You want to live a purposeful life and gain financial independence after rehab. However, circumstances are different for everyone. Finding meaningful employment may be challenging if you were unemployed when you entered treatment. If you are returning to a job, you may be worried about what to expect.

On the other hand, getting a new job can also be an uphill task, mainly because your resume will have a gap. It becomes even more difficult if your potential employer discovers you are a recovering addict. But all is not lost. Rest assured that getting a job after recovering from addiction is possible. Read on to find out how.

Finding Work After Rehab

According to research, getting employed after rehab can help you avoid substance abuse because the job will instill purpose and meaning into your life.

Notwithstanding, Massachusetts General Hospital’s Recovery Research Institute study found that about 9.2% of recovering addicts with substance use disorder (SUD) choose not to look for jobs.

The main reason is that they fear being stigmatized. Nonetheless, it pays off if you overlook the stigma and start rebuilding your life. Here are some tried-and-true strategies for resuming your career after rehab.

Use Your Network

When looking for a job, nothing stops you from talking to friends, relatives, and even former work colleagues. Furthermore, you can also use the network you created while at the rehabilitation center. Just be open and tell everyone that you are job-hunting.

For example, you can talk to your sponsors, doctors, therapists, counselors, and support group members. Just identify individuals who can help shape your future positively. Apart from informing you about job opportunities, these people can also offer references to potential employers. It’s good they’ll already know you’ve recovered from your addiction.

Use Assistance Programs

The best way to restart your career after rehab is to look for local and government agencies that aid recovering addicts in getting jobs. You may receive help with everything from job placement to your job search. Some agencies can even pay for transportation to a job interview and back. Better still, local and government agencies run educational and training programs for people recovering from alcohol and substance abuse.

Good examples are the services and programs the Department of Mental Health and Addiction in Connecticut offers. The department provides soft and employable skills courses and other resources related to employment opportunities for recovering alcohol and drug addicts.

You can check for similar or even better programs in your state. The advantage of such programs is that they are specifically tailored to serve the needs of recovering addicts. Besides, you won’t be alone. So, there’s no need to worry about stigmatization or discrimination.

Put Your Well-Being First

There is a famous quote in Alcoholics Anonymous: “Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.” Addiction is a chronic brain disease. It can be treated and managed but not cured. In simple terms, recovery is a lifelong process. Therefore, you must keep working on your recovery for the rest of your life by attending counseling sessions, therapy group meetings, and joining support organizations like Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.

Whatever type of job you are looking for, it should not take precedence over activities to maintain your sobriety. Prioritize the activities that contribute to your well-being. At best, you can look for a job that seamlessly fits your recovery program. If anything, there’s no need to look for a job, get it, start working, and then slip back to drug and alcohol use. Your job should also contribute to your recovery by keeping you busy and ensuring your financial freedom.

Knowing Your Legal Rights

As a recovering drug addict, most people may be reluctant to hire you. But according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.), no employer should discriminate against you because you are a recovering addict. Doing so is illegal. Furthermore, no one can discriminate against you simply because you’re enrolled in an addiction recovery program.

Go Online

The internet has many resources to help you restart your career after rehab. These resources can also help you live a meaningful life. For example, Indeed also has a webpage where you can search for a job after rehab.

The advantage of using job boards for recovering addicts is that potential employers post those knowing fully well that they target people with drug-abuse histories. So, you’ll be the right candidate for the job — no stigmatization or discrimination. Other websites that can get help you include the National H.I.R.E. Network, The Salvation Army, The National Skills Coalition, and The Department of Labor’s One-Stop Career Center.

Choose Flexible Jobs

In early recovery, coping with a full-time job that requires a serious commitment may be tricky. Too many responsibilities can stress you out and lead to a relapse. Remember that too much pressure is a trigger to go back to your drug or alcohol use.

It’s better to start slowly and scale up as you continue with your recovery process. You can look for a job with light duties or a part-time job to allow you time to attend recovery group meetings and get used to working again. You could also work online for the time being to avoid interacting with your old drinking buddies.

Volunteer Frequently

Some employers are unwilling to hire people in rehab programs and those in recovery. To get around this, you can offer to volunteer to prove your worth. By volunteering, you’ll find something to occupy your time while, at the same time showing your boss that you can deliver, no matter if you are in the drug recovery process. You never know. When you can convince your boss that you can work, they can decide to absorb you into the company.

Volunteering is also a way of injecting new life into your resume. Most potential employers prefer those who work not for money but for passion. Volunteering will show them you are passionate about what you can do and are not in it for the money.

Additionally, if you are occupying your time doing positive and productive things, you are less likely to slide back into destructive behaviors. You’ll also learn new skills and enjoy many health benefits, such as increased fitness, decreased levels of stress and depression, and improved cognitive capacity.

