a loss of interest in school-related activities, tardiness, absenteeism, and declining or failing grades
• Poor work performance, being late to work repeatedly, and appearing tired and unconcerned with work responsibilities
• Altered physical appearance, such as wearing dirty, disheveled or inappropriate clothing and appearing to be disinterested in personal grooming or hygiene
• Changes in behavior, such as an increasing desire for privacy and isolation
• Significant adverse changes in relationships
• A noticeable lack of energy when engaging in daily activities
• Spending more money than they were previously, requesting to borrow money, or outright stealing from friends, family, and others
• Problems with financial management, such as not paying bills when they are due
• Changes in eating habits, such as a decreased appetite and related weight loss or significant weight gain
• Bloodshot eyes, poor skin tone or sores and blemishes, and appearing tired and fatigued
• Defensiveness and denial when confronted about substance abuse

Signs of Abuse Associated with Specific Drugs

In addition to the universal signs of drug abuse, specific signs of abuse are linked to particular kinds of drugs.

Stimulants

A person abusing stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamine (meth) may exhibit behavior changes, excessive talkativeness, increased energy, elevated mood, overly-inflated confidence, and accelerated breathing and heart rates. In some cases, users may exhibit paranoia and engage in aggressive or hostile behavior. If users snort drugs, nasal congestion and nosebleeds are also common symptoms of abuse.

Sedatives—Barbituates and Benzodiazepines

Certain depressants are prescribed to treat anxiety, panic, seizures, and insomnia. Benzodiazepines (benzos) include common medications such as Xanax and Valium.

Due to their high potential for overdose, barbiturates are not prescribed as much as they once were, but they are still sometimes used for the treatment of seizure disorders. Benzos have since became the preferred medications for these conditions.

A person who abuses any of these drugs may appear to be lethargic, dizzy, or depressed. They may complain of blurry vision, exhibit impaired coordination problems, and appear disoriented and confused.

Opioids

Opioids include prescription painkillers, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone, and illicit drugs, such as heroin. Signs of opioid use include profound sedation, memory impairment, difficulty concentrating, longer reaction times, lethargy, and mood swings. Since opioids can decrease activity in the digestive system, users sometimes also experience constipation.

Staging an Intervention

If you believe you are seeing signs that someone is using drugs, please seek help immediately. You or someone close to them may have to stage an intervention one or more times before he or she accepts treatment. An intervention is a structured discussion held between loved ones and the person abusing drugs or alcohol, often moderated by an interventionist or other addiction professional.

Effective interventions can help friends and family to express their feelings in a constructive manner. Interventions also reveal to addicts how their behavior impacts those they love. The goal is to help the person who is suffering make the decision to seek and receive addiction treatment.

When to Intervene

Addiction can be a very tough conversation to have with someone who is suffering from it. Many times, the loved ones of someone struggling with addiction are unsure of what to say. Furthermore, almost all addicts will initially deny that they have a problem, so open dialogue may be difficult to establish.

How to Stage an Intervention

Contact an Interventionist

To stage an intervention, seek out a person who specializes in interventions to ensure that conversation between all parties involved is productive. Hiring an interventionist is often the key to helping the addicted person reconsider their denials and face up to the reality of their condition.

In some cases, attempting to help an addict without professional support may actually make the problem worse. The addicted person may become defensive and hostile, and immediately deflect any legitimate concerns you bring up and instead point the fingers back at you and your own problems. Interventions work best with authoritative professional assistance that can prevent the addict from thwarting this process.

Form Your Intervention Group

After an interventionist has been contacted, they will begin to help the family and friends of the addicted person develop an intervention strategy. Each intervention is unique, as is the person suffering and his or her loved ones, so an interventionist will interview each concerned party to customize the plan to address each person’s specified needs.

People who will likely participate include spouses, siblings, parents, adult children, close friends, and sometimes co-workers. The intervention group may also benefit from the inclusion of the person’s minor children or grandparents, but they must be informed and able to tolerate intense moments that may occur during the intervention.

Learn and Rehearse

The specialist will teach the participating group members about addiction and recovery, and impart the knowledge required for the compassionate support the addict needs. To make sure that the intervention goes as smoothly as possible, group members must first rehearse and be prepared.

Typically, the person struggling with addiction is oblivious to how their decisions have impacted the people they care about around them. Drug abuse alters brain chemistry, causing the person to prioritize drug acquisition and use above all else in their life.

During an intervention, group members should have pre-written narratives that have been reviewed and approved by other group members. These stories are conducive to triggering a “moment of clarity” for the addicted person when they can finally begin to comprehend the damage their addiction has been causing themselves and others.

Be Prepared for Any Outcome

It’s impossible to predict an addict’s exact response to a confrontation. However, interventionists are professionally trained to deescalate hostile situations, so they may are nearly essential to maximize the chances for success.

Also, even in the face of a well-planned intervention, the person may refuse to seek treatment. Sometimes it takes more than once to convince the person that this is the best and only acceptable course of action. The important thing is to keep trying and never give up.

Treatment for Drug Addiction

Once a person accepts treatment, the next step is typically medical detox followed immediately by participation in a comprehensive treatment program. Harmony Treatment and Wellness offers these programs in both partial-hospitalization and outpatient formats.

During treatment, several different evidence-based approaches are incorporated, such as psychotherapy, counseling, education, and group support. These services are facilitated by caring addiction professionals who provide patients with the tools, resources, and support they so desperately need to be successful in their recovery.

We help people suffering from addiction restore sanity to their lives and begin to experience the happiness and harmony they deserve. Call us as soon as possible to find out how we can help!

Most public health institutions now recognize addiction as a disease, including the American Society of Addiction Medicine an American Medical Association. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines addiction as “a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain.”

