What Is Addiction?

Drug addiction is a brain disease that changes brain structure and function. If you don’t seek treatment immediately, the changes can be long-lasting. Drug addiction is chronic and progressive, so unless it’s treated early, it can be fatal. If you’re addicted to a drug, you may feel as though you can’t function without it, and that’s why you always go the extra mile to get it.
There are a lot of issues related to drug addiction, including not attaining your professional goals, hampering personal relationships, and taking a toll on your overall health.

In 2017, an estimated 2 million Americans used prescription painkillers for non-medical reasons. The pills are mostly used in combination with alcohol. Users risk drug interaction or overdose, and the results can be deadly. Examples of commonly abused drugs include:

• Opioid painkillers
• Benzodiazepines
• Antidepressants
• Mood stabilizers
• Anti-obsessive agents

Addiction and Your Physical Health During a Pandemic

Drugs and alcohol weaken one’s immune system, leaving the body susceptible to diseases. And if you are already suffering from an illness or a weakened immune system, the effects are worse. In this sense, drugs and alcohol have an autoimmune component that makes the body start attacking the healthy tissues. Therefore, people suffering from a substance abuse disorder usually have weak immunity, making it harder to fight common infections such as the COVID-19 virus. Such a weak immune system can increase your chances of experiencing more side effects from the coronavirus if you contract it.

Rehab Offers a Haven Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

Fortunately, you can get help for addiction and your physical health the moment you walk into a rehab facility. A high-quality medical facility like Lakeview Health is a great place to be during the coronavirus outbreak. We have systems and protocols put in place to not only create a safe and welcoming space, but to mitigate risks of a virus outbreak within our facility.

Safety and Help at Lakeview Health

There is a strong relationship between addiction and your physical health. However, mental health professionals understand that most cases of drug abuse have underlying mental health issues that trigger addiction. Our rehab facility will help you or your loved one to heal from the suffering of addiction and lead a healthy life. Contact Lakeview Health today to schedule an appointment or learn more about drug addiction treatments.