4 Reasons Your Body Needs Treatment Through Addiction

Addiction takes its toll on a person, in both mind, body, and spirit. Most think that the only physical treatment available for the body is detoxification, where the body is rid of the addictive substance through withdrawal. However, the damage done by addiction on the body often requires more than just getting it out of your system. There are several reasons why, during recovery, your body needs treatment as well.

Withdrawal Itself

Addiction can lead to cardiac arrest.

The withdrawal and detoxification process is usually the first step of treatment, and it can also be the most difficult. Addiction is a disease that controls every aspect of the person’s life, so it is understandable that it may put up a fight when treatment begins.

Effectively, it’s as if the addiction is holding the person hostage. As the addictive substance leaves the body, the addiction will demand more.

Usually, detoxification puts excessive stress on the body, which can cause further complications. While the complications can be treated once the detoxification process is complete, some treatment plans do suggest that withdrawal should occur under medical supervision, especially in cases of long-term usage and severe complications.

Kidney & Liver Damage

The main purpose of a person’s kidneys and liver is to filter out toxins from the body. Normally, the body can handle filtering out standard doses of medications and alcohol without any noticeable issues.

With addiction, the dosages a person takes of the substance they are addicted to are well beyond what the kidneys and liver can handle, and are often taken with high frequency.

Usually, those who go into recovery for addiction have severe kidney and liver damage, and will need continuous treatment. According to the NIDA, the average estimated cost for kidney dialysis for one person is around $50,000. The worse the damage, the more likely the chances are of the organs failing and requiring extensive measures like a transplant in order to survive.

Cardiovascular Effects

Addictive substances have quite the effect on the body, and most often these effects put excess strain on the heart. As many substances function as stimulants, they often cause an immediate cardiac changes, like an increased heart rate. The NIDA states that addiction can cause small changes in heart rate to full blown cardiac arrest.

Addictions that require injection of the drug directly into the blood stream have their own list of problems. The most common side effects are bacterial infections, which can wreak havoc on blood vessels and cells, as well as affect structures of the heart like the valves.

Treatment to prevent further damage is always necessary during recovery, even if the damage that has already been done can’t be reversed.

Hormonal Changes

Addiction causes the body’s entire chemistry to change. More common with steroid addiction and abuse, hormonal changes can occur during addiction. The drug disrupts the body’s normal hormone production, which can cause changes that may or may not be irreversible.

Many drugs, not just steroids, have caused changes in menstrual cycles for women. Often, infertility is a common side effect of addiction in both men and women, and can lead to further problems down the line.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, know that there is help available. For information on treatment options, please contact one of our caring specialists through our website or call us at 800-996-6135(Who Answers?) .