Signs of Addiction

This is a broad general view of addiction as different substances create different symptoms and effects on the individual and often addiction is to more than one substance. Addiction generally is a condition characterized by repeated, compulsive seeking and use of drugs or alcohol despite adverse social, mental, and physical consequences. It is usually accompanied by physiological and physical dependence with the appearance of withdrawal symptoms when the drug or alcohol is rapidly decreased or terminated. When addiction exists, the drug use controls the individual rather than the individual controlling the usage.

Drug Intervention is often effective when all else has failed in attempts to help someone suffering from addiction or alcoholism. Many times the addict or alcoholic already feels he has totally failed his loved ones and cannot face them. The guilt and depression is just too much to confront. Even though they may be in the same room listening to loved ones they really aren’t hearing anything. Drug intervention can offer some order and effectiveness to aid the true desire of both the addict and the family to find workable solutions. Yes, despite all appearances to the contrary, the addict or alcoholic is seeking a way out of the trap and does want to stop his use. An effective drug intervention can take that hope and desire, no matter how small, and create a willingness to do something and accept help.

A rehab program should be a series of steps done in sequence to gradually increase a person’s mental, emotional, and physical health. This involves a full and complete handling of cravings, guilt and depression that accompany any addiction and addictive lifestyle. These are also the major sources of continued drug use and relapse. The program would also include an increase in skills and abilities that will be needed for the restoring of relationships, trust, finances, career, hopes and dreams. All this is not only possible but is being achieved on a daily basis at Narconon Arrowhead. Our 76% success rate when compared to 16-20% for more traditional short term programs speaks for itself.

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing condition, characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and drug use which is accompanied by functional and molecular changes in the brain. In addition to being addicted to methamphetamine, chronic methamphetamine abusers exhibit symptoms that can include violent behavior, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia. They also can display a number of psychotic features, including paranoia, auditory hallucinations, mood disturbances, and delusions. The paranoia can result in homicidal as well as suicidal thoughts. With chronic use, tolerance for methamphetamine can develop. Users may take higher doses of the drug, take it more frequently, or change their method of drug intake. In some cases, abusers forego food and sleep while injecting as much as a gram of the drug every 2 to 3 hours over several days until the user runs out of the drug or is too disorganized to continue. Chronic abuse can lead to psychotic behavior, characterized by intense paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and out-of-control rages that can be coupled with extremely violent behavior.

When evaluating various rehabilitation services one quite often comes across low success rates which are disheartening at best. The goal of rehabilitation services should be to put the individual in such good shape both mentally and physically that he or she is able to leave addiction behind for a lifetime. Narconon Arrowhead rehabilitation services are geared for the personal and unique needs of each individual. Addressed are areas which include but are not limited to; drug use cessation and withdrawal, full detoxification of the body, handling of cravings, quilt and depression, life skills training to ensure needed tools for a continue drug free life are mastered, Improved abilities to communicate with and control one’s environment and repair past damage, and a host of other factors needing addressed. These are located by extensive interviews, testing, and staff/student interaction. The student is educated and empowered. Rehabilitation services should do just that, serve the individual in confronting and resolving his or her own situation. Abilities gained and tools that work is what Narconon Arrowhead rehabilitation services are all about!