Addiction was once seen as a “personality flaw” that an individual could change if they wanted to. Research has transformed that outlook by discovering the biopsychosocial model of addiction and emerging treatment modalities to address the psychological, biological and social causes of addiction.

Abusing drugs or alcohol is not something anyone wants to do, just like no one wishes to suffer from a chronic disease. Addiction is a disease, much like high blood pressure or cancer are both diseases. They require professional treatment provided by addiction specialists, prescription medications to lessen cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms, and addressing difficulties before they arise.

Substance Use Disorders

Every year, millions of Americans lose their lives to addiction, whether from an overdose or medical complications related to chronic substance misuse. You don’t have to let a substance use disorder affect your health, relationships, and emotional well-being.

At Beach House Center for Recovery, our treatment programs are customized to meet the specific requirements of each patient who enters our facility. Whether there is a pattern of drug or alcohol misuse or if this is the first attempt at recovery, our skilled team of therapists and medical professionals work closely with patients to develop effective, sustainable rehabilitation strategies.

Beach House Center for Recovery helps patients address the following types of addiction to substances:

Alcohol

Alcohol use disorder, known commonly as alcoholism, is among the leading causes of premature death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol overuse causes more than 380 deaths per day in the United States. Indications of alcohol use disorder include difficulty concentrating, memory loss, slurred speech, impulsive or risk-taking behaviors, compromised brain function, and reduced motor skills.

Cocaine

Cocaine is a very powerful, highly addictive stimulant. It produces a euphoric sensation and can cause high-risk behaviors and a reduction in impulse control. Over time, the body becomes tolerant of cocaine, with continued use inhibiting the brain’s reward pathway. This phenomenon causes increased feelings of depression and despair when the drug is not being used. Heavy, continual use can cause anxiety attacks, hallucinations, and paranoia.

Heroin

Heroin, classified as an opioid, is arguably the world’s most notorious illicit drug. Heroin is extremely addictive and has high rates of overdose and physical dependency. Continued heroin use can severely impair the physiology of the brain, causing a permanent reduction in impulse control and behavior regulation. Other effects include depression, increased susceptibility to infections, collapsed veins, disordered sleep patterns, and reduced fertility.

Opioids

Opioids are a class of drugs that interact with the brain’s opioid receptors; they activate pleasure signals and inhibit pain signals, simultaneously relieving pain and causing feelings of euphoria. While many are derived from the poppy plant (morphine and codeine, for example), extremely powerful synthetic versions (fentanyl) are becoming increasingly common.

Benzodiazepines (Benzos)

Benzodiazepine drugs, sometimes called tranquilizers or “benzos,” are sedatives prescribed for medical use. Benzodiazepines are prescribed to reduce anxiety symptoms, but they can trigger physical dependence after only a few months of use, and cause severe physical withdrawal symptoms. These include seizures, loss of focus, hallucinations, depression, and sleeplessness.

Xanax

Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, a type of benzodiazepine drug prescribed for panic disorders and depression-related anxiety. It has an extremely high potential for addiction and, according to a report published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, causes more severe withdrawal symptoms (in addition to symptoms of rebound anxiety) than other types of benzodiazepines due to its dosing and accessibility. Physical withdrawal symptoms from Xanax can be life-threatening.

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine, or crystal meth, is a dangerously addictive narcotic that gives users a euphoric high. Methamphetamine elevates dopamine levels and adrenaline, which elevates mood, heightens energy levels, and increases feelings of confidence. The powerful stimulation can alter neurological pathways and inhibit dopamine production, effectively triggering feelings of severe depression when not using the drug. Long-term methamphetamine use can lead to psychotic episodes that might continue months or sometimes years after cessation.

Prescription Drugs

Addiction to prescription medications occurs when people become physically and psychologically dependent on the drugs, even when the drugs are taken to treat legitimate medical symptoms. While the euphoric sensation of some categories of prescription drugs can lead to addiction, people who suffer from chronic, severe pain often become physically dependent upon prescription painkillers. 

Marijuana

Marijuana is a commonly used substance in the United States due to its affordability and accessibility. Though it is largely viewed as a less harmful substance than opioids (heroin, morphine, fentanyl) or stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine), increasingly powerful cannabis strains can lead to addiction and dependency.

Beach House Center for Recovery: Helping Patients Overcome Multiple Types of Addiction

Beach House Center for Recovery is a nationally recognized center for clinical excellence and is committed to being at the forefront of effective, accessible treatment for multiple types of addiction.  We provide each patient with an individualized treatment plan that addresses every facet of the desire to use. From our medically supervised detox to our latest advances in medication-assisted treatment to our alumni support program, we help you through every step of your recovery journey.

At Beach House, we believe the opposite of addiction is love and connection. Learn to love yourself again, discover the powerful connections within the recovery community, and find freedom from addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorder, please contact our compassionate and helpful admissions counselors today.