Don’t Tell a Potential Employer About Your Past

You may be asked questions about your past when you are called for an interview. One mistake to avoid is mentioning your struggle with addiction, how you went to rehab, and how you are now recovered and ready to work. You might think doing this will show your honesty, but it may work against you. Mentioning your struggle with addiction will give the interviewers a negative impression of you.

Note that the law protects your privacy even during a job interview. As a result, even the interviewers should refrain from forcing you to reveal something you do not want to. Specifically, the E.E.O.C. (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) regulates the questions you can be asked in an interview.

Under the E.E.O.C. guidelines, your potential employer can’t ask whether you use legal drugs, like prescription medications or alcohol. They are also not allowed to ask questions that may reveal that you are struggling with SUD.

This doesn’t mean the E.E.O.C. protects people who use illegal drugs; it only means that potential employers should not ask people about their legal drug use. But the E.E.O.C. guidelines allow potential employers to ask whether you’ve used illegal drugs or have any criminal records or convictions.

Do Not Let Setbacks Demoralize You

As you start rebuilding your life after rehab, you’ll encounter many setbacks when looking for a job. Some employers will discriminate against you without your knowledge.

Some of your friends and family members may discourage you from searching for a job by telling you you are unemployable. However, you must keep your eyes on the goal. Don’t waste time or argue with negative people. If you fail an interview, pick yourself up and head for the next one.

Keep focusing on your ability, efforts, and energy. And remember to surround yourself with people who understand and encourage you. If you want to improve your skills, go ahead, and take some short courses to boost your resume.

Can You Get Your Original Job Back After Rehab?

The possibility of getting your job back after completing your rehabilitation program depends on your agreement with your boss before leaving for your treatment, job policies, and the laws protecting employees.

If you go for treatment without informing your employer — maybe if you’ve been taken to the rehab by your family member — then you must have evidence to present to your employer after leaving the rehab. Remember that all addiction treatment plans are evidence-based, long-lasting, comprehensive, and must be documented. So, you’re expected to have something to show your boss when you want to return to work.

Before Leaving for Treatment:

• Explain to your boss that you are going to rehab and how long you will be away.
• Be honest about how severe your condition is.
• Provide your employer with the latest updates on any projects you are working on.
  • This will help with assigning someone to take them over temporarily.
• Explain how you intend to compensate for the lost time when you return.
• Ensure your employer knows you intend to return to work after the treatment.
• Once you start the program, update your employer about your progress.

You can use the Employee Assistance Program provided by the company you work for to find out if there are any rehab facilities and counseling services nearby. The company’s human resource manager should determine how the rehab program will affect your work and how to help you recover lost time. If you do everything professionally and with honesty, your employer will likely support your treatment and readily accept you back after rehab.

Tips for Returning to Work After

Treat your rehab program as a life lesson. Work hard on your recovery by involving yourself in productive activities to distract you from drugs and alcohol. Dedicate yourself to work knowing that, although your employer can’t fire you because you are recovering from addiction, they are free to fire you if your performance declines.

When you return to work after rehab:

• Utilize the coping skills you learned in treatment when stressful situations arise.
• When possible, reduce interruptions that may impact your concentration.
• Manage your time effectively with tools like calendars and to-do lists.
• Establish short-term goals and work toward achieving them.
• Exercise regularly
• Eat healthy and maintain a balanced diet.
• Keep your mind and body healthy by getting enough sleep.
• Avoid places and situations where you know there will be drugs or alcohol.
• Recovery is an ongoing process, so keep working on your program.

Most employers do allow their employees to return after rehab. Some employers sponsor their employees to enroll in rehabilitation programs like Granite Recovery Centers. In most cases, this happens when the employees are extremely good at what they do. Your job security after rehab depends so much on your employer. It would be best to discuss your treatment with your employer before leaving.

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Unfortunately, not all individuals use Neurontin as prescribed. Sometimes, people take more than the prescribed dose, leading to severe outcomes and even deaths. The considerable rise in the number of people abusing this drug is due to its significant relief levels. Substance misuse of gabapentin can produce a marijuana-like high effect, a sense of calm and relaxation. It can also enhance the euphoric effects of heroin. Gabapentin is accessible and is sold for less than a dollar for each pill, which has increased the chances of potential abuse. Here are more in-depth details about the abuse of gabapentin and the treatment options available.

What Is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is an FDA-approved prescription drug usually available with the brand name Neurontin. You can get gabapentin through tablets, capsules, or an oral solution. It’s approved to relieve pain from shingles and to treat seizures by reducing the abnormal excitement of the brain’s nerve cells. The drug can also be used to relieve restless legs syndrome.

When taking Gabapentin, follow the pharmacist or doctor’s prescription to avoid under or overdosing. Although it’s recommended that individuals swallow the pills, people who abuse gabapentin may take the pills with benzodiazepines and opioid drugs to enhance the euphoric effects. Others may decide to crush the pills alone and snort the powder.

