Addiction can affect nearly every aspect of an individual’s life, and yet sometimes, they may not realize or acknowledge that they have a problem. In this case, friends and family members may want to consider organizing a professional intervention. This involves contacting an addiction intervention professional—or an interventionist—to help lead a group discussion with the struggling individual and the people who care about them.
Finding Help for Long-Term Drug or Alcohol Addiction
However, long-term use does appear to be linked to a range of health effects. It’s possible to experience opioid intoxication or accidental opioid poisoning regardless of how long you’ve been taking opioids. Long-term opioid use may also lead to a rare condition called opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). People with OIH become more sensitive to pain over time https://theseattledigest.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ while taking opioids. Substances like cocaine and other stimulants can cause drastic or extreme changes in blood pressure and alter oxygen absorption rates in the blood, which can damage arteries and veins, as well as the heart. Despite being aware of these harmful outcomes, many people who use drugs continue to take them, which is the nature of addiction.
- Tolerance to benzodiazepines occurs even for regular users who are prescribed the drug.
- All NSAIDs, both prescription and over-the-counter, now sport warning labels thanks to a ruling by the Food and Drug Administration.
- Substances like cocaine and other stimulants can cause drastic or extreme changes in blood pressure and alter oxygen absorption rates in the blood, which can damage arteries and veins, as well as the heart.
Short-Term and Long-Term drug use
Due to its short half-life, and rapid absorption, alprazolam is distinguished as one of the most rapid-acting BZD with fastest relief of symptomology, increasing its abuse liability [54]. Alprazolam is widely used as monotherapy for panic disorder and anxiety and was found superior to other forms of monotherapy for these conditions including other BZD, non-SSRI antidepressants, and buspirone. This superior effect is thought to be due to its unique alpha-2 adrenergic activity, enhancing its potency for relieving panic and anxiety disorders.
What Is Substance Misuse?
For adolescents 12 and older, caffeine intake should be limited to no more than 100 mg daily. Caffeine is naturally found in the fruit, leaves, and beans of coffee, cacao, and guarana plants. There is a risk of drinking excess amounts of caffeinated beverages like soda and energy drinks because they are taken chilled and are easy to digest quickly in large quantities. People who are addicted to Klonopin may experience full-blown hallucinations and even have conversations with people who aren’t really there. Sometimes harm is due to irrational thoughts users believe to be true, like everyone is against them and judging their behavior. Commercial tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States.
This call to action proves especially relevant, as those seeking treatment for BZD dependence and withdrawal are on the rise in the United States [3]. Other studies have assessed different methods of counseling on BZD dangers and alternatives to patients alongside a gradual taper off the drugs. One study compared the mainstay of treatment with a standardized Sober House interview/counselling approach to treatment [72]. The experimental group in this study had a weekly 1/10-dose reduction after a 2 week stabilization period [72]. The experimental treatment also included a BZD diary, a drinking diary, BZD withdrawal education, and assessments for ways of coping and “progressive relaxation exercise” [72].
Adverse effects associated with long-term opioid use
Other studies have shown that there is no correlation between BZD use and cognitive decline. One study showed that administration of BZD in patients with Alzheimer’s disease do not lead to further cognitive decline after 18 months of taking the drug [74]. The subjects in this study had mild to moderate Alzheimer’s dementia and showed no change in AD-Cog scores after treatment with BZD [74]. Interestingly, in this same study, SSRIs and atypical antipsychotics showed the same results; however, trazodone actually improved the NPI [75].
Some drugs are neurotoxins that may damage or destroy nerve cells either in the brain or the peripheral nervous system. With the right support and a strong medical detox program on your side that includes therapy, family support structures like systemic family interventions, and group therapy, you can come back from Klonopin dependency. Results showed that, compared to wild-type mice, mice on diazepam experienced longer uninterrupted sleep [42]. It also reduces the expression of mRNA transcripts such as CaMKIIa, BDNF, GIF, c-fos, NGFIa which are necessary for regulating synapses and plasticity [42]. The suppression of CaMKIIa by diazepam has a long-lasting effect leading to a limited neuronal response to changes in intracellular calcium and decreased response by GABA-A receptors [42].
- And the risk of side effects is also greater because the dose might not be right for you, or you might not tolerate some other drugs.
- Once you’ve been addicted to a drug, you’re at high risk of falling back into a pattern of addiction.
- People diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, primary insomnia, and gastroesophageal reflux are usually advised to reduce or eliminate regular caffeine use.
- The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR) doesn’t consider withdrawal or tolerance as symptoms of OUD if you’re taking opioids as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
- There is no way to predict who will become addicted to drugs, but a combination of influences can increase a person’s risk of developing an addiction.
Physical Long-Term Effects of Substance Abuse
As with other diseases and disorders, the likelihood of developing an addiction differs from person to person, and no single factor determines whether a person will become addicted to drugs. In general, the more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs will lead to drug use and addiction. Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs. When you’re addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for preventing or reducing drug use and addiction.