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Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a chronic and progressive disease. Without drug rehab in Tampa, the changes that occur in the brain via long-term addiction can prove fatal.
According to the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus, not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted. Still, if a person becomes addicted to drugs, they will continue to use despite the harm it causes to their physical and mental health, their relationships, and their finances. Fortunately, Gulf Coast Recovery Center can help.
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How Does Our Drug Rehab in Tampa Work?
The process of drug rehab in Tampa can differ from person to person, but most people move through three main stages:
- Clinical assessment. Incoming patients are screened for physical and mental health issues. Also, a history of substance use is recorded.
- Medical stabilization. During detox, which can take anywhere from two to five days, patients are stabilized with medical and psychological therapies, including the administering of prescription medications to treat their withdrawal symptoms, if necessary.
- Preparation for treatment. With detox completed, preparation of a comprehensive recovery plan is in order.
Drug Addictions We Treat
Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction
The signs and symptoms of drug addiction vary widely, based on the type of drug that is being used and the physical and mental makeup of the user. However, some signs and symptoms are common regarding substance abuse. These include:
- Decreased performance at work or school
- Poor hygiene
- Loss of interest in once-beloved activities
- Relationship problems
- Secretive behaviors and social isolation
- Sleep disturbances
Physical Effects of Drug Addiction
When a person becomes addicted to drugs, their brain chemistry is altered, leading to intense cravings and compulsive drug-seeking behavior. This can result in a range of negative physical consequences:
- Tolerance. Over time, the body becomes less responsive to the drug’s effects, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired high. This can lead to overdose.
- Withdrawal. When drug use is stopped, the body experiences severe withdrawal symptoms like nausea, profuse sweating, and muscle pain. These symptoms make it extremely difficult for people to stop using drugs.
- Organ damage. Prolonged drug abuse can damage vital organs such as the liver, heart, and kidneys. Opioid abuse, for example, can slow respiratory function, while stimulant abuse can strain the heart. Long-term alcohol abuse, meanwhile, leads to liver damage.
- Infectious diseases. Injection drug use can lead to the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis through shared needles and other risky behaviors.
- Mental health issues. Substance abuse often co-occurs with a mental health disorder like anxiety or depression. Addiction exacerbates the symptoms of these disorders and vice versa.
- Physical injuries. Impaired coordination and judgment while under the influence of drugs can lead to accidents and injuries.
- Malnutrition and weight loss. Many drug users neglect proper nutrition and hygiene, leading to weight loss and malnutrition.
Long-Term Effects of Addiction
The long-term effects of drug addiction can be profound, extending beyond their immediate physical and psychological effects. These long-term effects significantly impact an individual’s life and well-being:
- Neurological changes. Prolonged drug use alters the brain’s structure and function, affecting memory, decision-making, and impulse control. Unfortunately, such changes endure long after an individual stops using drugs, making relapse an ongoing risk.
- Strain in personal relationships. Drug addiction often damages the user’s relationships with family and friends. This is due to the deceit and betrayal involved in prolonged drug abuse. Rebuilding trust can take a long time.
- Legal and financial consequences. Drug addiction can lead to legal issues, including arrests and convictions. And financial difficulties almost always arise from spending on drugs and drug paraphernalia.
- Mental health problems. Substance abuse and addiction are intricately linked to mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and bipolar. Symptoms of these co-occurring disorders can persist in recovery.
How We Treat Drug Addiction
Drug rehab in Tampa can address your unique needs and give you a comprehensive plan for recovery. This plan may include:
- A Clinical Assessment
- A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) to help you learn to manage your withdrawal. During PHP, you attend a program for several hours per day for a scheduled number of days per week.
- An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) helps those who have proven to be relatively stable and need treatment that fits around their work, school, or family duties.
- Sober Living, which can help you strengthen your resolve by providing a safe and supportive environment to reside in while you continue to work on your recovery.
What to Expect During Drug Rehab in Tampa
At Gulf Coast Recovery Center, when a person begins drug rehab, they are first clinically assessed to see whether their drug addiction is co-occurring with a mental health disorder like anxiety or depression. If it turns out they have co-occurring mental health disorders on top of the substance use disorder, a treatment plan is designed to address the client’s needs.
Our programs include the following to address a client’s addiction:
- Psychiatry and clinical assessments
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Intensive Outpatient (IOP) program
- Sober Living
How Long Does Treatment Last?
Recovery from drug addiction is an ongoing project that requires education, self-care, and fearless analysis of oneself and one’s motivations for living. There is no one-size-fits-all formula for treatment.
At Gulf Coast Recovery Center, our program begins with detoxification, in which the addictive substances are flushed from the body. This typically lasts between three and five days. Following detox, a drug treatment program is put together by qualified medical professionals who are well-versed in preparing clients for a life in recovery. While numerous factors play into how long a treatment lasts, the length of most programs are 30 days, 60 days, or 90 days.
Medically Reviewed
Medically Reviewed by
Jennifer Strong, LMHC
Written by Gulf Coast Recovery Staff Updated on January 12, 2024
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Rehab in Tampa, FL
Mental health disorders and addiction can severely impact your quality of life. But there is hope for recovery. Call Gulf Coast Recovery today to begin treatment with us.
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Begin Drug Rehab In Tampa, FL
Gulf Coast Recovery Center offers comprehensive drug rehab in Tampa. We have several options to treat drug addiction and provide ongoing support. This includes outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs. Contact us today to learn more about getting help.
TESTIMONIALS
Success Stories & Testimonials
They recognized me as an individual. This is not a place that has cookie-cutter treatments that they attempt to force every patient to fit into. They realize that different people with similar problems respond differently, some better to one type of treatment and some not so much. I feel like that is why I succeeded here.
Brandi Carr
I can’t say enough about Tampa Bay Recovery. Jeff, Josh, and the rest of the staff are compassionate, kind, and invested in your recovery. They offer wisdom and knowledge that comes from personal experience and that is invaluable. The community feel and structure gives you the support you need to concentrate on your sobriety. I would recommend this program to anyone searching for a safe sober living environment.
Jennifer London
Great community! Phenomenal housing! (Great layout, open concept, spacious, big garage). Great support network of staff! Great area of AA or NA meetings. Everyone/therapist/Technicians at TBRC are wonderful, open minded individuals that are there to listen. Your not alone so get help before it’s to late.
Anthony Biagini
I had been in all levels of treatment care before coming to TBRC. This is the first place where I found an excellent level of commitment, care and treatment. This facility truly cares for its patients. Most of the people who work at TBRC have walked in “our shoes” (the alcoholic or addict) at some point in their lives. This makes them UNIQUELY able to help and understand it’s patients. After several years of relapsing, Tampa Bay Recovery taught me how to live the life of recovery..I recommend this facility above any I have attended.
Caprice Montgomery
Getting treatment made a huge difference in my effort to try to get clean. I worked at it for ages and it just didn’t happen for long until I finally came in here. Now, I’ve been clean almost two years. It feels so good to be in control of my life again.
Karen Spencer