Gabapentin Abuse Potential

Medical experts have prescribed gabapentin for off-label use for years because it was presumed to have little or no abuse potential. However, this has changed, as several reports have revealed increased gabapentin abuse in recent years.

Although gabapentin isn’t a controlled substance at the state level, some states have chosen to classify it as Schedule V due to the increased misuse cases. Clients abusing this drug say it produces a euphoric feeling like using cannabis. Some main motivations for using gabapentin include self-medication, recreation, and self-harm. Also, abuse tends to occur in individuals already addicted to opioids as they seek to enhance the effects of these drugs. Others may use this drug to manage the withdrawal symptoms of misusing other drugs. However, using gabapentin simultaneously with drugs like opioids or alcohol is dangerous. It increases the risk of severe side effects, such as serious breathing problems, especially for people with respiratory-related risks.

Side Effects of Gabapentin Abuse

If you think your loved one is misusing gabapentin, it may be difficult to distinguish the side effects of abuse from regular use. Typically, clients abusing Neurontin have intense side effects, both physical and psychological, that can escalate to suicidal thoughts.

If you suspect someone is misusing gabapentin, look out for the following warning signs:

• Irritability
• Low Energy
• Memory Loss
• Anxiety
• Throat Irritation
• Extreme Drowsiness
• Feelings of Hostility
• Constipation
• Fluid Retention in the feet, arms, and legs
• Depression
• Dry Mouth
• Suicidal Thoughts
• Lack of Coordination
• Mood Changes

Can You Overdose on Gabapentin?

In a recent study by the CDC about gabapentin overdoses, up to 9.7% of 58,362 overdose deaths showed positive traces of gabapentin in 2019 and 2020. There is a high chance of an overdose if a client illegally uses gabapentin or takes more than the doctor’s prescription. Also, people who abuse this drug to get that high feeling have an elevated risk of overdose. Therefore, gabapentin overdose is either on purpose or accidental. Unfortunately, there is an increased risk of gabapentin overdose, especially when a client has an existing mental health condition like depression.

Using too much gabapentin results in more pronounced versions of the usual side effects. Since this drug is a central nervous system depressant, an overdose slows down the brain and leads to the following side effects:

• Slurred Speech
• Vomiting
• Loss of Consciousness
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Rapid Heart Rate
• Dizziness
• Double Vision
• Lethargy
• Drowsiness

Also, please be aware that using gabapentin with other drugs can easily lead to an overdose and a fatal outcome.

Can You Become Physical Dependent on Gabapentin?

Continued misuse of Neurontin can make your body physically dependent on this drug. If you suddenly decrease the amount or stop taking gabapentin, you’ll experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Since Neurontin has a short half-life of about five to seven hours, clients can experience withdrawal symptoms in one to two days after discontinuing high levels of gabapentin in young to middle-aged individuals.

Signs and Symptoms of Gabapentin Addiction

If you suspect your loved one may be using this prescription medication for recreational purposes or abusing it and has become addicted to the drug, here are some additional warning signs that they can display:

• Seeking more pharmacists or doctors to get more doses.
• Changes in social circles or habits
• Refusal to quit using gabapentin despite financial, legal, and social consequences.
• Switching doctors if the original one refuses to prescribe the drug again.
• Exaggerating symptoms to the medical expert
• Taking extra doses of the medication
• Changes in grooming habits or hygiene
• Forging prescriptions

Withdrawal Symptoms of Gabapentin Addiction

The withdrawal symptoms exhibited by clients addicted to gabapentin are like those of abruptly discontinuing benzodiazepines and alcohol. A person may experience the following withdrawal symptoms:

• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Seizures
• Blurred vision
• Restlessness
• Nausea
• Excessive sweating
• Pain
• Headaches
• Increased heart rate
• Itchy skin

Note that the withdrawal process may vary from person to person. Below are factors affecting gabapentin withdrawal symptoms:

Genes

A person’s genes play a critical part in the likelihood of developing gabapentin dependence or the severity of the dependency, which impacts the withdrawal symptoms.

Length and Amount of Use

People who have consistently abused or misused gabapentin are more prone to drug dependency and might experience severe withdrawal symptoms.

Individuals who have taken high Neurontin doses have a higher likelihood of greater dependence, which significantly impacts the withdrawal symptoms.

Medical Conditions

Persons using Neurontin to treat medical conditions such as seizures may be highly prone to experiencing the same symptom if they abruptly stop using gabapentin.

