Substance Abuse Counseling / Drug Counseling in California, Palo Alto

The symptoms of Substance Abuse

Addiction is a disease caused by the formation of drug dependence. At the Substance abuse this relationship develops from a chemical compound which is not a narcotic.

The disease manifests itself in a constant growing cravings for receiving of the addictive substances, in mental disorders, neurological and somatic disorders, the loss of social ties, etc.

Syndrome of Psychological dependence means that the mental state of the patient is already determined by the presence or absence of an organism in his intoxicating substances. Its absence causes irritability, conflict, anxiety, inability to concentrate.

The syndrome of Physical dependence shows that the disease involves all body systems - formed a new, narcotics homeostasis. Develops abstinence: relaxation, falling muscular, cardiovascular tone, inability to perform even work. Attracted to intoxication has external signs - mydriasis, pallor, tremor, motor agitation. dysphoria. In a state of abstinence, patients are dangerous to themselves and others (suicide, aggression, crimes).

For Substance Abuse characterized by the presence large on narcotics syndrome include changes in the reactivity of the substance, substance dependence - mental and physical, the effects of chronic intoxication.

The grounds for establishing the diagnosis are the changes in the behavior of the patient, the size of the pupils, nystagmus, coordination, appearance of the patient, including the skin color, mood swings, withdrawal syndrome.

Treatment

Treatment is carried out only in specialized medical institutions or special departments of psychiatric hospitals.

Treatment for substance abuse begins with a sharp withdrawal of substance to which has arisen a dependency. Further actions are a gradual character and consist of the following:

• detoxification;
• removal of withdrawal symptoms;
• normalization of the mental condition of the patient;
• identification of mental dependence syndrome and conducting appropriate therapy;
• antirecurrent maintenance therapy.

In addition to medicaments is recommended also a psychotherapy, which helps to form a firm conviction not to return to the drugs.

Chronic intoxication drug causes imbalances in certain systems of the brain, so the main therapeutic measures should contribute to its elimination. Much attention during the treatment of substance abuse is given to the reasons, that cause a painful desire, for this are identified the factors and situation, that cause its gain.