Drug addiction & abuse
Drug addiction is a complex condition that can cause serious mental and physical issues. Those who suffer from addiction can develop drug dependency, which can make it difficult to quit. Drug use can take over your life, destroy relationships and cause serious health problems.
People suffering from drug addiction – and their family members – often don’t know what to do or where to turn. Asking for help is the first step to recovery. Aurora Health Care’s team of drug addiction treatment specialists can help free you from the debilitating physical and emotional effects of drug abuse.
Signs of a drug addiction
If you are abusing drugs, you may deny that you have a problem. Your family members and friends might have concerns about your symptoms, but they might not connect their worries to drug abuse.
Watch for these warning signs of addiction:
- Problems at work, school or home
- Unexplained injuries or accidents
- Changes in daily activities like eating and sleeping
- Legal troubles
- Financial problems or an unexplained need for money
If you notice any of these signs of addiction, you or your loved one may need help:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Shakes, tremors or slurred speech
- Poor personal hygiene, including unusual smells on clothes
- Being unable to stop or limit drug use
- Using increased amounts of drugs to get the same effect
- Feeling withdrawal symptoms when drug use stops
- Seizures that aren’t caused by epilepsy
- Giving up activities to use drugs or to recover from their use
Drug addiction can be dangerous in many ways. It can cause damage to the mind and body – leading to health problems such as communicable diseases like Hepatitis C, seizures and even suicidal thoughts. So when seeking help, it’s important to get the right treatment, support and counseling.
The team at Aurora Health Care treats the following types of addiction:
- Cocaine addiction
- Heroin addiction
- Morphine addiction
- LSD addiction
- Marijuana addiction
- Sedatives addiction
- Speed addiction
- PCP
- Ecstasy addiction
- Prescription medication addiction
- Opioid addiction
- Meth addiction
Along your recovery journey, you may experience withdrawal symptoms as you discontinue drug use. These symptoms vary based on the drug - one drug can cause strong physical effects while another may cause severe emotional effects.
Physical drug withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Nausea & vomiting
- Sweats
- Heart palpitations
- Chest tightness and difficulty breathing
- Tremors
Emotional drug withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Poor concentration
Risk factors
Experts aren’t sure what causes some people to use or abuse drugs – it's possible that genetic factors play a role. Men, teenagers and young adults have a higher risk of drug abuse.
Other drug abuse risk factors include:
- Social and peer pressure
- Stress
- Depression
- Panic disorders
- Easy access to drugs
- Spending time with people who abuse drugs
- Having family members with drug abuse problems
Substance abuse program
Are you struggling with addiction? You’re not alone. At Aurora Behavioral Health Services, we offer a number of drug addiction treatments so you can break free from drug abuse and get the help you need.
Our Substance Abuse Program treatments include evening counseling, residential drug rehab and inpatient detox. Our team of experts will work with you and your family one-on-one. Together, we’ll find the best course of treatment to help you recover and return to good health.
Addiction treatment centers
The Aurora Health Care Dewey Center is a residential drug abuse treatment program where you’ll enjoy professional, expert care in a comfortable setting. Our addiction treatment specialists provide comprehensive education, therapy and treatment to both individuals and their family members. All facets of the program are designed to help you in your addiction recovery process.
Aurora Psychiatric Hospital
1220 Dewey Ave.
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
414-454-6600
Other drug treatment centers in Wisconsin include:
Aurora Medical Center – Sheboygan County
3400 Union Ave.
Sheboygan, WI 53081
920-802-2100
Aurora St. Luke's South Shore
5900 S. Lake Dr.
Cudahy, WI 53110
414-489-9000
Doctor’s Court Programs of Aurora Medical Center
414 Doctor’s Ct.
Oshkosh, WI 54901
920-303-5210
Drug addiction support groups
Our addiction support groups, as well as volunteer and alumni services, create a network you can rely on. These groups open the doors to connections with people you can relate to and those who understand your journey.
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