Treatment Options for Gabapentin Addiction

People who are addicted or dependent on gabapentin should not abruptly stop taking it. Instead, they should gradually taper off it to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms. However, this may not be as simple as it seems for most people, so a detox program under medical professionals is the best option. In addition, if you are struggling with Neurontin misuse or other substance use disorders, you can receive treatment to help you recover. A rehab center enables you to learn healthy coping skills and the most effective and safest ways of avoiding a relapse. The treatment programs in these facilities include diverse types of care, as outlined below.

Detoxification

Trying to detox from Neurontin without proper medical support and guidance can damage your overall health and even be deadly. Still, it may be difficult to convince yourself or someone close to you to quit using this drug or seek professional assistance. However, detoxification provides the highest comfort and safety during this period.

Intake at detox centers begins with a medical assessment of the client’s mental and physical health and a treatment plan that suits their unique circumstances. In the program, clients receive around-the-clock medical support and are closely monitored and given the necessary medical treatment and psychiatric attention. This helps the client feel comfortable and safe during the acute phase of withdrawal symptoms. In addition, experienced addiction treatment specialists will help you lay a foundation for long-term recovery from SUD. Detoxification programs typically take three to 10 days to complete.

Inpatient Gabapentin Treatment

Residential treatment requires that clients stay in the rehab facility. During the entire duration of the program, clients follow a structured schedule to establish consistency daily. You have round-the-clock medical experts and supervision. You’ll also receive individual, couples, family, group, recreational, and nutritional therapy. Inpatient rehab treatment offers a safe environment away from home where you can have personal free time, meditation, and fitness time, which helps facilitate the necessary changes to overcome gabapentin addiction. The program can range from 28 days or more, depending on the severity of the addiction. Residential rehab programs may be ideal for clients who need more structure to overcome addiction or someone struggling with chronic relapse.

Outpatient Gabapentin Treatment

In outpatient rehab programs, clients can live at home and attend the program at the facility. The program has resources and treatment methods like residential rehabs and individual and group counseling sessions facilitated by a professional. However, the intensity can vary depending on your needs and includes comprehensive care for physical and mental health concerns. Outpatient treatment programs are ideal for a client who caught the addiction early and wants to address it before it significantly impacts their brain. It’s also suitable for people who require less-structured programs, need to attend work or school or care for kids.

Continued Care Options

Once you’ve gone through the medically assisted detoxification process, the work doesn’t end there. Overcoming gabapentin addiction or other substance use disorders requires continuous care and effort. The longer the treatment takes, the less likely you can experience relapse. Below are two common and effective continued care options for clients in recovery.

Sober Living Programs

A sober living program offers transitional houses for individuals recovering from SUD. These homes provide a safe and substance-free living environment for people who recently completed a detoxification program. The aim is to help those in recovery achieve sobriety and an independent sober lifestyle.

Services offered in sober living programs include:

• Structured living
• Family support
• Tiered recovery programs
• Personal monitoring
• Regular drug testing

Aftercare

Aftercare programs implement strategies and interventions to ensure individuals recovering from Neurontin addiction get back into society. Clients meet every week with their peers and take part in group sessions. They use these meetings to share their struggles and success as they learn how to live a drug-free life. Aftercare programs help to promote relationship-building skills, personal growth, and long-term sobriety. As a result, it ensures clients stay sober after completing treatment.

Seek Help for Gabapentin Addiction Today

Deciding to seek help may be difficult, but the first step towards overcoming SUD is accepting that you have a problem. If you are addicted to gabapentin, especially if you have been mixing it with other drugs or alcohol, you may feel like there is no way out. But with support and resources at your disposal from an experienced team in a rehab center, you can overcome Neurontin addiction. The prospect of withdrawal symptoms may seem unbearable, but with the help of professionals, you can safely and comfortably get through detox and rehab.

Whether you or a family member is struggling with gabapentin misuse, overdose, addiction, or withdrawal symptoms, Granite Recovery Centers can help. Our professionals provide the support you need to get and stay sober. Contact us today to talk about your personalized program to get well.

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While inpatient and outpatient rehabs focus on substance use treatment and recovery, each option offers unique attributes and benefits. It is essential to recognize that one option is not quantifiably better than the other. The choice depends on multiple factors and the general nature of the situation. Exploring and understanding the differences between inpatient and outpatient rehab is the best way to determine which option is right for you or your loved one.

What Is Inpatient Rehab?

Inpatient rehab is more commonly referred to as residential treatment because you live at the treatment facility throughout your substance use treatment. Inpatient rehab is usually the preferred option for individuals with more severe dependency on alcohol or drugs. Additionally, many of these facilities can treat people who suffer from co-occurring mental disorders, which could be contributing to substance use disorder.

Inpatient rehab programs are designed to help clients avoid the influences and temptations that could be triggers for substance use. A drug-free environment can be more conducive to the treatment process. Inpatient facilities tend to offer intensive care and 24-hour support from clinical and medical professionals.

