When people talk about addiction, it’s actually a double-edged sword. However, most don’t realize that it involves physiological and psychological dependence. That said, many associate only the physical symptoms with dependency. Many individuals might wonder, what is psychological dependence? And how do you move past it to achieve long-lasting recovery?
Lakeview Health is here to provide a range of addiction treatment programs that target both the physical and psychological dependence individuals face with substance abuse.
What You Need to Know about Physical Addiction
The addiction therapy services in Jacksonville, FL, acknowledge that physical dependency’s real. It refers to your body’s urge to receive the drug or alcohol. The body needs the drug to function. While this isn’t true in the rational sense, it’s right at the moment.
For example, someone with a heroin addiction receives signals from the body when the last dose wears off. That’s because the drug succeeds in suppressing the central nervous system. Therefore, the brain works overtime to keep this individual going. When you withhold the drug, the body signals the awakening of the nervous system with pain.
Next, there’s the lack of dopamine release. Drugs have the power to make structural changes to the brain. They affect the way it releases neurotransmitters. It’s possible to retrain the brain to regain equilibrium.
Psychological Dependence is the Other Side of Addiction
In addition to the physical aspect, there’s also psychological dependence. It refers to the mind’s belief that the individual can’t function without the drug. There’s a strong emotional tie to the substance that fails logical intervention. For example, someone believes that only alcohol can help them interact with members of the opposite sex.
Someone else may believe that the use of smart drugs is necessary to get ahead at work. These people don’t think they can quit using it for this reason. Besides that, there’s the desire for the substance because of the perks it provides. The case in point is marijuana.
It lulls people into believing that they don’t have an addiction. That’s because it doesn’t cause the same painful withdrawal symptoms as heroin. However, it lures the individual into a psychological dependence. Someone might argue that weed helps them relax, overcome anxiety, or deal with depression.
The Kernel of Truth in Psychological Dependence
At the root of most drug habits is a self-medicating behavior. The drug scratches an itch that someone experiences. It might be the individual with depression who smokes weed to help feel better. It’s the person with PTSD who abuses alcohol to numb themselves.
Therefore, it’s essential to treat addiction with evidence-based treatments. It’s not enough to tell someone that they don’t need the drug. Rather, you have to show them. The best way of doing so is by teaching life, social, and coping skills.
These approaches are part of an evidence-based treatment curriculum. Customization is the best approach. Therapists must gauge the level of psychological addiction to determine the best therapies. In fact, personalization of care starts at the delivery level.
Options might include:
- Medical detoxification that allows for the safe withdrawal from a drug or alcohol
- Residential treatment that encourages living at the facility for after-hour peer interactions
- Partial hospitalization program, which will enable you to live off-campus or at home
- Intensive outpatient program participation as a tool for using part-time rehab for addiction treatment
- Aftercare program, which rounds out treatment and continues long-term recovery
If you or a loved one struggles with psychological dependence, entrust Lakeview Health with your care. Contact Lakeview Health today to begin our admissions process and start your journey towards lasting recovery now.
