What are the Signs and Symptoms of Addiction to Look For?

Wondering if you or a loved one is struggling with addiction? It can be challenging to make the decision to get help with addiction. But, knowing the signs and symptoms of addiction to look out for can help individuals struggling with addiction to understand they may need professional assistance. When it comes to addiction, there are a number of signs and symptoms to watch out for including physical signs and symptoms, social signs and symptoms, and psychological signs and symptoms.

Physical Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

When a person regularly uses addictive substances, a number of physical symptoms can occur including:

Withdrawal: When a person who is addicted to an addictive substance stops using the substance they depend on, they’ll experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may differ depending on what substance is being used. Examples of withdrawal symptoms can include cravings, nausea, stomach pain, headaches, and more.

Sleep Issues: People living with active addiction often experience sleep issues. This can include either sleeping too much or too little. This can occur due to stimulants keeping people awake. And, when the high wears off, catch up with sleep once a binge ends.

Weight Gain or Loss: Addictive substances can affect a person’s weight since they can increase or decrease appetite. For example, stimulants can make eating seem unappealing. However, marijuana is known to increase appetite and lead to overeating. Therefore, weight gain and weight loss can both be physical side effects of addiction.

Social Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

Along with physical signs and symptoms of addiction, there are some social factors that can be affected by addiction. Some of the social signs and symptoms of addiction can include:

Passion Changes: If you or a loved one stops doing what they’re passionate about or sacrifices their priorities in order to maintain the lifestyle of using drugs, this may be a sign of addiction. Often, people who are in the active cycle of addiction will give up the things they’ve previously enjoyed in order to pursue drug use.

Avoidance: People who are struggling with drug abuse and addiction may pull away from the people who love them for fear of judgment. So, not answering the phone, making plans and not showing up, and avoiding social events can be a sign of addiction.

Problems With the Law: Another social issue that can come with addiction is problems with the law. Since using addictive substances can impair judgment, people who use drugs or alcohol in excess may make impulsive decisions that can get them in trouble with the law. So, having legal issues can be a sign or symptom of addiction.

Financial Problems: Issues with money can be a sign of addiction as using drugs and alcohol in excess can become expensive. Moreover, having to pay for legal issues or other issues that may come up as the result of drug abuse and addiction can become expensive as well.

Psychological Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

While physical and social signs and symptoms of addiction can be identifiable, they’re not the only symptoms of addiction to look out for. Psychological signs and symptoms of addiction can be the most obvious to loved ones and individuals living with addiction and can include:

Impulsive Decisions: Addictive substances can influence a person’s decision-making as they can impair judgment. Some examples of impulsive decisions can include unsafe sex practices, drunk or high-driving, theft, and more.

Using Drugs or Alcohol Even if Physical Symptoms Appear: If a person is using drugs or alcohol even though they’ve noticed that they are experiencing physical issues as a result of drug or alcohol abuse, this can be a signifying factor of addiction.

Not Being Able to Stop Using: Another characteristic of addiction is the inability to stop using despite the consequences of using drugs or alcohol. So, if you or a loved one is not willing or able to stop quitting the use of drugs or alcohol, this may be a sign of addiction.

Getting Help for Addiction at Delray Center for Recovery

Are you noticing the signs and symptoms of addiction in your own life or the life of a loved one? If so, there is help available. Delray Center for Recovery offers outpatient care for people who are struggling with addiction. Find out more about how we can help on our website today.

Why a Sleep Routine is Essential for Addicts in Recovery

Sleep issues are a big issue for people in the active cycle of addiction. Whether it’s too much sleep or not enough sleep, sleep issues can impact a person’s daily life and bring about debilitating physical and mental health symptoms. During treatment, it’s important for addicts in recovery to understand the impacts of sleep. And, determine ways to adjust their sleeping habits in order to give themselves the best chance of recovery success.

Why Healthy Sleep Patterns are so Important

What’s so necessary about a healthy sleep pattern anyway? Well, the reason humans need sleep is to regenerate energy and give both our minds and bodies rest. During sleep, our bodies heal from the previous day and are prepared for the day to come. Without the recharge that sleep allows for, our bodies are not prepared for the psychological processing and physical functioning they are required to perform.

Average sleep for an adult human is 7 to 9 hours a night. Certainly, it’s not always feasible to get this amount, but this should be the length of time sleep you aim to get on a daily basis. When you consistently don’t get enough sleep, this can lead to issues like insomnia and sleep deprivation – both of which can lead to the development of both physical and mental health issues including depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, diabetes, and heart disease. Getting enough sleep is essential for good health on both mental and physical levels.

The Effects Addiction Has on Sleep

Abusing addictive substances can certainly lead to a lack of sleep. This is because addictive substances can affect our bodily functioning, keeping us from getting the sleep we need to remain mentally and physically healthy. Some of the effects that substances can have on sleep include:

Alcohol: Alcohol is a depressant that can keep us from falling into a deep and rejuvenating sleep (REM).

