Drug Addiction Treatment for Less-Addictive Substances

Drug addiction treatment is still crucial for people who abuse supposedly less-addictive substances. Even though some drugs don’t cause severe dependencies, drug addiction treatment is still necessary to stop their harmful effects and address the problem of psychological addiction. People often use marijuana, mushrooms, and other psychotropic substances under the assumption that avoiding physical addiction is the only important factor in mitigating the harmful effects of drug use. They are gravely mistaken. The following are some of the most important questions people should ask when seeking drug addiction treatment for less-addictive substances.

Is Detox Necessary?

Detoxification may not be necessary for psychedelics and other less-addictive drugs in the same sense that it is required for meth, cocaine, and other narcotics. “Harder” drugs typically cause users to develop severe physical dependencies, and their brains become reliant on drugs to perform normal tasks.

However, even non-physical drug addictions can require some form of detox or general withdrawal. People who are accustomed to the constant use of any substance will have difficulties in immediately changing their habits, and emotional withdrawal symptoms can still cause problems. For example, those who typically get high on marijuana every day may find themselves anxious or depressed without their regular fix.

What is Psychological Addiction?

Medical professionals and laypeople alike often refer to mind-altering drugs as psychologically addictive. While they don’t cause physical habit-formation, people who abuse these substances become psychologically dependent on the escape from reality they offer.

Like physical dependencies, psychological addictions can be exacerbated by pre-existing mental illnesses. Those who suffer from depression may constantly look forward to their daily, drug-induced highs. Likewise, people with anxiety issues may crave the relief they get from smoking marijuana or eating mushrooms – even if they don’t crave the substance itself. Overall, even less-addictive drugs can cause people to exhibit highly addictive behaviors.

What are the Social Consequences of Drug Use?

Even if certain drugs don’t lead to physical addiction, they can often cause social problems for users. Although many young people now embrace marijuana, most employers will discriminate against those who have used it; being high can be extremely detrimental in a work environment. Friends and family members can also become angered with people who constantly show up high to gatherings and events. Over time, their anger may turn to worry and frustration, and maintaining healthy relationships can become all but impossible without drug addiction treatment.

What Are the Legal Penalties for Less-Addictive Drugs?

Despite whatever perceptions people have regarding different drugs’ levels of danger and addictiveness, most commonly-abused illegal substances are Schedule-I according to the Controlled Substances Act. This means that possessing marijuana can bring someone just as much jail time or just as many fines as heroin, crack, or meth. People throw away bright futures all the time as they are repeatedly caught with marijuana, mescaline, and other less-addictive drugs.

Does Less Addictive Mean Less Dangerous?

A drug can be completely non-habit-forming in the physical sense but still be extremely dangerous. For example, people who use LSD have been known to experience frightening flashbacks years after even a one-time use. Repeat users often do irreparable damage to their cognitive abilities.

On the other hand, substances which are extremely addictive can be relatively benign. Millions of people across the United States are addicted to caffeine – a drug which has questionable health effects but is nowhere near as harmful as marijuana or cocaine. Overall, it makes little sense to try to determine drugs’ dangers from their addictive potentials.

If you are struggling with any type of drug abuse, call the number above for a free and confidential consultation. Addiction is a crippling disease, but there is always hope for recovery. Act now and get started on a proven drug addiction treatment program that will help you get back on your feet.