Signs, Symptoms, and Help for Drug Problems and Substance Abuse

Some people are able to use recreational or prescription drugs without ever experiencing negative consequences or addiction. For many others, substance abuse can cause problems at work, home, school, and in relationships, leaving you feeling isolated, helpless, ashamed and for this not reaching our and seeking help.

If you’re worried about your own or a friend or family member’s drug abuse, it’s important to know that help is available. A Mission For Michael will start by helping you to learn about the nature of drug abuse and addiction—how it develops, what it looks like, and why it can have such a powerful hold—will give you a better understanding of the problem and how to best deal with it. Which leads to my next segment…

Understanding drug use, drug abuse, and addiction

People experiment with drugs for many different reasons, and identifying these reasons is critical to substance abuse treatment. Many people first try drugs out of curiosity, to have a good time, because friends are doing it, or ease another problem, such as stress, anxiety, or depression. Drug use doesn’t automatically lead to abuse, and there is no specific level at which drug use moves from casual to problematic. The use and level of abuse varies by individual. Drug abuse and addiction is less about the amount of substance consumed or the frequency, and more to do with the overall consequences of the drug use. No matter how often or how little you’re consuming, if your drug use is causing problems in your life—at work, school, home, or in your relationships—you likely have a drug abuse or addiction problem.

A Mission for Michael substance abuse treatment center and Dr. Richard Granese MD would love the opportunity to speak with anyone in need or that may have a problem; and more importantly, A Mission for Michael would love to help and be part of your recovery.

It may be much easier than you think, and chances are your health insurance will cover your treatment.

Next week we will dive into why some drug users become addicted, while others dont.