Stimulants: Stimulants like cocaine and speed keep the body and mind from drifting into sleep, keeping the body up and active.

Withdrawal: Withdrawing from specific substances, for example, opioids, can keep people from getting a healthy amount of sleep. And, since users of these substances will often stop using after a binge, they may find themselves having a hard time getting a healthy amount of sleep, leading to the negative effects that not enough sleep can bring.

The Importance of Sleep for Addicts in Recovery

Sure, when a person is in the active cycle of addiction, it is easy not to get enough sleep. But, this is true also for people who are in recovery. However, it’s essential to learn how to get enough sleep during treatment so that these habits can be implemented into a daily, sober life. When a person in recovery doesn’t get enough sleep, they are at a higher risk for developing concurring mental health issues like anxiety or depression, which can make the recovery process even more challenging. Learning new behaviors through treatment, like setting a sleep schedule, can help to reduce this risk.

Getting Help With Sleep in Recovery

If you find that you’re in the initial stages of recovery or are wanting to become sober and need help with sleep, treatment can help. Therapy and other resources are available to recovering individuals at Delray Center for Recovery so that individuals can learn the importance of sleep and how to achieve a healthy sleep schedule.

How Massage Therapy Works in Mental Health Recovery

Many people depend on massage therapy to alleviate symptoms of physical illness or injury. But, most people don’t know that massage therapy provides relief from mental illness as well. So, how does massage therapy work to promote healing and symptom relief, and what are the benefits of massage therapy throughout mental health recovery?

Who Can Benefit from Massage Therapy Sessions?

Massage therapy is available at Delray Center for Recovery for individuals living with a number of physical and mental health issues. Some of the issues and symptoms that massage therapy can help to address include:

  • insomnia
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • high-stress levels
  • depression
  • migraines

Massages Can Help to Reduce Stress and Anxiety Levels

Anxiety disorders and depression typically involve experiencing symptoms including high levels of stress. Stress is a debilitating symptom of mental health issues that can affect a person’s daily life on a negative level. However, individuals who utilize massage find that their stress levels decrease as a result of therapy sessions. This is because the stimulation of the muscles helps to promote relaxation. When we are more relaxed, we are less likely to react to stress in negative ways.

Massage therapy can promote relaxation in as little as 15 minutes, giving people who struggle with high-stress levels the results they need fast. Therefore, making massage therapy sessions are a quick and simple way to address symptoms of anxiety and depression disorders on a weekly basis. Scheduling massage therapy sessions is as easy as taking 30 minutes out of your schedule – helping to promote relaxation and manage stress levels quickly.

It Helps to Relieve Chronic Pain and Other Symptoms of Physical Issues

It’s not uncommon that people who suffer from chronic health conditions or physical injury develop mental health issues like high-stress levels. An elevation in stress levels can make dealing with physical illness or injury even worse, so it’s important for people dealing with these issues to find ways to manage stress. Adding a massage therapy routine for people diagnosed and living with physical ailments such as chronic conditions and injuries can help to reduce stress levels, better manage symptoms of depression, and stimulate relaxation. All of these benefits can help to improve a patient’s state of mind which allows for a better treatment experience for physical ailments and a better chance of recovery.

Massage Can Help With Sleep Issues

Disturbed sleep patterns are consistently an issue with people who suffer from mental health issues like mood disorders, PTSD, and more. Massage therapy helps to promote relaxation, which can also help to improve sleep. Not only does massage help to promote relaxation, but it can also help to reduce pain, which is another cause of sleep deprivation. So, not only can people who are living with mental health issues get better sleep as a result of using massage therapy, but so can people living with chronic pain.

Utilizing Massage Therapy Sessions for Mental Health Issues

If you’re looking for tools outside of traditional mental health treatments and think that massage therapy may be a good asset for your treatment planning, Delray Center for Recovery can help. We provide a number of holistic tools for people who want to better manage the symptoms of their mental health issues, including massage. To learn more about our services, therapies, and treatment approaches, visit us on our website.

Some of the Benefits of Stopping Drinking That May Surprise You

Stopping drinking alcohol when a substance use disorder has developed is challenging. There is no easy way to go about combating addiction. But, the benefits that a person can experience once they stop drinking is a silver lining that many addicts can look forward to on their journey toward mental healing. So, what are the physical and mental benefits of stopping drinking?

You’ll Get Better Sleep

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. This means that it affects the central nervous system in a way that slows down its natural functioning. So, as a result, drinking alcohol can make a person more drowsy and sleepy. People who drink heavily or for long periods of time eventually find that they have sleep issues as a result of alcohol’s impact on the central nervous system. These sleep issues can include insomnia, not getting enough sleep, sleeping too long, and being generally fatigued. When people who have a dependence on alcohol stop drinking, they find that they can manage their sleep much better and instill sleep schedules into their lives. Thus, giving them all the benefits that healthy amounts and quality of sleep offers.

