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Chemical dependence is defined as a disease characterized by the abuse of psychoactive substances, that is, substances capable of causing changes in the person's mental state, such as cocaine, crack, alcohol and some medications. These substances initially provide a feeling of pleasure and well-being, but they also cause great damage to the body, especially to the central nervous system, leaving the person completely dependent on increasing doses.
Chemical dependency is a situation that causes harm to the user of the substances, but also to the people with whom he lives, since many times the person stops going to the social circle to make use of the chemical, which ends up making people more fragile relationships.
It is important that signs indicating chemical dependency are identified so that treatment can begin.Although the dependent person often does not have the strength to seek help, it is important that the people with whom they live try to help, often requiring hospitalization in specialized treatment units.
How to identify signs of chemical dependency
Chemical dependency can be identified by means of some signs and symptoms that the person may have, for example:
- Much desire to consume the substance, almost compulsively;
- Difficulty in controlling the will;
- Withdrawal symptoms when the circulating amount of the substance is very low;
- Tolerance to the substance, that is, when the amount used habitually is no longer effective, which causes the person to increase the amount consumed in order to experience the desired effects;
- Reduction or abandonment of participation in events that I used to attend to be able to use the substance;
- Consumption of the substance despite being aware of its consequences for health;
- Willingness to stop or decrease the use of the substance, but fail.
Dependence is considered when the person has at least 3 of the signs of dependency in the last 12 months, and this case is classified as mild. When the person shows 4 to 5 signs, it is defined as moderate dependence, while more than 5 symptoms classify the dependency as severe.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for addiction to illicit drugs can be done with or without the authorization of the addict through the use of medications and monitoring of health professionals such as doctor, nurse and psychologist, family and friends. In some cases, especially in those with mild dependence, group therapy can be useful, as in this environment people who suffer from the same disease come together to expose weaknesses while supporting each other.
In cases of severe addiction, it is usually indicated that the person is admitted to a clinic specializing in the treatment of drug addicts, as it is thus possible that the person is closely monitored as the amount of substances decreases in the blood.
In the case of chemical dependence caused by the use of medications such as painkillers or sleeping pills (chemical dependence on legal drugs), the treatment consists of reducing the dose of the medication systematically guided by the doctor, because when you stop taking the medication suddenly, there may be a rebound effect and the person is unable to quit the addiction.