Ideally, inpatient rehab programs offer support throughout each stage of treatment. Beginning with initial detoxification and continuing with treatments and therapies designed to teach clients how to manage substance use disorder. In addition, residential treatment programs aim to assist clients in leading drug- and alcohol-free lives following treatment.

Inpatient rehab programs can span anywhere from 30 days to 6 months or longer. Short-term residential treatment programs are generally 28 to 30 days. While long-term residential rehabs usually offer 3 to 6 months of treatment.

What to Expect During Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab facilities provide around-the-clock care, meaning you will never be or feel alone while learning to lead a drug-free life. Residential treatment programs generally follow a structured daily schedule consisting of individual and group therapy sessions, physical exercise, chores, and study materials focused on every facet of substance use and co-occurring disorders.

Inpatient treatment programs typically treat substance use disorder’s physical and psychological effects. In residential treatment, medical attention is always available, which can be especially important for clients with co-occurring mental health disorders or conditions that may have contributed to their substance abuse.

Because residential treatment clients must live in the facility, inpatient rehab tends to involve a more substantial commitment than outpatient rehab programs.

What Is Outpatient Rehab?

Outpatient rehab usually involves daily treatment through counseling, therapy, and group sessions at a facility or clinic. In addition, clients in an outpatient treatment program can live at home or in a sober living facility while attending treatment, allowing them to continue working or attending school without disruption.

The main difference between outpatient and inpatient rehab is the support available. Outpatient rehab is usually less intensive than the alternative. For example, many outpatient programs offer group or individual counseling in a step-down approach to care, which means that sessions might become less frequent and intensive in the later stages of the treatment program.

What to Expect During Outpatient Rehab

As mentioned, many clients seek outpatient rehab because outpatient programs can be seen as less disruptive. While the level of treatment in an outpatient program can be less intensive than inpatient treatment, the types of therapy and counseling provided are the same. In addition, some outpatient programs also offer treatment for clients with co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders.

Appointments can also be made on the weekends or evenings to accommodate work or school schedules. However, it is crucial to remember that outpatient treatment does not guarantee a drug- and alcohol-free environment.

How Inpatient Rehab Differs from Outpatient Rehab

Entering an inpatient rehab program involves staying in a facility 24/7, which isn’t necessary with outpatient rehab. The length of your stay in an inpatient facility depends on the seriousness of your dependency on drugs or alcohol. Short-term treatment programs can be provided in skilled nursing facilities or stand-alone rehabilitation hospitals. Anyone who seeks treatment through these facilities can obtain comprehensive care from a wide range of medical and health service professionals, including:

• Rehabilitative Specialists and Physicians
• Social Workers
• Counselors
• Nursing Staff
• Nutritionists
• Care Coordinators

Being admitted to an inpatient program means intensive care will be provided for at least three hours daily. In addition, some inpatient facilities offer residents alternative health and wellness programs and resources, such as holistic healing, yoga, and meditation. Residential treatment facilities also provide healthy and well-balanced meals and some nutrition instruction programs.

Outpatient rehab, while less intensive, still offers professional support for those seeking recovery. Outpatient programs often have specific attendance requirements for individual and group therapy sessions, workshops, meetings, and other recovery support programming. Depending on the type of outpatient program, appointments will be scheduled from one to five days per week. Keep in mind that different types of therapy might require separate appointments. Your care providers will expect you to maintain your drug-free life while at home.

Identifying Which Type of Rehab Is Right for You

Now that you know everything about inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab, you should be able to determine which type of treatment is right for you and your specific situation. If you decide to attend outpatient treatment, you can go through the treatment process while still living at your own home and amidst your loved ones. Outpatient rehab programs are less intensive, which might be preferable for clients with less severe substance use disorders.

While attending outpatient rehab, taking care of your family, attending school, and maintaining your work responsibilities is possible. Therapy sessions tend to occur before or after work. Remember that you don’t have to continue living at home if you choose outpatient rehab. Sober-living homes are available in this scenario, which may make it easier for you to maintain a drug-free lifestyle as you go to treatment.

On the other hand, inpatient treatment programs may be right for you if you need to step away from your every day responsibilities to focus entirely on the treatment process. Self-care is essential to preventing relapse, which can be aided by inpatient rehab.

If you’re unsure of your ability to get through the treatment program alone, inpatient rehab places you in a facility with people experiencing the same issues. Having a supportive environment could be helpful during treatment. In addition, inpatient rehab facilities have trained staff on hand to ensure that everyone remains as comfortable as possible.

Some of the amenities that you could have access to during inpatient rehab include on-site laundry facilities, flat-screen HDTVs, and swimming pools. While considering all your options, it’s essential to understand that each individual has different needs. Some programs account for these differences by providing individualized care.

