Psychological Addiction: Meaning, Symptoms, Treatment

With most drugs and with alcohol, dopamine levels in the brain are changed. This alters the way your brain sees pleasurable experiences, ultimately replacing healthy activities with using drugs or alcohol to feel good. At the Detox Center, we are always available to help those fighting against addiction access the care they need. Detox is an essential step in addiction recovery, but by itself, it would be impossible to achieve sobriety. Those who skip attending a rehabilitation program will have a higher risk of relapse since they won’t be equipped with a comprehensive addiction treatment that includes lessons on how to cope.

At Santé Center for Healing, you undergo customized addiction recovery that focuses on long-term sobriety. You receive the care you need to overcome both types of dependency. You may have some underlying issues that prompted you to first use drugs or alcohol. It can help you address and manage recovery as you discover different ways to handle challenging emotions, stress, or social events that may act as a trigger to begin using drugs or alcohol.

Understanding Physical Dependence vs. Psychological Dependence

When the addictive substance is not supplied, an individual who has already formed a psychological dependence will experience physical withdrawal symptoms. Addiction, or the compulsive use of a substance like drugs or alcohol, can cause changes in the brain, including areas critical for judgment, decision making, behavior control, memory and learning. Addiction can also influence the part of the brain that controls pleasurable feelings, which can create a reward response or psychological dependence on a substance or activity. Brittany has been working in behavioral health since 2012 and is the Assistant Clinical Director at our facility. She has great experience with chemical dependency and co-occurring mental health diagnoses as well as various therapeutic techniques. Brittany is passionate about treating all clients with dignity and respect, and providing a safe environment where clients can begin their healing journey in recovery.

Emotional dependence is just as severe as physical dependence, and addressing the mental aspects of dependence is part of an effective recovery program. While it is common for an addicted individual to experience both physical and psychological dependence, some people don’t experience both at the same time. For example, many prescribed medications can create a physical dependence even when they are taken as directed by your physician.

At 1st Step Behavioral Health, we strive to make your addiction treatment experience as comfortable as possible.

Post-acute withdrawal syndrome is another example of psychological withdrawal. It’s a condition that sometimes pops up after the symptoms of physical withdrawal have subsided. Addiction is a brain disorder involving compulsive psychological dependence on alcohol substance use despite negative outcomes. It’s a complex condition with both psychological and physical elements that are hard to separate. Getting the rest your body needs can help heal and recuperate your body.

• Someone with a physical dependence on drugs and alcohol might show symptoms that others can notice.
• She graduated Magnum Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S.
• If you or a loved one is struggling with psychological dependence, remember that 7 Summit Pathways is here to help.
• From our professional medical staff to comfortable amenities, we offer what’s best to help you to feel right at home.
• Treating any co-occurring disorders such as anxiety and depression is key towards a full recovery.

As we’ve discussed, certain prescription drugs can create physical dependence, while also having a strong potential for abuse. Because of this, medical professionals need to understand exactly how these drugs are affecting a person. In doing so, they can alter the dosage or take preventative measures should an individual exhibit worrisome signs. The secondary effect occurs when a person begins to witness adverse effects https://ecosoberhouse.com/ on their life which result from the drug abuse (i.e. failing marriage, poor health, career troubles). In response to these negative circumstances, an individual may experience the aforementioned mental and emotional changes, as well as others. Patients can use medications to help re-establish normal brain function and decrease cravings. Medications are available for treatment of opioid , tobacco , and alcohol addiction.

Signs & Traits of a Psychological Dependence on Drugs or Alcohol

They’re picturing the loss of weight, lack of hygiene, and the loss of cognitive ability that can happen to those with a severe substance abuse disorder. Just as important is how psychological dependence can exact a toll on people. Midwest Recovery Center’s addiction treatment programs help individuals work through how to manage all aspects of their substance abuse issues. As drug or alcohol abuse accelerates to addiction, certain elements of a person’s thought processes and behaviors change. Dependence is when a person becomes reliant on drugs or alcohol to function.

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