Addiction
Drug, Alcohol And Gambling Recovery
Managing Addiction
Addiction can be crippling to the individual and their loved ones.
Shaun Bergoff has a high level of experience in managing all aspects of Addiction and Dual Diagnosis. Shaun spent many years working within drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres, otherwise know as therapeutic communities.
WHAT IS ADDICTION?
When a person who uses drugs makes a conscious decision and repeated attempts to try and stop but cannot, this is called addiction. People do not start using drugs with the intention of becoming addicted, there is an over riding belief that they can control their intake even in the face of evidence that their usage has increased in amount and frequency.
Addiction is a brain-based disease, which impacts the normal functioning of Neurochemicals such as Serotonin, Dopamine and Norepinephrine, which is essential for mood stabilization. This is why addiction impacts the person Physiologically, Emotionally and Psychologically. Once a person becomes addicted it becomes all consuming resulting in chaotic unpredictable behaviour, volatile mood swings, which affects that persons family, friends, relationships and work.
ADDICTION TREATMENT
There is no one-way to treat addiction. However there are basic guidelines based on decades of experience and research, which targets the core fundamentals of addiction. One of the most important indicators to recovery and management of addiction is an individuals desire/motivation and commitment to treatment. There needs to be an understanding that there are no quick fixes and that any gains made is an ongoing management process.
The first step to the road of recovery is recognition that their drug abuse is a problem. Once a problem is acknowledged and help is sought, a professional should conduct a formal assessment. From this assessment one can address and prioritise concerns and offer various options for recovery. These options include: medication for any psychiatric conditions and if need be hospitalisation if the symptoms or behaviours are severe. Entering a De-tox facility as a short-term route to stop using, and allowing toxins to be released from body. In-patient facilities, such as a Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centres or Out–patient facilities, where the patient may attend various groups or programs on a daily basis or every other day, this may also include engaging with a psychiatrist or psychologist who is well versed in addiction recovery.
Possible Signs of Addiction
- A tendency to isolate from family and friends who are non-uses.
- Sleeping more often and for longer or not sleeping for days.
- A gradual change in personal hygiene, poor grooming/unkept
- A change in diet, eating less or binge eating
- Episodes of high energy, talking fast about many topics
- Quick changes in mood from normal to cranky
- Forgetfulness, disorganisation, impulsivity and distraction
- Consistently asking for or borrowing money
RESOURCES