Care Provided at Granite Recovery Centers

At Granite Recovery Centers, we offer a variety of treatments and therapies to help you on your journey to sobriety. We know one size does not fit all. So, we tailor our treatment programs to meet the unique needs of our clients. Granite Recovery Centers treatment programs feature a full continuum of care, including medical detox, inpatient and outpatient rehab programs, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), medication-assisted treatment, intensive outpatient (IOP), and sober living.

You will find exceptional recovery support treatment teams at each of our facilities. Many of our staff members are living proof that recovery is possible. GRC facilities offer on-site kitchens that provide our clients with nutritious snacks and meals, individual and group counseling, and dual-diagnosis treatment solutions. In addition, our treatment centers offer a unique blend of evidence-based clinical therapies with a comprehensive 12-Step curriculum.

Whether you choose an outpatient or inpatient rehab program, both options will help you learn how to live free from alcohol or drugs. In addition, both treatment options can assist you in progressing through detox and changing your attitudes regarding the substances you’re currently dependent on. Finally, the treatment program you enter should also give you the skills to continue avoiding relapse and triggers once you’ve completed the program.

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As with any human behavior, the brain plays a leading role in addiction. Chronic substance use alters the brain’s normal functioning, especially concerning the neurotransmitter dopamine. Drugs and alcohol send a surge of stimulus to the cluster of nerves below the cerebral cortex called the nucleus accumbens, causing a flood of dopamine to be released. Research has shown that high levels of stimulation and increased pleasure sensation powerfully encourages the repetition of behaviors and habits that become deeply rooted and self-perpetuating. This overstimulation progressively weakens nerve pathways and connectivity, leading to impaired judgment, decision-making, and impulse control. Freedom of choice diminishes, and the brain becomes highly focused on seeking the substance of choice. Addiction hijacks the brain, and what may have begun as a choice becomes a prison.

What is Addiction?

Addiction, or substance use disorder, is a “psychological or physical dependency” (often both) on drugs and alcohol. Addiction is characterized by uncontrollable drug use and has been defined as a “chronic, relapsing disorder.” However, the term can also apply to behavioral disorders like sexual or gambling addictions. Individuals suffering from this disorder exhibit behaviors of compulsively seeking their drugs of choice even when doing so has detrimental or even deadly consequences.

The medical community considers addiction a brain disorder because it changes how the brain’s circuit’s function. For example, addiction inhibits people’s ability to control themselves, alters their reactions to stress, and diminishes their capacity to respond to other rewards. These effects may not be permanent, but they can last long after the person stops using the substance.

Addiction inhibits the brain’s ability to function normally. From this point of view, addiction is comparable to diseases, such as diabetes and heart conditions. They all prevent organs in the body from regular and healthy functioning. This interference can be harmful and sometimes deadly, but addiction is a treatable disorder. If addiction remains untreated, the changes in the brain can last for years or even decades. Treatment can prevent addiction leading to death.

As the brain becomes addicted to a substance, the user begins to experience symptoms. For example, substances use causes intoxication. However, if the substance becomes unavailable in some way, the user will start to experience withdrawal symptoms. Over time the user will also develop a tolerance.

When a substance is used for a long time, it is common for the user to develop a tolerance. Developing tolerance to a substance refers to its effects lessening as a result of prolonged use. For example, a substance that initially resulted in an extreme high inevitably becomes less satisfying when used chronically. To experience the same high, the user needs more and more of the substance. Tolerance also increases the frequency of the need to use. Although tolerance is not the same as addiction, it often leads to addiction. The medical description of a disease is when changes within the body lead to negative symptoms, which accurately describes addiction.

Many people do not believe that addiction is a disease of the brain. Instead, they think people become addicted to substances because they lack the willpower to overcome addiction. Others believe that addiction is a moral failing, which leads to the question, “Why don’t they just stop using?” These beliefs are fueled by stories about people who have been able to stop ingesting a substance without the benefit of a treatment center, but most people do not fit into this category.

The First Time

The first time that people ingest a substance is indeed a voluntary act. However, when a substance is used regularly over an extended period, it changes the wiring of the brain, and eventually, using becomes involuntary. As a result, the brain’s circuitry is altered, and the user’s ability to exert self-control becomes seriously impaired. This occurrence is a significant factor that leads to addiction.

Brain imaging studies have been able to demonstrate that this is true. Scientists have placed people addicted to substances into a brain imaging machine and found that there were changes in the areas of the brain that dealt with behavior control, memory, learning, decision-making, and judgment. These changes cause people to act impulsively when seeking their drugs of choice.

How a Brain Normally Works

The human brain is comprised of billions of cells called neurons. Neurons are organized into circuits and networks. Each neuron controls the flow of information. When a neuron receives multiple signals from connected neurons, it sends a signal out to other neurons in the circuit.

