Helping a Family Member with Drug Rehab

It's difficult to discern when concern for a loved one's drug abuse turns into an drug addiction, but one thing is certain: denial and avoidance makes it easier for the cycle to continue. When you're in the middle and emotions are tense, it's natural to think you might have misjudged the situation. Putting the blame on yourself is easier than making the addict in your life face up to their actions.

The Canyon is here to assist you with advice and guidance from a professional interventionist if you're ready to deal with your concerns about the drug abuse of a family member or friend.

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Risk Factors for Drug Addiction That Requires Drug Rehab

Genetics, home environment, peer pressure and lack of a supportive community all play into the likelihood of your loved one trying drugs, using drugs and developing an addiction. But the number one factor for high risk of drug abuse is co-occurring psychological disorders and emotional problems that have not been treated. Individuals who suffer from depression, PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, and other disorders seek to self-medicate in an attempt to alleviate disturbing symptoms that could otherwise be controlled with medication.

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Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction That Require Drug Rehab

The progression of drug addiction begins with occasional drug use, followed by a need for regular drug use, either as a way to cope with day-to-day problems or simply to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

For teenagers, an abrupt change in school performance, attendance, or physical appearance can signal drug use - especially if unusual requests for money or disappearing personal items are involved.

Maintaining a constant supply of the drug, failing in attempts to stop using, loss of interest in usual activities, and involvement in risky behaviors while under the influence are all further signs of addiction.

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Drugs of Addiction That Require Drug Rehab

Inhalants are anything you breathe in to get high: glue, paint, paint thinners, gasoline, nitrous oxide, even fumes from correction fluid, felt tip markers, cleaning products, and household aerosols. Continued use can lead to seizures, brain, liver, and kidney damage, and death.

Cannabis compounds include marijuana and hashish, which, with extended use, results in poor memory, red/droopy eyes, difficult concentration, slowed reaction time, and paranoid thinking.

Opioids are pain-killers produced from, or manufactured to be similar to opium. Heroin, methadone, morphine, codeine, and oxycodone (OxyContin) contribute to an overly sedated and confused demeanor. Puncture marks, bruises, and engorged veins are usually present if injecting the drug is the primary method of intake.

Central nervous system (CNS) depressants can be organized into two separate categories. Barbiturates include Phenobarbital, amobarbital (amytal) and secobarbital (Seconal). Benzodiazepines or tranquilizers involve diaxepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), oxazepam (Serax), lorazepam (Ativan), chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and clonazepam (Klonopim). Both kinds of depressants cause drowsiness, dizziness, slurred speech, loss of coordination and depression.

CNS stimulants, on the other hand, create rapid speech, restlessness, insomnia, paranoia, decreased appetite and weight loss, along with irritability and depression as the effects of the drug wear off. Amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine and methylphenidate (Ritalin) are included here.

Hallucinogens - LSD, phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine (special K) - produce extreme distortions of reality which will eventually become permanent with continued exposure. Flashbacks of the hallucinations can occur many years later, even after use of these drugs has stopped.

Designer drugs, such as Ecstasy, provide a combined stimulant and hallucinogenic effect, along with elevated heart rate and blood pressure, toxicity of the liver and kidneys, as well as memory impairment.

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Causes of Drug Addiction: The Need for Drug Rehab

Continued use of any substance leads to addiction. Your body becomes used to having the drug and compensates by shutting down the manufacturing of similar chemicals in an attempt to avoid an overdose. The more you use, the more you need to use and the harder it is to break free because your body ceases to function in normal ways.

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Helping a Family Member with Drug Rehab at The Canyon

The Canyon is equipped to handle every level and every type of drug addiction. Our mission is to help free the body, mind, and spirit from toxic elements using a variety of traditional and holistic therapies. We work with you to discover the underlying reason for the addiction and learn new methods for approaching life's problems that you can take with you after your stay. This elite center offers a complete continuum of care that includes many treatment options, services, and learning tools that allow each client to build a lasting foundation of recovery.

If you have questions about helping a family member with drug rehab, call us at The Canyon today at .

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