A person can be addicted to an activity, such as gambling, or to a substance, such as alcohol. Addiction symptoms can range from mild to severe, and, in some cases, can last a lifetime. Just like cancer or diabetes, addiction is caused by many biological, behavioral, and environmental factors.

Indeed, experts believe that genetic predisposition may account for about half of the likelihood that a person will develop an addiction. Addiction, however, is also a product of the numerous physiological changes that occur when a person engages in substance abuse.

An individual’s genetic vulnerability to addiction combines with drug or alcohol abuse and other factors to establish an environment where addiction is able to take hold and thrive. Untreated addiction can result in severe physical health complications and mental disorders and usually escalates over time, becoming increasingly difficult to treat—and it can even become life-threatening.

How Substance Abuse Hijacks the Brain

People feel pleasure when basic survival needs, like hunger, are satiated. These enjoyable feelings are produced as a result of the release of certain brain chemicals, also known as neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. However, addictive substances also cause the brain to release unnaturally large amounts of these chemicals, which induces a euphoric high—a feeling that goes way beyond everyday pleasure and reward.

Over time, the continuous release of these neurotransmitters structurally alters regions in the brain associated with reward, motivation, and memory. As these changes emerge, the person requires the presence of the substance in their brain just to feel normal—a condition known as dependence. At this point, the person will likely also experience strong urges or cravings for the drug and will continue to use it in spite of the incurrence of adverse consequences.

Due to the brain’s tendency to diminish the response to drugs and alcohol as a result of repeated exposure, long-term use also typically results in tolerance, a state in which the person requires an increasing amount of a substance in order to achieve the desired effect. A person suffering from addiction may also neglect other responsibilities and activities in favor of drug or alcohol abuse. In the most severe cases, addiction can cause a person to stop caring about their own well-being or that of others.

These neurological changes can endure for an extended period, long after the person stops using substances. It is believed that such changes may leave those with addiction especially vulnerable to physical and environmental triggers associated with substance use, which significantly increases the risk of relapse.

Is Drug Addiction a Disease or a Choice?

A chronic disease is defined as a long-term, persistent condition that can usually be managed or controlled but not completely cured. Around 25-50% of people with a substance use disorder appear to have a severe, long-standing condition. For these individuals, addiction is an accelerating, relapsing disease that requires intensive treatment and long-term aftercare, close supervision, and the support of loved ones to maintain progress.

Even the most severe and chronic form of addiction can be managed, though, and many symptoms are reversible. This management is often achieved through participation in comprehensive addiction treatment and continued monitoring and support.

The Myth of Willpower and Moral Weakness

It is true that the initial decision to use a substance is a product of a person’s free and conscious choice—indeed, many addictions start when an individual uses a prescription drug. However, once the brain has been altered by repeated drug use, a person’s willpower becomes critically impaired, and they will have lost nearly all conscious control and restraint over their substance use.

Moreover, people who suffer from addiction should not be wholly blamed for their condition, and while all people make decisions about whether or not to use substances, they do not choose how their body reacts to those substances. This disparity between individuals is why some can seemingly control their substance use while others simply cannot. Nonetheless, many still believe that addiction reflects a person’s moral or societal failings.

This perception, however, is generally unhelpful, and instead groundlessly assumes that the person with the addiction could just stop if they were to embrace a morality that shuns drug or alcohol abuse. And yes, some people do this, and it can be a very beneficial tool in the context of a much broader approach to addiction. However, the overwhelming majority of people with addiction find it nigh-impossible to achieve and sustain sobriety through morality or spirituality alone.

Regarding personal accountability, though, one thing is true: people with addictions are responsible for seeking treatment and maintaining recovery. This decision can be exceedingly difficult to make alone, though. As such, the help of family and friends is vital for increasing the chances that the person suffering will enter into and remain in treatment, and take advantage of the care and support for as long as possible.

The Other Side

Some people contend that addiction cannot be a disease because it is provoked by the individual’s choice to use drugs or alcohol. But, as noted, while the first use may indeed be initiated by choice, once the brain has been altered by addiction, experts assert that the person then loses control of their urges and behavior.

It is important to note that the ability to execute a choice does not determine if a condition is a disease or not. For example, heart disease, diabetes, and even some types of cancer can all be impacted by personal decisions such as diet, exercise, smoking, etc. Ultimately, the development of many diseases is only partially impacted by certain lifestyle choices, not a direct choice in and of itself.

Others contend that addiction is not a disease because some people with addiction get better without treatment. But, this can also be said for other diseases, such as high blood pressure, which can oftentimes be resolved through lifestyle changes rather than by the long-term use of medication. Unfortunately, however, people looking to escape the most severe forms of addiction usually require a dramatic intervention followed by intensive treatment and long-term management.

Treatment for Addiction

Despite extensive research, we do not fully understand why some people can quit using drugs or alcohol on their own or through self-help meetings. Therefore, most people who are suffering from addiction are advised to take advantage of the most comprehensive treatment they can find.

The most effective approaches currently available involve the integrated use of psychotherapy, counseling, education, group support, health and wellness programs, and aftercare planning. These services are offered in a variety of formats, including partial-hospitalization and intensive outpatient.

Harmony Treatment and Wellness employs highly-skilled addiction professionals who facilitate treatments with care and expertise. Our center provides clients with the tools, resources, and support they need to experience a full recovery, prevent relapse, and enjoy long-lasting sobriety and well-being.

Although there is no single, perfect cure for addiction, it is very treatable. Contact us as soon as possible to find out how we help people free themselves from the grip of addiction and begin to experience the healthy and fulfilling lives they deserve!