Addiction Treatment

addiction treatment

Deciding to get help with your addiction is the hardest step.

Kaleidoscope will help with the rest.

Addiction can take a significant toll on an individual’s personal, occupational and family life.

Whether a chemical addiction (drugs or alcohol) or a behavioral addiction (sex, gambling, technology), the first step in getting help is recognizing the problem.

Substance Addiction

In regards to substance addiction, the DSM-IV, the ‘bible’ of psychiatry, recognizes three levels of diagnosis: use, abuse, and dependence.

“Substance use” refers to more casual, low-risk addictive behaviors. “Abuse” indicates that the problem is more severe, and “dependence” refers to full blown emotional or physical dependence on the substance, indicating withdrawals.

Behavioral Addiction

Behavioral addiction is measured differently. What most people would term ‘sex addiction’ or ‘gambling addiction’ are referred to as compulsive behaviors. Technological addiction, like playing Farmville for 10 hours a day, is not recognized as an official diagnosis. However, more professionals are starting to recognize the destructive effects of technological overuse on an  individual’s personal, family, and occupational lives.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, the first step is to seek treatment. For an individual who is on the ‘use’ end of the spectrum, a combination of talk therapy and medication could be appropriate.

Key Aspects of Addiction

  • Do you find yourself craving more of the same object in order to obtain previous ‘highs’?
  • Have people been pointing out that you may have a problem?
  • Are you constantly obsessing over the behavior? Does every conversation end up on said topic?
  • Is your work, school, personal or family life struggling as a result of the problem?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be struggling with addiction.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS PHYSICALLY DEPENDENT ON DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, DO NOT ATTEMPT A ‘COLD TURKEY’ WITHDRAWAL, AS YOU COULD SUFFER PHYSICAL DAMAGE. THERE ARE SPECIFIC REHABILITATION FACILITIES FOR THOSE WHO ARE PHYSICALLY DEPENDENT ON DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.

Addiction Support Links

Alcoholics Anonymous
https://www.aa.org/

Narcotics Anonymous
https://www.na.org/

Santé Center for Rehabilitation
https://www.santecenter.com/

Alcohol Awareness for College Students: How to Stay Safe and Prevent Binge Drinking & DUIs
https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/how-to-prevent-college-binge-drinking-and-duis/