If you’re the parent of a child who is struggling with an addiction to alcohol or drugs, it’s challenging. You may not understand how or why your child is continuing to turn to substances when it’s causing so much harm. To help your child overcome their addiction, you need to understand the disease. One of the primary reasons why people don’t quit abusing substances on their own is due to their physical dependence on the substance.
It is crucial to remember that addiction is a disease. After alcohol or drug abuse occurs, brain chemistry is altered. When this drug dependency occurs, the body is used to functioning with the substance and will want to continue this level of use.
Understanding Physical Dependence
The body is incredibly complex, and it’s always trying to balance itself out to help us live healthy lives and survive. Whenever a new substance enters the system in excess, the body must change the way it balances the system. As a substance is continuously entering the body in excess, the body’s new normal is with the substance in it. When a substance like alcohol or drugs begins to leave the system, the person can experience distressing symptoms of withdrawal.
Some of the symptoms of withdrawal from physical dependence include:
- Aches and pains
- Body tremors
- Increased heart rate
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nausea
- Sweating
The list of symptoms of withdrawal from drugs or alcohol is actually much longer, and it’s different for everyone. Depending on the substance the person is addicted to, the symptoms can vary and be quite dangerous. This is why you should never try to quit using drugs or alcohol on your own and should seek medical help. Medical detoxification is the safest way to get off of these substances because you have medical professionals with you at all times.
If withdrawal symptoms occur when you or a loved one abstains from drug use, reach out for drug rehab programs to stop addiction.
It’s More than a Physical Dependence
Overcoming the physical dependency on drugs or alcohol is only a small part of the recovery process. When looking for an addiction treatment center in Boise, it’s important to find a facility that helps with psychological dependence as well. One of the major causes of relapse is people think recovery only involves getting through withdrawal.
The reality is that those who have an addiction have a difficult time coping with life as a whole and must learn a better way. This usually includes a mix of outpatient therapies that may include:
- Group therapy program
- Individual therapy program
- Psychotherapy programs
- Relationship therapy program
- Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT)
How Addiction Treatment Helps
Addiction treatment is about getting down to the root causes of a person’s addiction through individual and group therapy. Working with a therapist can help your child understand why he or she is turning to alcohol or drugs in the first place. From here, a therapist can help guide him or her in a new direction by teaching your child healthy coping skills. You will also get involved so you can learn the best way to support your child with the recovery process.
Zelus Recovery is an addiction treatment program that helps young adults overcome addiction. We specialize in treatment for young adults because they struggle with different issues than other generations. Here, they’ll get the personalized support they need while being surrounded by their peers. Some of the addiction treatment programs we offer here include:
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Early intervention program
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Outpatient treatment program
- Relapse prevention program
If you’d like to learn more about Zelus Recovery and how we can help you overcome physical dependency, contact us today at 208.518.0797.
