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In the United States, millions of people are affected by drug addiction annually. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (NSDUH) – 2021 edition, 24 million people over the age of 12 met the criteria for having a drug use disorder (DUD). The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease. The affected person has compulsions to seek and use their preferred drug even in the face of any harmful or legal consequences. They continue with the behavior because their addiction changes the chemical structure of the brain.
No one gets addicted overnight, and no one decides that they want to become addicted to a substance. Developing an addiction is a slippery slope that takes time. It is built over successive decisions.
No two individuals are exactly alike, and no two addictions are the same. The course of an addiction depends on many factors, including:
The vast majority of people with a substance use disorder (SUD) will experience the onset of their addiction in five separate stages. Being aware of the stages is crucial. It helps us recognize the early signs of SUD. Family members, friends, and professionals have a better chance of intervening and improving the chances for a successful recovery.
The first time someone experiments with a drug often takes place at a party or hanging out with friends. Sometimes, the first use is for a prescription pain reliever. Once the person uses the drug for the first time, they know how it makes them feel. Some people can control their drug use after the experimentation stage. For others, the first use is like a hook that pulls them in.
The next stage of addiction is using drugs regularly until it becomes a habit. This stage includes people who use illegal substances recreationally. It also includes people who continue taking prescription medications after their prescription runs out.
During this stage, the person may notice that it takes longer to recover from their high. This effect occurs because their brain needs more time to chemically repair itself as it tries to come into balance after the drug use.
Drug tolerance is one of the first warning signs of addiction. It means the person’s body and brain have become used to the amount of drugs being taken. To feel the same effect of the drug as before, the person needs to take more of it.
During this stage, the person may often exhibit risky behavior as their drug abuse worsens. They may think they are okay to drive after using their drug of choice, not realizing how impaired they are. Their substance use may affect their performance at work or school. Personal relationships are often strained as a result of the drug use.
During this stage, the person needs a higher level of drugs to feel good and to keep up with their increasing tolerance levels. Without a constant supply of drugs, the person will experience withdrawal symptoms.
Their brain has become chemically accustomed to the drug and doesn’t function well without it. The brain creates intense physical and psychological cravings for the person’s drug of choice. Only using the drug can make these negative symptoms temporarily go away.
Once an addiction develops, a person can’t function in daily life without using their drug of choice. Their brain has changed chemically, resulting in a chronic brain disease.
Since going through withdrawal is such an intense experience (physically and psychologically), the person will continue to use drugs to avoid the pain involved and to feel, “normal.” They don’t feel pleasure from using drugs. Instead, they feel compelled to use it despite its negative impact on their health, work, school, personal relationships, or anything else meaningful.
Drug use disorders affect the areas of the brain related to these areas:
Once the chemical changes happen in a person’s brain, it is almost impossible to stop using drugs without professional help from a drug rehabilitation center.
Every client entering Anabranch Recovery Center provides their health history, completes a usage assessment with a doctor, and completes a physical exam. Our medical and therapeutic team assesses the client’s risk factors for withdrawal at our drug detox center in Indiana so that they can complete this process in a caring, supportive, and compassionate manner. We provide medications to keep our clients comfortable, as necessary.
A residential treatment program for drugs, also called inpatient rehabilitation, is an intense, structured form of addiction treatment. Clients live in a facility dedicated to working on their recovery. Inpatient drug rehab in Indiana is designed to help people struggling with drug addiction by providing a treatment environment where clients can focus solely on their recovery.
Located outside Indianapolis, Anabranch’s in-person intensive outpatient program is available to clients who need more care than in a traditional outpatient drug treatment program.
Our in-person intensive outpatient program (in-person IOP) is a comprehensive and integrative treatment approach that includes:
Clients participate in therapy each day and return home at night. Depending on their progress, the part-time program lasts between six and 12 weeks.
Located near Indianapolis, Indiana, Anabranch’s Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program provides outpatient rehab services to clients who need more care than traditional outpatient rehab visits but also want to participate in work, school, and family responsibilities.
Our outpatient includes individual counseling sessions with a licensed counselor or therapist. The goal of providing outpatient programs to addiction treatment clients is to provide them with comprehensive, individualized care. We want to support them in their recovery journey while allowing them time to continue with their daily responsibilities.
Participants undergo an assessment and evaluation process to determine their treatment needs and suitability for the virtual program. Based on the evaluation, a client may receive an individualized treatment plan in this program that includes a combination of therapy types, support services, and educational components.
The virtual outpatient program is held in the evening so that clients can attend to work or school and family responsibilities during the day.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a drug addiction near Indianapolis, help is available. Anabranch Recovery Center is a full-service facility staffed by caring professionals. We offer evidence-based treatment to help our clients get (and stay) on the road to recovery. Our treatment plans address the stresses that each person faces. Reach out to us today to start the journey to a life free from the influence of drugs.
