Alina Schellig

A veteran of two branches of the U.S. military, Max is continuing his education in healthcare administration. Max began his career in the addiction field working as a group facilitator and teacher, developing and delivering a successful faith-based curriculum in a long-term residential treatment setting. Deirdre graduated in 2012 from Pace University and completed her bachelor’s at Columbia University in New York and has her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Whether he’s leading groups or providing individual and family therapy, Kevin’s passion for serving those suffering from substance use disorders is always on display. When he’s not busy treating The Freedom Center’s clientele, you might find Kevin engaged in his other passion as an actor/director in the local theater community. Kevin’s expertise and experience as a Primary Therapist, paired with his natural talents and abilities as a speaker and an artist, have uniquely equipped him to reach our population and render top-notch care.

Defining Addiction

Basically, an individual has an intense desire to repeat an action. In terms of drug or alcohol addiction, this means that the individual enjoys the https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/addiction-vs-dependence-what-is-the-difference/ experience of taking drugs or drinking. They want to do it again, and that desire is so strong it becomes a compulsion that’s hard to ignore.

• Previously, abuse was a mild form of addiction, and dependence was a moderate or severe form of addiction.
• If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health or substance abuse, we can help.
• Vanessa is certified in addictions counseling by Maryland’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, with credentials as a clinical supervisor.
• Addiction encompasses dependence and the emotional symptoms of addiction.
• Inpatient treatment allows you to live in a structured environment away from temptations to use drugs or alcohol.

Mental dependence indicates that it’s the brain that’s primarily affected by the substance — or lack of it. Recovery specialists usually look at the body and brain holistically, making sure they treat both with respect and compassion. Physical dependence often refers to a substance that will cause a physical response once removed. If you look at the list of withdrawal symptoms above, you can see that there are many physical symptoms.

Dependence

The pain-killing effects of the drug bring about higher tolerance levels. And as the user takes higher amounts to feed this side, the secondary effects of respiratory depression (slowed down breathing or lack of breathing) and breathing are doubled or tripled. It is in this so-called differential tolerance where the users usually overdose. Before any opioid regimen is prescribed, both the patient and doctor must work together to develop a plan in case the person patient begins to show signs of SUD.

• Being born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, it was always a dream for James to start a program where he began his own recovery journey.
• You might also receive treatment for mental health conditions that are linked to addiction, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
• Physical dependence affects that part of the brain that oversees autonomic body functions, such as breathing.
• It’s about helping them remember the brilliant person they are, even without alcohol in their life.

It’s about helping them remember the brilliant person they are, even without alcohol in their life. Mental dependence can also refer to an individual’s reliance on a substance to help them feel a certain way. They may start off by doing this only in highly stressful situations, such as a date or a school reunion. Because alcohol makes them feel relaxed and happy, they keep doing it.

Physical Dependence vs. Addiction: How to Help

I have experience working in psychiatric hospitals, inpatient, outpatient, detox, and partial hospitalization programs providing clinical social work services. My approach to therapy is grounded in compassion, empathy, and a deep understanding of the unique experiences and perspectives of each of my clients . I utilize a person-centered approach to my clients to help empower change within themselves.

But addictions can happen anywhere, from college campuses to rural and suburban towns. And anyone can become addicted, from people experiencing homelessness to business executives. Addictions can start slowly as people experiment with different types of drugs. Or they can come on quickly, like what is now happening in the opioid crisis. The opioid crisis is so bad that the U.S. government declared a public health emergency.

Clinical Supervisor – Primary Therapist

People who are addicted to a substance use it even if it has no medical benefit. They use the substance no matter what and despite the consequences. Addictions are more likely to result in serious harm, including suicide, unlike tolerance and physical dependence. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics says more than 20 million people over the age of 12 in the United States have substance use disorder. Most commonly, the cases are related to marijuana and prescription pain relievers. Addiction is considered “highly treatable.” But it can take a few tries for the therapy to be fully effective.

Speak with your doctor if you have become physically dependent on a medication or other substance. Other common substances that cause dependence are nicotine and pain relievers, particularly narcotics. Stopping suddenly will likely cause symptoms, and they can be serious.

Signs and Symptoms

The more your body adapts to the effects of a drug, the more physically dependent it becomes. This can, in turn, cause you to end up using larger amounts of that substance to achieve the same desired effects. Bunmi is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Human Services.

Triggers can vary, but common examples include social events, stress, and boredom. It’s important to pinpoint your personal triggers and find ways to avoid or cope with them. For instance, if a specific social setting or emotion induces the craving, consider changing your environment or engaging in alcohol-free activities. The key, according to Seija, is not to do Dry January just to go binge drinking on February 1 but to perhaps find a new drinking pattern that feels comfortable and sustainable.

