The expenditure for alcohol and opioid dependence in America every year is over $325 billion. This number accounts for healthcare costs, time lost at work, and the costs associated with alcohol and drug crimes. The cost of addiction to the individual is impossible to compute and usually deprives you of more than your income. If you are struggling with addictions in New York City and are ready to stop, contact an East Village addiction medicine specialist from Matt Pabis, MD for treatment.
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What Is Opioid Addiction?
Opioids are prescription drugs used to relieve pain when used in the right quantities. However, over time, they can make a dependence that is identical to that of heroin. Because of their high addiction potential, opioids should be taken as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Opioids trigger the release of endorphins – brain feel-good neurotransmitters that work by calming your feelings of pain and increasing your gratification sensors. This reaction develops a strong sense of wellbeing, but it is temporary. When the feeling ends, you might want to have it again immediately. This sequence of strong craving for opioids followed by the pleasure of taking a dose gives your brain a possibility for future addiction.
What Is Alcohol Addiction?
Alcoholism can be challenging to realize, both for you and for healthcare providers. Basically, after long or repeated drinking, your brain will start doing its job and assume that your body needs a certain amount of alcohol. When it does not find any alcohol, the brain assumes that you have a problem.
Alcoholism is the physical or psychological dependence on alcohol. You might be addicted to alcohol if you:
- Are unable to control the amount you drink
- Miss important occasions because you had so much to drink
- Are drinking alcohol in unsafe circumstances, such as when you are sick
- Find yourself craving alcohol regularly.
- Have tried to reduce or do away with your drinking without success
If your family has a history of addiction or has faced other addictions in the past, you have a high likelihood of becoming an addict. Seeking assistance for addiction is usually a dynamic, meditative process, but one that can positively impact your life when directed by healthcare professionals.
Addiction Treatment
Addiction is treatable. While there are several ways of treating addiction, most of them start at the same place: Detox.
Detox is the process of getting rid of all traces of the addictive substance from the body. Depending on how developed your addiction is, you might undergo detox at the comfort of your home. In this type of detox, you will be visiting Dr. Pabis every day for support and medication.
On the other hand, advanced addiction requires controlled detox as you will likely experience withdrawal symptoms, ranging from shaking, nervousness, and cold sweats. If you are worried about severe withdrawal symptoms, you might need to undergo a controlled detox while under your provider’s care.
If you are ready to get help for your addiction, contact Dr. Pabis today by calling 914-815-0626 or booking an appointment online and begin your road to recovery.