The Physical and Emotional Affects of Drug and Alcohol Addiction

At some point in each person's life he or she is given a talk about drugs and alcohol and the effects that both can have. Most of us were taught in school health classes that the effects of drugs and alcohol can be emotional as well as physical and can have a big impact on the people who surround us as well as on our individual bodies. While this is certainly true, what most people don't understand-until they are in the throes of addiction-is just how devastating the physical and emotional affects of drug and alcohol addiction can be. In drug and alcohol rehab, drug and alcohol addicts will work individually, together and with trained drug and alcohol addiction experts to understand both the physical and emotional demands of overcoming an addiction. The experts in drug rehab programs have helped many clients get sober and they know how to help people cope as they go through withdrawal and face the emotional truths that contributed to their drug and alcohol addictions. Physical Effects of Alcohol and Drug Addiction As a person falls deeper and deeper into the throes of alcohol addiction and drug addiction, their friends and family will start to notice that the addict is physically changing. Internally your body will be dealing with intense cravings for the addict's drug of choice (or any drug at all, depending on the addiction). Outwardly, a drug addict can display any (or all) of the following symptoms: - Bloody noses - Coughing for no reason - Lack of coordination or unexplainable drowsiness - Irregular pupil size - Eyes moving back and forth rapidly and unable to focus on anything - Bloodshot or red eyes - Smokey smell or other drug smells on clothing - Physical marks on the skin (track marks, rashes, etc) - Inability to sit still - Incessant scratching or rubbing - Infection on the skin - Drug paraphernalia in pockets or usually within close proximity to the person - Hair loss - Excessive carefulness of one's appearance and behavior when the person usually isn't quite so meticulous (could be a sign of a cover up) Emotional Effects of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Emotional effects of drug and alcohol addiction aren't always as obvious as the physical effects can be. The truth is that drug and alcohol addictions are usually closely related to an emotional issue that has existed for quite a while. While it is true that an addiction can be physical-the triggers for that addiction are usually emotional. Here are some of the emotional effects a drug addiction can have, both on the addict and the people in an addict's life: - Increased feelings of loneliness and ostracism - Increased irritability - Increased fatigue - Unexplainable anxiety - Inability to concentrate - Feelings of abandonment (for both the addict and the people in the addict's life) - Stress from strained relationships - Fear that the addiction is out of control - Fear of rejection if addiction is discovered - Fear that even if the addict gets sober, they will no longer be accepted by their social circle - Anger at people who "don't get it" In a drug and alcohol rehab, both the person with the addiction and the people surrounding the addict will go through counseling sessions to help face and deal with the emotional ramifications of alcohol or drug addiction. Experts agree that these sessions are imperative for the addict's continued sobriety once his or her time in drug rehab has finished and he (or she) has to stay sober in the "regular world." The experts and therapists can also help an addict cope with the physical addiction to drugs and alcohol and the withdrawal process the addict will deal with after being admitted to the center. The truth is that drug addiction is neither all physical nor entirely emotional. The staff in most drug rehabilitation centers understand and work with you to deal with all aspects of overcoming addiction and living a sober life.