The brain’s interconnected circuits work as a team. For example, a circuit will be in charge of performing a specific function. These neurons send signals back and forth to each other and other parts of the brain. They also send messages to the nerves and the spinal cord.

To send a message, a neuron must release a neurotransmitter. But first the neurotransmitter crosses the space or “synapse” between the sending and receiving neurons. After crossing the synapse, the neurotransmitter becomes attached to the next neuron, and the neuron that receives the neurotransmitter changes.

The Way the System Works with Substances

When substances are present, neurons cannot send, receive, and process signals from neurotransmitters as they usually do. However, if the chemical structure of a substance is like the brain’s neurons, it can activate them, but it will activate them differently than the neurons ordinarily would. Therefore, substances begin to send abnormal messages throughout the body.

If the substance is cocaine or methamphetamine, it causes neurons to release vast amounts of the brain’s natural neurotransmitters. This interferes with the job of the brain’s transporters, which is to take neurotransmitters that have been released back into the neuron that released them. This limits the number of signals that neurons send to each other. With this interference, the neurons cannot normally communicate with each other.

Dopamine’s Role in the Addiction Process

When a human experiences pleasure, the brain knows that the activity that created the pleasure is something it wants to encourage the person to do repeatedly. In a healthy brain and body, the activities are also healthy and beneficial to the human being. So, the brain uses dopamine to increase the likelihood of people repeating positive behaviors. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that the reward circuit releases.

After people engage in a pleasurable experience, dopamine surges so that the brain and body will remember that something significant has just occurred. As dopamine surges throughout the brain, its neural connectivity changes, making it much easier for the person to act repeatedly without thinking about it. When this occurs, a habit has just been formed.

Along with euphoria, substances also cause the brain to release copious amounts of dopamine, so consuming the substance becomes attached to the resulting pleasure and everything that went into obtaining the substance. In addition, these dopamine surges teach the brain to choose to seek out the person’s substance of choice rather than engage in activities that are healthier for them.

When people addicted to substances encounter the things that have become attached to the euphoria of substance use, the person’s reward circuit releases cravings that are too strong for the person to ignore. The substance does not need to be within the person’s reach. This reflex can remain with those addicted to substances for many years. For example, someone may have been addicted to heroin but overcame the addiction several years ago. If this person returns to the neighborhood where they engaged in heroin use, they may experience cravings.

Drug and Alcohol Overdose Statistics

Overdose deaths in the United States have increased annually for over two decades. In 2021, there were 106,699 overdose deaths in the U.S. This is a vast increase from roughly 19,000 overdose deaths in 1999. From 1999-2021 over one million overdose deaths have occurred in the United States.

Many are under the impression that substance abuse and overdose deaths decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the very opposite is true. The U.S. experienced its highest-ever increase in overdose deaths in the first year of the pandemic. In 2020 the rate of fatal overdoses rose by 30%, with nearly 92,000 lives lost.

A Guide to Withdrawal

The detox period, also referred to as “withdrawal,” involves a combination of physical and psychological responses to suddenly stopping or reducing the use of a substance on which the body has become dependent. The brain and body need to maintain a state of equilibrium (homeostasis) or balance. Prolonged substance use affects the brain’s reward system and impacts this balance. When the body and brain have become dependent on a substance, and that substance begins to recede from the system, the balance is thrown off, and withdrawal symptoms begin.

Withdrawal symptoms can differ significantly depending on the substance or substances. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and even life-threatening. Physical symptoms of substance withdrawal may include dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting, muscle aches and tension, twitches, tremors, and shakes. Psychological withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety and panic attacks, irritability, difficulty falling and staying asleep, confusion, fatigue, depression, and thoughts of suicide. The most dangerous withdrawal symptoms include heart attacks, strokes, delirium tremens (DTs), seizures, and hallucinations.

If your body has become dependent on a substance or substances, you have likely experienced withdrawal symptoms at some point. And the idea of going through the full withdrawal process can be intimidating and seem impossible, but with help, there is hope. Drug and alcohol detox programs offer support and care, and medical detox programs provide medications to help ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent potential complications.

As the name implies, medical detox is supported by medical doctors and other medical professionals. At Granite Recovery Centers, we pride ourselves on knowing recovery inside and out and understand that while the detox process is no cakewalk, the road to recovery begins. Our medically supervised detox options make the withdrawal process as comfortable and manageable as possible.

Types of Treatment Available

Detox programs help people get clean. However, in order to remain clean, most people require further treatment. Granite Recovery Centers treatment programs provide a full continuum of care utilizing a hands-on treatment approach. Our process is comprised of two major components: evidence-based clinical psychotherapies in conjunction with our 12-Step based R.E.S.T. program.

