No one has to tell you that drug problems are one of the hardest struggles a person can deal with. If you are reading this article, then you probably already know that. And since you know that you probably already know that NYC’s resources for helping drug addicts are spread thin.
But what you probably don’t know is that there are still options. Drug addiction cannot be overcome alone. That is a simple, chemical fact. And that means you will need help.
The problem is that not everyone will know what kind of help they need. And even if they do know this, they might not know how to get it. So, let’s take this one step at a time.
We will start by talking about the methods by which you can figure out what treatment you need, followed by what you can do about it.
The Problems you will Face
When you are an addict in recovery, it is not always obvious whether or not a health problem is directly or indirectly related to your addiction. For instance, withdrawal might make it hard for you to swallow food. It might also cause you to lose your appetite. These are direct effects of withdrawal. But the malnourishment that comes from these direct effects are indirect effects.
Common Direct Effects
Most of the direct effects of drug addiction and withdrawal are pretty well known. The most common are nausea and vomiting, as well as fatigue and flashes of hot and cold.
Your appetite will also go away. What is really happening is that your appetite is changing. The brain signals that carry cravings for food also carry cravings for your addiction. This means that as your cravings for your vice get worse, your cravings for food will go away.
However, they will come back as you weather the storm.
Common Indirect Effects
Since you can expect to have nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and flashes of hot and cold, it will not surprise you to hear that problems sleeping are common among recovering addicts as well.
Malnutrition, as we mentioned before, is also commonplace. If you are vomiting a lot, the muscles associated with the action will get tired, and parts of your body will get irritated.
And of course, you yourself will get irritated. One of the worst parts about addiction, both for the addict and their loved ones, is the changes in attitude that it causes. Be prepared for it.
What to do About These Problems
Something that is very easy to forget while in the midst of a battle against addiction is that your body is an ongoing chemical reaction. It is an incredibly complicated one, but the great thing about chemical reactions is that they are discreet structures, meaning they have limited parts.
Let’s think about the issues you can face in terms of physical and psychological problems and go over how to solve them. Breaking them down like this can make them easier to manage.
Physical Solutions
The most obvious solution to many withdrawal symptoms is methadone. This is a well-known drug for fighting addiction that is available at many rehabs. Check out Ascendent NY here for where to find a steady supply and get some long-term help without having to stay anywhere.
That will, for at least a while, take care of much of the nausea and vomiting. While those will reduce in intensity, you might still have muscle strain and irritation in and around your throat as a result. For that, we recommend drinking smoothies as much as possible.
These will make your throat less irritated, make vomiting less uncomfortable, and supply you with a good number of vitamins and minerals. However, also remember that what you are looking for in food is macronutrients—fats, proteins, and carbs. Smoothies can’t offer these.
Regarding cold and hot flashes, what you are actually feeling there is your nerves contracting and relaxing too much too fast. It has nothing to do with your actual body temperature.
For that reason, you do not need to wrap yourself to keep warm. But you can wrap yourself up tight and that will help. The human body has trouble feeling certain things at the same time that it feels pressure, so apply pressure to the parts of you that hurt or feel cold or hot.
Psychological Solutions
The big pain behind solving the psychological issues of drug addiction is that it is a problem that requires other people to solve. This is no simple task. There are many psychological issues that can come about as a result of addiction, including depression and anxiety problems.
These are all complicated by the irritability that addicts regularly display, leading to a cycle of acting out and then retreating into oneself. The best solution is group therapy. It is not only more readily available than one-on-one therapy, but it also helps people behave better due to the pressure to act right in the face of a larger group.
The other best option is online therapy. This can take the form of consistent therapy with the same therapist, or anonymous therapy. Both have their advantages. Not everyone wants repeat interactions, though those repeat interactions are also the foundation of trust.
Medical Emergencies
Lastly, let’s talk about medical emergencies. While addiction and withdrawal can cause a lot of horrible feelings, it is uncommon (though not impossible) for these symptoms to be life-threatening. However, you should be wary of them nonetheless.
If your chest hurts or your head won’t stop hurting, don’t be afraid to call 911 and get help.
Conclusion
Addiction is a disease. No one likes to acknowledge it, but it can happen to anyone. Sadly, the United States is not known for its accessible healthcare, so like any disease there are some barriers between you and proper treatment.
The most common barrier is figuring out what is wrong and what to do about it. So, learn your symptoms, know what you are dealing with, and respond to it accordingly.