Addiction to drugs or alcohol can impact one’s life in multiple, unexpected ways. From physical issues and illnesses that appear due to increased consumption of chemicals to changes of mood that translate into a poor living standard of the sufferer, there are multiple ways in which addiction lowers the one’s living standard.

The medical aspect, paired with the social aspect change forever the way in which one lives their life, but also the way in which their families live their lives. In the case of addiction, there are more victims than the sufferer themselves. The close family is also subjected to a lot of financial and mental stress on the way. Below are some of the ways in which addiction can change one’s life and what can be done about it.

Legal Implications of Addiction

From the beginning, addiction has plenty of legal implications that might damage the patient’s life, in the long run. Generally, addicts show a reckless type of behaviour that might endanger them or others.

• They are more likely to engage in illegal behaviour: dealing, stealing, prostitution, pimping, breaking and entering, assault, impaired driving, etc.
• They have been charged with drug or alcohol-related offences.
• The criminal charges have impacted your life negatively.

Normally, people wouldn’t engage in such types of behaviour. However, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, one’s moral filter diminishes and they are more likely to engage in improper behaviour.  

Financial Implications of Addiction

Besides being a habit with legal implications, drug and alcohol addiction has a series of financial implications as well. When assessing how much addiction impacts your financial stability, think of the following.

• The amount of money spent yearly on various habits that might be categorized as an addiction.
• The money spent on similar habits when the patient wishes they have spent on different things.
• If the patient lost a job to addiction.
• If they have fees and fines because of addiction.
• They have provided or supplied drugs to friends or relatives in the past.
• That pawned goods or used family money without others’ knowledge and used it to purchase drugs, gamble or even shop.
• They have been in accidents or incidents that resulted in legal fees and insurance rates skyrocketing.

 

Physical Health Implications

Addiction has a series of health implications that endanger the health and well-being of the addict. Usually, addicts struggle with the following health concerns, as a result of their addiction. Below are some of the most common health issues that result from addiction.

• Blackouts, seizures, vomiting and hallucinations, tremors.
• Overdoses. Sometimes, these may result in the subject’s death.
• They have been in accidents that endangered their well-being while under the influence. Doctors may have also told them to stop drinking or using drugs because of a series of health concerns.
• They have been sick or home-ridden because of the general state drugs or alcohol put them through.
• They have to use drugs or alcohol just to feel normal functioning humans.

Comorbidities may also appear in drug or alcohol users a series of experts say. Seeking professional help from professional counsellors and therapists is the only solution that addicts have to kick off the habit and resume to a normal life.  

Mental and Emotional Implications of Addiction

Struggling with addiction has a series of emotional or mental implications. In fact, these may be the root of the addiction. Finding proper help is the first step to overcoming the root of your addiction and healing without the prospect of further relapses.

Chronic use leads to both short-term and long-term changes in the brain. These changes can lead to a series of mental health issues, from depression, anxiety and aggression to hallucinations, paranoia and a series of other mental related conditions.

The opposite is, of course, possible. A series of pre-existing conditions may lead to drug or alcohol abuse as a coping mechanism. In this case, substances act as a numbing element used by the addict to get easier through the day.

Because of this paradigm, counselling and therapy in specialised centres for drug or alcohol rehab are absolutely necessary, the experts at help4adddiction.co.uk claim. Compared to the wide population, addicts are twice as likely to suffer from mental concerns as well. A statistic dating back from 2015 shows that approximately 43.4 million adults aged at least 18 are experiencing some sort of mental issues, excepting substance use or abuse. Out of those, 8.1 million have a mental disorder and suffer from substance abuse simultaneously. A series of drugs have been shown to have higher chances to cause mental conditions in users: ketamine, LSD, marijuana, inhalants, MDMA, methamphetamine, steroids, PCP, prescription stimulants and so on.  

Choosing the Right Counsellor for Addiction

Choosing the right therapist to treat drug or alcohol addiction, but also other types of addictions is the first step to overcoming the issue and avoiding future relapses. Private rehab centres are seen as the most appropriate solution for those battling with similar issues for a prolonged interval. Discuss with an admission team before having yourself checked into a rehab canter.

Sometimes, patients will need residential treatment. This usually means enrolling in private residential treatment centres. Addiction treatment usually involves medication and therapy and counselling. Getting the addict out of the usual environment is the first step toward an addiction-free life.

The process of detoxification is the first step to a healthier and comfortable lifestyle. However, the process itself has to be closely supervised by a team of medical professionals and therapists. Because part of the detoxification process is withdrawal, for all patients, supervision is vital. The physical and mental symptoms associated with withdrawal are severe. Some patients even attempt suicide during this period.  

Final Thoughts

Addiction is an affection that impacts all aspects of the sufferer’s life. However, the effects extend to their families as well. While difficult to overcome on its own, addiction can be managed and eliminated with the help of professional therapy and counselling, as well as a personalised rehab program. Those seeking help in specialised rehab centres are always a step closer to a healthy and happy life.

Article Submitted By Community Writer