Wellness Recovery Action Plan “WRAP’

The Wellness Action Recovery Plan^®, or WRAP^®, is a prevention process for anyone seeking to change themselves and their lifestyle. WRAP^® is an evidence-based program primarily focused on substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders. The WRAP^® program has been researched and thoroughly examined to ensure its accessibility and effectiveness, and it is a go-to source for relapse prevention planning and execution.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a commonly practiced evidenced–based therapy process that can help people in many ways. CBT focuses on teaching clients skills that will allow them to identify and interrupt ineffective and negative thought patterns. The aim is to change automatic negative thinking processes and provide the opportunity to make better decisions in times of stress, frustration, and other challenges.

Seeking Safety

Seeking Safety is an evidence-based model used for treating co-occurring post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder. The main objective of this treatment model is for clients to learn how to establish safety, hence its name. The curriculum addresses a new topic every week, covering subjects such as Grounding, Asking for Help, Compassion, and Coping Skills that will help clients learn to understand and manage their disorders.

Illness Management and Recovery (IMR)

Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) is a curriculum-based rehabilitation program developed and published by Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, “SAMHSA,” for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. This evidence-based practice aims to improve self-management skills for short and long-term remission.

Recovery Education and Skills Training (R.E.S.T.)

R.E.S.T. is a comprehensive lecture, discussion, and action-based curriculum integrating 12-Step principles with evidence-based clinical practices and the personal experiences of men and women in recovery. R.E.S.T. is a five-level structured program with principles established from each level building upon the levels before. As clients progress, the format of R.E.S.T. presents fewer lectures and more discussion-based material. This allows clients to identify with the material inwardly and verbally express that identification along with any questions, comments, and concerns. Clients will eventually be given the opportunity for self-examination through an individualized therapeutic writing process. The final portion of the R.E.S.T. curriculum focuses on past and present resentments and other unresolved feelings.

Is Treatment a Cure?

Addiction is a chronic disease that cannot be cured but can be treated successfully. Treatment means you can stop the harmful effects of substance use on your brain. Then, you will be fully capable of taking over your life again.

Addiction is a relapsing disorder, so it isn’t surprising that some people return to substance use. However, relapsing is a part of the recovery process. The key is to continue with treatment. When you do, you are less likely to relapse in the future.

Addiction doesn’t have to have an unhappy ending. Although treatment is not a cure, it can help you or your loved one live a productive life. At Granite Recovery Centers, we will treat your substance use and mental health disorders if you have one. We offer you a stay in our inpatient or outpatient program, and when you are finished with treatment, we can place you in our alumni program.

If you are seeking treatment or have questions you would like answered, we are available 24/7 at 855.712.7784 or through our contact form.

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These can range from mild anxiety to severe paranoia and hallucinations, depending on the substance and the severity of abuse. For this reason, home detox is only recommended when one has a mild substance abuse disorder. Even then, it can fail due to a number of other factors. In cases of substance use disorders, medical drug detoxification is strongly recommended. Granite Recovery Centers provides medical detoxification for people who do not need immediate medical intervention, are not a danger to themselves, and are capable of self-evacuation in the event of an emergency.

It’s Uncomfortable at the Least

The biggest barrier to home detox is the presence of withdrawal symptoms. Despite the best of intentions, many people attempting to stop drug use on their own find that the discomfort of withdrawal is simply too much to take, and end up relapsing before detox is complete.

Withdrawal Symptoms Can Be Dangerous

Many people who try to detox at home don’t take into account that going “cold turkey” on some drugs can be dangerous due to the severity of withdrawal symptoms that may follow. In extreme cases, withdrawal can provoke symptoms as severe as psychotic episodes. This is why medical management and supervision is so crucial to successful detox – it prevents the opportunity for relapse by providing a monitored drug and alcohol-free environment, and ensures that any dangerous behaviors do not result in harm to the patient or others.

Friends and Family are Not Equipped

Home detox may be possible if friends and family ensure that the drug user’s environment is completely free of opportunities to take the drug, or to hurt themselves or others. Having supportive friends and family present can be a valuable aid in the detox process, assuming they do not encourage drug-seeking behavior. However, family and friends lack the training or means to lessen the discomfort of withdrawal. They may be able to help the drug user pass time, but they do not have the medication or expertise necessary to respond to withdrawal issues as they arise.

Detox is Not Treatment

Another pitfall of home detox is the belief that it constitutes treatment for substance abuse in and of itself. Detox is not treatment – it is the foundation for treatment. Ridding oneself of drugs or alcohol is vital to the recovery process, but just going through detox does not teach one how to confront the real physical, mental, and spiritual issues underlying substance abuse.

Detox at home may be the right option in some mild cases of substance abuse when support is available. It may also be the only option for some who lack access to professional treatment. However, professional treatment and subsequent follow-through with a dedicated drug rehab recovery program is almost always the safer and more effective option.

If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, please call (855) 712-7784. We can help.

Call (855) 712-7784 for Immediate Help

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