Addiction Affects Physical Health Adversely: 6 Tips to Avoid It

The risk of getting addicted or at which speed the addiction develops all depends on the drug and the person. Certain drugs, such as opioid painkillers, pose a greater threat with a higher risk and can quickly lead to increased addiction.

It becomes highly challenging when people attempt to avoid or quit it, as this often leads to intense cravings and physical discomfort, medically known as “withdrawal syndrome“.

One can definitely get help for drug addiction recovery and maintain a drug-free lifestyle with the help of healthcare providers, family, friends, and support groups, and by participating in organized treatment programs.

What is Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction which is also known as substance use disorder is a condition that affects the brain and behavior of a person, which makes it difficult for them to control the intake of legal or illegal drugs or medications.

There are several substances that are involved like alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, and more. There are many ways for someone to start getting addicted. Most people start on their own or get into it because of peer pressure. In some cases, addiction starts with developing the use of prescribed medications.

Drug addiction can be cured only with proper medication, guidance, and positive support, and rehab centers play a vital role in helping the addicted to recover so for example, if you are living in Ohio you can reach out to rehab centers in Cincinnati Ohio to get proper addiction recovery treatment. This is one of the best ways to free oneself from drug addiction as you will always be monitored and guided.

How Addiction Affects Physical Health Adversely

We’ll start with how addiction can impose harmful effects on your physical health. There are various health problems including lung or heart disease, stroke, cancer, and mental health conditions that are commonly experienced by people who struggle with drug addiction.

You can find out if a person is addicted to drugs with the effects caused by long-term usage through medical examinations like scans, chest X-rays, and blood tests. Let us take smoking as an example, it is recognized as a harmful addiction to tobacco as it can cause many types of cancer, likewise, methamphetamine can cause several dental issues called “meth mouth”, and opioid painkillers can cause overdose and result in fatal consequences.

Furthermore, there are certain substances like inhalants that can potentially destroy or harm the nerve cells in the brain and also in the peripheral nervous system which is the part of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord.

The use of drugs also increases the chances of acquiring infections like HIV, hepatitis C, liver disease, and such by some unhygienic practices like sharing an injection and unprotected sex. Intaking drugs through injections can also go to the extent of affecting your heart valve infections and skin infections due to a lot of exposure to bacteria.

Here are Some Tips to Avoid Addiction

1. Identify What Triggers You

Every individual has their own personal factors that trigger them to think about drugs or alcohol and for some, it is stress that makes you take the next step of trying to relieve it by drinking alcohol or getting high. And for some people, simply living in an area with a club nearby can be a reason to make them want to try getting drunk.

The first step to avoiding addiction recovery is to figure out what triggers you by asking yourself these questions:

• What situations trigger your thoughts of abusing substances?
• When do you find yourself thinking about drugs or alcohol the most?
• What do you think is the benefit of using drugs or alcohol? Do you think it might be a temporary relief and escape from stress and responsibilities?

There are different places, situations, and times that specifically trigger different people. But when you understand in what area and when you become the most vulnerable to addiction, you can develop a strategy to avoid or navigate around them. By addressing these situations where you are at potential risk of abusing substances, you can effectively avoid them.

2. Reduce Your Stress

We face numerous challenges that put us through immense stress at work, school, and home in our daily lives but it is important to recognize the buildup of stress.

You can easily identify it through signs of physical changes like tense shoulders and headaches, along with a desire to leave a place, which can indicate an increase in your stress levels. Here are a few tips to quickly reduce your stress.

• Close your eyes and take deep breaths.
• Start counting from 1 to 10 until you feel calm.
• Exercise a lot since it can relieve your stress and tension.
• Engage in physical activities that you enjoy the most like walking, swimming, listening to music, etc.

3. Ask for Help

As we have seen before the triggers of addiction differ from person to person and for certain individuals it is directly linked to people. The presence of specific individuals and or observing their actions can have triggered the effects of addiction by making them lose control. You need to admit that you need assistance when you feel the trigger intensifying due to someone’s behavior or presence.

You should first seek help from specialists in addiction recovery centers for example rehab centers in Cincinnati Ohio, your sponsor, or a trusted friend. Seek immediate help and guidance and support from people you trust without any delays or hesitation.

4. Keep Yourself Busy and Motivated

It can be difficult to avoid boredom and certain situations act as a triggering point mainly during the recovery process. Try to fight the urge to use drugs when you are feeling bored by following these steps:

• Create a list of activities to do when you are bored
• Spend some time outdoors, explore a local park, play sports, or gardening
• Join new communities or groups through places of worship, recreation centers, and charities, or volunteer in something to feel fulfillment and connection with others.

By staying proactive and engaging in activities, you can manage your boredom and reduce your desire to do drugs.

5. Learn and Understand Your Addiction

You can take some effective steps to avoid addiction by having knowledge about your addiction, the recovery process, and your personal triggers. You should build even stronger communication and relationships with your loved ones.

You should also learn what is the reason behind your addiction and what conditions are co-occurring. There are various areas in your life where you can look for new opportunities for personal growth.

Triggers are a part of everyone’s life, but how you respond to them shapes your future. So, if you feel like your face triggers and it is hard to avoid them, seek help immediately from rehabilitation centers like the Center for addiction treatment in Cincinnati.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does addiction physically alter the brain?

Drugs like marijuana and heroin mimic the natural neurotransmitters in your body and alter the activity of neurons in your brain. This gives them the freedom to activate the neurons and interfere with the signal transmissions.

2. Can physical health be fully restored after overcoming addiction?

You should keep in mind that your body needs time to adjust and accept if you start a new medication. Again, this varies from person to person as some may recover quickly without experiencing any side effects and vice versa. However, if you experience withdrawal symptoms or any side effects, it is best to consult your general practitioner before discontinuing any medication.

3. What are the most effective strategies for preventing addiction?

Here are some of the effective strategies to prevent yourself or others from addiction:

• Spread awareness of the harms of using drugs
• Educate people to prevent getting addicted
• Identify and find solutions to the triggers
• Work as a community to eliminate addiction
• Environmental approach

Break the Chains of Addiction

Each drug has different effects on people like sleeplessness, exhaustion, reduced breathing, or dreams. Individuals with chronic usage of drugs are all affected by addiction, poor physical and psychological health, and also prone to heart, kidney, and liver-related diseases which will make their home, work, and personal life and relationships strained and complex.

The only way to properly close the gap between a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle for an individual who is addicted to drugs and is on their way to recovery is to provide them the personalized care they need.