If you’re familiar with negative addiction consequences, you may wonder why people continue to use. The simple fact is, it’s hard to stop using once you become dependent. Even if you’ve only been dependent on a substance for a short period of time, drug withdrawal symptoms are extremely uncomfortable. Thus, for many people, it’s easier to continue using. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if they have a drug of choice or if they’re experimenting with polysubstance abuse.
About Polysubstance Abuse
Polysubstance abuse is taking more than one addictive substance at the same time.
In some cases, it’s accidental. For instance, a person might not realize they shouldn’t drink alcohol while taking certain prescription drugs. Or, someone may forget they occasionally take medication when their doctor prescribes another one that negatively interacts with the former.
Other instances of polysubstance abuse are intentional. Some people want to enhance the effects of one substance by taking another. For example, alcohol is a common choice. Unfortunately, while the desirable effects increase, so do the negative consequences.
Overall, the danger of this form of drug abuse is you don’t always know how different substances will interact. You may end up suffering serious consequences, including overdose, by taking more than one drug simultaneously.
What Are Common Drug Withdrawal Symptoms?
Whether it’s one drug you use or several, you may finally decide that enough is enough. You want your life back, and you’re determined to stop using.
This is a courageous step, and it’s never easy when deciding it’s necessary. Once you stop abusing drugs or alcohol, your body goes through withdrawal.
Detoxification is the process of addictive substances leaving the body. It’s a crucial step in recovery, although an uncomfortable one. For example, within several hours of your last dose, you’ll feel withdrawal effects. Typically, they’re most intense the first few days of detox, and common symptoms include:
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Severe mood swings
- Nausea
- Stomach and muscle aches
Because drug withdrawal symptoms are so unpleasant, detoxing alone is dangerous. You could jeopardize your life without optimal medical supervision. For some people, detoxing alone often leads to relapse because they don’t have the necessary tools or education for lasting recovery.
Thus, a good treatment facility creates a relapse prevention plan for you so you have the resources and support to avoid falling back into old habits.
Recovery Is Possible
Steps to Recovery is the addiction center you need to overcome drug or alcohol dependency. Our facility in Levittown, PA, helps you manage your drug withdrawal symptoms in a supportive, collaborative environment.
The addiction recovery services we provide include:
- Addiction counseling
- Psychotherapy
- Family therapy
- Prescription drug addiction rehab
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Men’s drug rehab program
- Women’s drug rehab program
Our trained, experienced staff are advocates in recovery and, therefore, work to help you achieve lifelong sobriety. We want you to feel comfortable in our small, intimate setting as you discover the core issues that led you to addictive behavior.
It’s always possible to conquer addiction, especially when you have the right team offering effective drug addiction help. Overcome your drug or alcohol addiction and experience true recovery by calling us today: 267.719.8528.