The Physical and Emotional Affects of Drug and Alcohol Addiction

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