Addiction

Many people who have a mental health disorder also have a substance use disorder. A person with depression may also abuse alcohol. A person who has schizophrenia may also be a drug user.

Addiction is a complex issue that involves the brain and the body. It also leads to a lot of poor choices, secrets and lies. For some, it's hard to understand why we call addiction a "disease." So let's take a few minutes to learn about it.

Once a drug or alcohol problem is evident there are many different types of treatment that can assist with recovery. In Part 3, you will find that treatments include medications, behavioral counseling and psychotherapy.

Drug and alcohol recovery is ongoing and can cause problems for family and friends. In Part 4, discover what support is available and the best way to help the addict.

Support is key for someone in recovery from an opioid addiction. As a caregiver, it can be difficult to understand what your role is. Your loved one's healthcare provider can help you.

For many, occasional gambling is a fun way to relax and enjoy some mild risk-taking. But for some, the urge to gamble is uncontrollable. If you have this disorder, you can't stop gambling. It is an addiction. Losing makes you want to place riskier and riskier bets. This can destroy your life.

Opioids are addictive drugs. Whether it's medications prescribed by doctors, medications purchased illegally or the 'street drug' heroin they all have a direct impact on a person's brain. People can work with a healthcare team to manage their addiction.

When someone who is addicted to opioids starts recovery, the symptoms of withdrawal take effect immediately. There are mild to severe physical and mental symptoms that should be monitored by a healthcare professional.

When starting recovery from opioid addiction, it's important to first consult a healthcare provider. They can help you create a treatment plan for your symptoms of withdrawal that will include a combination of therapy and medication.

This is methadone. It is an opioid pain medicine that treats long-term severe pain.

This is Sublocade. It helps treat addiction to opioid drugs that are either legal or illegal.

This is buprenorphine. It is an important part of treatment to help people who are addicted to or dependent on opioid drugs.

This is a Buprenorphine extended release patch. It is an opioid pain medicine that treats long term severe pain.

Lately, something just doesn't seem right. You think your loved one could be abusing opioids. But how can you tell? Keep an eye out for these subtle signs of opioid abuse.

There are resources for people who are struggling with an opioid addiction. It's important to reach out to a healthcare provider and to your loved ones for support.

Life after opioid addiction treatment can be managed with a combination of therapy, medication and support of family and friends. Finding a treatment plan that works for you can lower your risk of relapse.

This is a mental and physical need to drink alcohol. We also call it "alcohol dependence." It makes you want to drink alcohol even when it hurts you and others. This can cause chaos in your life. It can cause health problems.

Opioid addiction is overwhelming. It robs you of happiness and health. It can steal away your family and friends. But it is treatable. With the right support, you can beat opioid addiction. Let's learn about treatment options.

These days, many of us are connected online more often than we aren't. Smartphones, smart watches and laptops. Emails, instant messages and alerts. The internet is a part of everyday life. And for some people, it can become an addiction.