FAQ about Addiction Treatment
The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section provides answers to questions on addiction and when to seek treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.
What is Drug Addiction?
Drug addiction is a chronic, complex and deadly disease that affects the the brain. When a person takes their drug of choice, it causes the brain to send signals that are abnormal. These abnormal signals can cause a person to become addicted to drugs or alcohol in a single use, or over time.
When a person is addicted, they may be dealing with one or more of the following: cravings for their drug of choice, lack of behavioral control, problems in their relationships, and relapse. Chemical addiction can seriously damage the health of the user’s vital organs and even cause death.
Addiction can cause people to fall into legal, economic and other serious problems. Because of the advancements in the medical and behavioral sciences, addiction is treatable with certain medicines and therapy.
If you or a loved one are addicted to drugs or alcohol, please contact us at 760-322-1777.
What are Substance Abuse Disorders?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, which is the book that helps clinicians diagnose their clients, says that Substance Use Disorders can be mild, moderate or severe. They occur when substance use leads to “significant impairment or distress” within a 12-month period. The four criteria that clinicians have to look at when making a diagnosis are the following: whether the client is facing problems at work, school, or home, whether the client is using the substance when it is physically hazardous, and whether the client is struggling with interpersonal relationships.
There are several different types of Substance Abuse Disorders. A few of them are Alcohol Use Disorder, Tobacco Use Disorder, Cannabis Use Disorder, Stimulant Use Disorder, Hallucinogen Use Disorder, and Opioid Use Disorder.
How do I know if I’m really addicted and in need of treatment?
The best way to determine whether you are addicted to drugs or alcohol is to talk to a licensed professional.
Self-educating by looking at online sources is a good idea. But, self-diagnosing or diagnosing without the help of experienced clinicians can be a very dangerous thing. It also delays getting real help. We highly recommend that you come to the Advanced Therapeutic Services facility to be evaluated if you believe you are suffering from an addiction.
What is detox?
If you are currently using, you must undergo detoxification before beginning a treatment program at ATS and demonstrate that you are physically stable for treatment.
The detox process usually lasts anywhere from three days to two weeks and involves getting drugs and/or alcohol out of your system. Detox is a necessary but painful process for many people because it involves withdrawal symptoms. If you are considering detoxing from drugs or alcohol, be sure to contact a licensed professional who can help you through the process. The withdrawals caused by detox can be severe and you may experience delirium, seizures, rapid heart rate and other serious symptoms. There are many facilities that specialize in detox.
Call the ATS Admissions Team to discuss treatment options for Addiction and Dual Diagnosis at 760-322-1777.
