Do I Have a Physiological Dependence?

Addiction constitutes reliance on the substance in the body and mind. Physiological dependence occurs when someone doesn’t feel normal unless they use a certain drug. Other signs of this type of reliance include withdrawal symptoms when quitting. Having a physiological dependence, however, rarely happens in isolation. The physical effects of the substance also impact the mind. Therefore, substance abuse treatment programs in Massachusetts are available to help the body and mind to recover.

Signs of a Physiological Dependence During Substance Use

Signs of a physiological addiction appear at two times — during use and when quitting. When using a substance, the signs of a physical reliance will depend on the specific drug. Still, they may include requiring more of the substance to feel high or relaxed and regular use of the substance to maintain mood or physical well-being.

During use, individuals may not recognize that they have a dependence on a substance because they keep taking the drug to avoid withdrawal effects. However, as soon as reducing the dosage or trying to quit, indications that substance use produced a physical dependence become apparent.

Signs of Physiological Dependence When Quitting

Physiological dependence becomes especially clear when trying to quit. In fact, many people continue to use substances to avoid the discomfort caused by stopping or reducing drug use. When quitting includes physical withdrawal problems, the substance had produced a physiological dependence.

Symptoms of withdrawal may differ depending on the substance used, but they will often be strong and make quitting difficult. Common withdrawal symptoms of many substances may include:

• Sleeping problems, such as insomnia or sleeping too much
• Appetite changes, eating too much or not wanting to eat
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Mood swings
• Muscle aches and pains
• Tremors
• Seizures in the most severe cases

Not every drug will produce all the above symptoms. Both the amount of regular substance use and the length of time of addiction will play parts in withdrawal. Getting medically supervised detox can help ease some of these symptoms and keep you on the path to recovery until you are ready for rehab.

Substance Use Detox Treatment

For help with physiological dependence on a substance, don’t try to stop on your own. The changes in your brain and body make quitting the substance painful, in some cases.

Detox treatment is a process that helps individuals overcome their physical dependence on drugs and alcohol by gradually reducing their use over time. During the detox process, individuals will experience withdrawal symptoms that may include anxiety, nausea, insomnia or agitation as their body adjusts to being without the substances. Detox programs typically involve some form of medication management in order to lessen the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.

There are a number of different approaches to detox treatment, including inpatient and outpatient programs as well as medical or non-medical models. Doctors and other healthcare providers may also choose to use alternative therapies such as acupuncture, meditation or nutritional counseling during this period. While detox is not a cure for addiction, it is an important first step in the recovery process.

If you or someone you love is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. A comprehensive detox program can help make the transition away from these substances easier and provide support during this difficult time. With professional support, many individuals are able to successfully overcome their addiction.

Substance Use Rehab Treatment

After detox, you must focus on the mental dependency that accompanies physiological reliance on a drug. Rehab programs help with this aspect of recovery. In fact, after detox, you haven’t yet fully recovered until you go through addiction therapy programs and related treatment to help the mental side of substance abuse. These types of treatment differ for each individual, but at Greater Boston Addiction Centers, drug treatment may include any of the following:

• Mindfulness meditation therapy program
• Trauma therapy care
• Recreational therapy with whitewater rafting, snowboarding, and skiing
• 12-step work
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy program
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnosis, treatment

These treatments help those in the program to address cravings and why they happen. Though physical cravings may still exist after detox, they also trigger mental desires for the substance. With psychotherapy and activities to build your body, you can learn ways to combat the physical and mental yearnings for the substance, eventually breaking free of the desire for it.

Reach Out to Greater Boston Addiction Centers in Needham, MA

Physiological dependence occurs in many substance addictions. For a full recovery, you need therapy that provides healing for your entire self, including the physical and mental. At Greater Boston, our Joint Commission-accredited rehab center offers holistic treatments to help with both mental addiction and physiological dependence on substances.

Overcoming a physiological dependence on a substance is possible when you have a supportive group cheering you own. Let us be your support team. Find out more about our programs by phoning us at 877.920.6583 or completing our online contact form.