Statistics show that over 21 million Americans have an addiction. You or someone close to you can struggle with a substance abuse disorder. You discover the root cause of addiction and find solutions if you understand how a day in the life of an addict is.
An addict's day is a mix of hell and purgatory. The addict feels stuck in a perpetual loop of time that they cannot get away from it. Addiction is a progressive condition. The addict's problem worsens as they don't get help for their illness. Addiction has various effects on the addict's health, relationships, finances, and profession.
What Does A Typical Day Look Like For An Addict?
A day in the life of an addict has similarities with that of a someone without an addiction problem. They wake up, prepare, go to work, and return home. However, there are a few differences between them.
One difference is the desire to use drugs. An addict has an urge to use drugs during their day. This craving's extent depends on the drug they use, the length of addiction, and the period since their last score. Addicts can go to great lengths to satisfy the craving. They can abscond their work or lie to get money for drugs.
Once they get their hands on their substance of choice, the addict cannot stop themselves from using it. They may think they need the drug to stop some symptoms, enjoy the rush, or save their life. Addicts can prioritize this moment over their work, loved ones, or financial standing.
If they don't get the regular score they want, they find other ways to get the drug. For example, they can find other dealers if their regular ones aren't available. They may even steal money for drugs or rob facilities with the substance they need. These actions put them at risk of getting into trouble with the law.
Why Addicts Don't Seek Help for Addiction
Many addicts don't realize they have a problem, so they don't seek help. When they discover they have an addiction, they find justifications to avoid drug abuse treatment.
- Addicts think they can stop their drug abuse. They have a delusion of control over the addiction. However, withdrawal and cravings can make them abuse drugs, even when they don't want to misuse them.
- Addicts can use other people's situations to justify their reluctance to get addiction treatment. They can find cases whose addictions are worse than theirs and claim they don't need help if they aren't seeking it.
- Addicts fear stigma. They worry what others will think of them if they come out as addicts. Stigma is a leading challenge facing addicts, and it stops them from seeking help.
- Addicts may feel they cannot afford addiction treatment. They may worry that it will strain their budget and deny their loved ones some essentials, such as fees.
- Some addicts believe they don't have a problem. They deny their substance abuse for various reasons, such as not showing weakness.
- Some addicts think that addiction treatment will not work. They cite some cases where addicts relapsed after seeking help and think their cases will be similar.
Effects of Addiction
The consequences of addiction are extensive. They may affect addicts, family members, friends, and colleagues at work.
- Legal: Addicts can get into legal trouble because of their addiction. For example, they may abuse illicit substances, use illegal means to get drugs or commit crimes when intoxicated. These actions have various consequences, such as fines, jail terms, and losing custody of kids.
- Financial: Research shows that a habitual drug user spends $16.94 – $35.06 per day on drugs. They could have used this cash for other essential expenses, such as food, school fees, and rent. Once their money runs out, they can pawn their valuables, borrow, or forego some areas to get the funds for drugs.
- Relationships: Addicts' relationships take a toll because of their addiction. They may have less time for their loved ones, argue with people that tell them to seek help, or presume their loved ones are out to get them. The breakdown of these ties makes them feel more isolated, and it can make them use more drugs.
- Health: Addicts' health can suffer because of their addiction. They may contract diseases through their drug paraphernalia. For example, contaminated needles can spread HIV/AIDS. The drugs may also affect their organs and other body parts. If they don't get a score, they can have withdrawal symptoms.
- Work: Addicts' work can take a hit because of their addiction. Their reliance on drugs can limit their concentration spans, cause absence, or lower their productivity. Colleagues may need to cover for them, and employers can let them go if they don't deliver their employment terms.
- Social life: Addicts' social lives suffer as they prioritize their drug abuse. They have less time for hobbies. The addicts may also disconnect from friends that they presume don't understand their struggles.
Getting Help for Drug Addiction
Addiction is a dangerous illness that worsens as you don't seek treatment. It causes unbearable cravings that drive one towards drug abuse. Addicts go to great extents to get their score, such as lying and stealing. Getting professional help is the best way to overcome it.
The stigma, denial, and shame associated with drug abuse treatment can make an addict hesitant to seek help. However, addicts should seek help to deal with addiction's consequences. Professional drug abuse treatment helps addicts identify triggers, understand their addiction, mend ties, and stop their drug use safely. Encourage the addict to seek treatment to help them get better.
How Coastline Behavioral Health Can Help
If you or your loved one needs addiction treatment, Coastline Behavioral Health in California can help. We offer affordable, reliable, and customizable addiction treatment services. Our experts will guide you through the best programs, such as luxury rehab, outpatient treatment, and inpatient care. Once the addict completes a detox program, we will help them recover to ensure they remain sober.
Call us today at (714) 841-2260 to discover more about our addiction treatment services.