CBD May Reduce Cravings for People Suffering With Alcoholism

• This means when you suddenly stop drinking, the brain is left in a hyper-excitable state, leading to withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
• The strength of the urge also varies depending on the person and the situation.
• It’s essential to understand your triggers—those people, places, or situations that may lead to drinking.
• While not common, some anticonvulsant drugs such as Topamax or topiramate also work to reduce the cravings for alcohol.
• Reach out to us today to find out more about how you can curb your alcohol cravings and reclaim your life.
• Then there are internal triggers, which happen when the thought of drinking comes to your mind for no apparent reason.

Regular showering has an array of physical and mental benefits, but you can experience more of them if you have a bath every so often. However, just because someone experiences cravings does not mean they have AUD. Understanding these cues can help a person predict them, prepare for them, and act against many of them. https://yourhealthmagazine.net/article/addiction/sober-houses-rules-that-you-should-follow/ Explore why caffeine and nicotine are drugs excused in recovery and their impacts on the healing journey.

Understanding Alcohol Cravings

Self-talk and affirmations are powerful cognitive tools in the journey of overcoming alcohol cravings. They involve consciously vocalizing positive statements to oneself, reaffirming an individual’s ability to cope with cravings and to maintain control over their actions. They rear their intrusive heads in moments of vulnerability, sabotaging your well-intentioned journey towards an alcohol-free life.

Address Negative Emotions

The sooner a person quits drinking, the sooner they can heal or stop developing diseases or conditions. The coping skills taught in treatment are very effective for helping someone reduce or control alcohol cravings. If done correctly, therapy or counseling can reduce the number of triggers and urges a person has when trying to quit drinking. The goal is to identify the trigger and analyze the feeling the person has related to drinking. Part of the therapy is also providing the patient with coping skills and other valuable strategies to help them overcome the desire for alcohol. This might be an excellent treatment for someone who wants to still drink socially without going overboard and becoming intoxicated in the process.

“Many people still want to enjoy socializing but are mindful of wanting to average one to two drinks per day. They often try to not drink at all during the week, and allow for moderate drinking Friday through Sunday,” Dr Lee said. Depending on the amount and length of time someone drinks, they may experience symptoms when tapering. Symptoms of tapering are similar to mild or moderate withdrawal symptoms, which include the following.

• It begins by changing our thinking about heavy drinking; thinking that is often flawed and based in outdated myths and beliefs about how best to manage an alcohol problem.
• While the first can be seen as a normal desire, the latter represents a craving which entails a mental preoccupation with alcohol that typically leads to problematic drinking.
• Maybe you experience your strongest cravings when you feel anxious or stressed or find yourself facing conflict with someone you care about.
• It’s not always easy to do, and you will have to fight the urge instead of avoiding it, but with time, your body will disconnect the link between alcohol and pleasure.
• But even when you don’t know anyone else trying to make a similar change, friends and loved ones can still offer emotional support.

Movement and Recovery

This can result in individuals experiencing an internal battle between wanting to and not wanting to give in to cravings, which can be stressful and upsetting. Sometimes you can’t avoid triggers which may be feelings you have or a physical condition that sober house comes on from time to time. Once you experience the urge, distract yourself with something that takes your attention. Then check back in with yourself in minutes and see if the urge’s intensity has changed. This can be a helpful strategy early in your efforts to change your drinking and manage your urges.

Holistic Drug Detox Approaches to Get Free From Addiction

7 in 10 adults struggling with substance addiction report being in recovery. Discover five ways to support a loved one through treatment, offering guidance and hope for recovery. Consider how giving into an urge keeps it alive while not giving in to the urge slowly kills it. While you can’t make the urge go away, you can see it for what it is.

How to Stop Alcohol Cravings: Expert Tips for Effective Management

After finishing a drink, take a 20-minute break before having another. This pause reduces the urge to binge, important for contexts like college settings, where the pressure to drink can be intense. An awareness of such habits and triggers not only supports moderation but enhances overall well-being. Creating a plan for alcohol consumption enhances awareness about personal habits.

This process can include trial and error, and that’s part of the process. You can also join Monument’s online alcohol support groups to hear what’s worked for other members. Generally, a craving is defined as a subjective experience of wanting to use a drug. The experience is highly variable depending on numerous factors, including your mood, environment, where you are in the alcohol recovery timeline, and beyond.

• While mindfulness and patience are long-term strategies, immediate, practical steps can also be taken to manage cravings effectively.
• Once the treatment center has all the information, they create a tailored plan, ensuring the person gets the specific alcohol addiction treatments they need to recover effectively.
• Overcoming these cravings often involves various strategies such as alcohol detox, alcohol rehab, cognitive-behavioral therapy, support groups, and lifestyle adjustments.
• Understanding these sensations can help individuals identify and manage alcohol cravings effectively.
• ” Note how these reactions vary across time as you respond passively to the urge.

They are there to answer questions, check in on the person in transit and help them overcome any issues or fears they have while they are on the way. The goal is to help them get there as quickly as possible with minimal stress. The patient can reach out to them at any point for reassurance and guidance.