Improved Brain Function

Neurotransmitters are the brain’s way of communicating with the rest of the body so that we can function in healthy ways. But, drinking alcohol slows the communication of neurotransmitters, resulting in a number of negative effects including a person’s access to memories, increased risk for depression, mood swings, and the dying off of brain cells. Unfortunately, some of the damage to the brain that is caused by alcohol may never recover. But, for many people who quit drinking, some of the brain cells that are damaged by drinking regrow and repair themselves. This can result in eventual restimulation of important brain functioning like the release and making of mood-regulating chemicals including dopamine and serotonin. Therefore, giving people who quit drinking a chance to be happy and have healthy and manageable emotions without using the crutch of drinking alcohol.

Better Physical Health

There are a number of negative health effects that alcohol has on the body. Fortunately, when someone stops drinking, the body’s cells are given a chance to repair themselves. So, for many people, the negative physical effects of alcohol on the body can be repaired after some time. And, the risk for long-term and chronic illnesses as a result of drinking alcohol are reduced. Some of the physical health advantages of stopping drinking can include:

  • better heart and cardiovascular health
  • a reduction in the risk of developing cancer as the result of alcohol use
    improved immune health (lower risk of immune system deficiencies and illness as the result of poor immune system functioning)
  • better liver functioning
Improved Mental Health

Along with physical health, the mental health of people who quit drinking improves. Mental health can be compromised due to excessive and continual drinking because alcohol negatively impacts the brain’s functioning. Furthermore, the negative consequences of drinking can lead to relationship issues, which can lead to debilitating mental health states. Addiction comes in many forms, and alcoholism is one of these forms. When someone becomes addicted to alcohol, their main priority is to mask their emotions with the dulling effects of alcohol, which can lead to a plethora of mental health issues.

Some of the mental health benefits to quitting drinking can include:

  • better relationships and improved communication skills/boundary setting
  • reduced stress and anxiety levels
  • reduced depressive symptoms
  • improved focus and concentration
  • better mood management and fewer mood swings
  • improved energy levels
  • improved self-esteem and confidence

Take Advantage of the Benefits of Quitting Drinking for Yourself

Ready to feel better and take back control that drinking has had on your life? Delray Center for Recovery is an outpatient mental health treatment facility located in South Florida. We provide outpatient assistance for people struggling with substance use disorder including alcoholism. Find out how we provide assistance for people struggling with drug abuse and alcoholism on our website to learn more.

What are the Benefits of Meditation for Addiction Treatment?

There are a variety of different therapies, both holistic and evidence-based, that are known to help people struggling with addiction. For many, it’s helpful to utilize and understand a number of different therapies in congruence with each other to get the best results. One of the types of therapies that many may not think about when it comes to addiction treatment is meditation. This ancient practice is a way to deal with unwanted thought patterns, behaviors, and emotions. So, it is crucially important and helpful for people struggling with substance abuse issues who want to get help and maintain a life of sobriety and recovery. So, what are the benefits of medication in an addiction treatment setting?

What is Meditation?

Before understanding how meditation can help in an addiction treatment setting, it’s helpful to understand what meditation is. Meditation is a method that has been used for thousands of years that allows individuals to evoke mindfulness, which is living in the present moment. It can also help to pair both the mind and body together which aids an individual in identifying and managing a number of negative issues including high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Since people living with addiction often have comprehensive issues like mood disorders, stress, and anxiety, meditation can be a very positive supplemental practice that can help long-term to reduce the risk of relapse during recovery.

During meditation sessions, individuals are guided through the use of breathing exercises, calming music, silence, or mental imagery in order to get to a place of peace. Then, they focus on the things that they are feeling and dealing with in the present in order to address and overcome these issues. The result is feeling less overwhelmed by emotions, understanding that things that aren’t controllable will never be controlled, and acceptance of the past.

Some of the Benefits of Meditation for People Dealing With Addiction

There are many types and options for meditation. So, different approaches to meditation may bring about different benefits. There are a number of benefits that a person struggling with substance abuse can expect to utilize during recovery from addiction including:

  • Reduced anxiety and stress
  • Better mood management
  • Reduction in depressive symptoms
  • Increase in production
  • Improved focus and creativity
  • Better sleep
  • Lowered risk for relapse
  • Improvement in flexibility
  • Better management of cravings and withdrawal symptoms

Meditation Can Help With Mood Management Which is Vital During Addiction Treatment

The brain exercise that is meditation is great for people dealing with addiction issues for a number of reasons. But, it’s specifically helpful in the realm of mood management. Often, people who are getting help through addiction treatment services find that meditation helps them to be in a better mood. This is because meditation stimulates the body to produce and release endorphins, which are responsible for helping the brain to regulate mood. These natural “feel good” chemicals can help people who are getting help for addiction stay more focused on their recovery goals as they are more likely to be focused and in the right state of mind to tackle their personal responsibilities (which includes getting help and staying sober).

Delray Center for Recovery is an addiction treatment resource located in South Florida that believes meditation is a key component of addiction treatment success. Find out more about our outpatient addiction treatment services from our website.