The term “ drug dependency ” is often associated with the use of illegal drugs or narcotics. In fact, when you consume drugs in excess of the dose and/or for a long time, it can be said that you are addicted to drugs.
Initially, the drug may be used as an effort to overcome certain complaints or support daily activities, such as sleeping pills or antidepressants. However, if you cannot stop taking the drug and cannot get off, you may have a drug addiction or dependence.
Furthermore, drug dependency occurs when a person becomes dependent on continuing to consume certain drugs so that the body begins to adjust to the presence of the drug. Finally, when he decides to stop consuming it, the body will produce a different reaction caused by the unfulfillment of a chemical substance that has become a habit in the body.
Reasons for Doing a Drug Dependence Check?
Drug dependency checks need to be done when you are taking medication for a long time and feel uncomfortable when you do not or stop taking it. Some common symptoms that appear when someone is dependent on drugs are:
- Stomach ache, nausea, and vomiting.
- Loss of consciousness (fainting).
- Breathing and blood pressure problems.
- Chest pain.
- The pupils of the eyes are enlarged.
- Tremor (shaking).
- Seizures.
- Hallucinations.
- Diarrhea.
- The skin suddenly becomes cold and sweaty, as well as hot and dry.
If you experience similar things and have a history of taking medication in large quantities and for a long time, it is highly recommended to immediately seek medical help to get health assistance.
When Should You Do a Drug Dependence Check?
A person needs to immediately check for drug dependency when they can no longer consistently abstain from the behavior. Especially if the consumption of certain drugs or substances is accompanied by nicotine or illegal drugs.
Behaviors that indicate that someone needs to be checked for drug dependency are:
- Lack of control, or inability to stay away from a substance or behavior.
- Decreased socialization, such as ignoring commitments or neglecting relationships.
- Ignoring risk factors, such as sharing needles despite potential consequences.
- Experiencing physical effects, such as withdrawal symptoms or needing higher doses for effect.
How to Do a Drug Dependence Check?
Diagnosis of drug addiction requires a thorough evaluation by a physician, psychiatrist, and psychologist. If the drug causing the addiction is a narcotic, an examination from the Drug Addiction Hospital (RSKO) is usually required.
Blood, urine, or other laboratory tests are a series of tests commonly performed to diagnose drug use. These tests are not diagnostic for drug dependence. However, they can be used to monitor treatment and recovery.
For measurement criteria, mental health professionals refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association. These criteria are used as the standard for diagnosing drug addiction.
Once someone is suspected of having a drug dependency, the doctor will perform a series of therapies on the sufferer as the next step. This is because there is no drug that can be used to overcome drug dependency or addiction to date. Treatment for drug dependency will usually depend on the drug used, as well as any medical or mental disorders that are related or that may be present.
In general, there are several treatment or therapy steps that can be taken to overcome drug dependence, such as:
1. Detoxification
The first treatment that can be done for drug addiction is detoxification. This step is done to allow sufferers to stop taking drugs as quickly and safely as possible.
In undergoing the detox process, some people can do it independently, and others need to be hospitalized, depending on the severity of the dependency they are experiencing.
The detoxification process is done by stopping the use of drugs that cause dependency. This process can be done gradually by reducing the dose or temporarily replacing it with another similar drug, but with a lower dose.
2. Behavioral Therapy
One of the drug dependency treatment programs can be done with behavioral therapy (a form of psychotherapy), can be done by a psychologist or psychiatrist. This therapy is done to:
- Help develop ways to overcome drug cravings.
- Provides strategies to avoid drugs and prevent relapse.
- Provides advice on how to deal with relapses.
