Addiction affects anyone. Did you know that 2 out of 100 Filipinos have tried using drugs at least once in their lifetime? This data is from the 2019 survey of the Dangerous Drugs Board. In other words, almost 1.7 million Filipinos have used drugs. Addiction to drugs has taken a toll on society. Non-users have deemed users as dangerous or vindictive. That is why Oplan Tokhang or most commonly known in english terms as the war on drugs, made the headlines locally and internationally. Because the President wanted to stop drug use, he resorted to this sort of action plan to agitate drug users, pushers, and drug lords.
However, addiction isn’t so easily intimidated with threats. Drug users are particularly dependent on the effects of the drugs they are using. There are different types of drug users based on how dependent they are on drugs. Knowing these will predict if they will most likely be intimidated or not when it comes to the Oplan Tokhang. Usually, those who are heavily dependent would shrug off the government warnings. Even so, addiction to drugs must be managed especially to those who want to change and have a drug-free life. In this blog, we will be talking about what is addiction, the types of drug users, and the best way to manage addiction and recover from it.
Addiction: Many Ways In, No Way Out?
Addiction is for many people, a pattern of uncontrolled behaviour that affects the quality of life. However, according to the American Psychiatric Association, addiction is a chronic brain disease that is complex and it needs proper intervention. Addiction to drugs is also known as substance use disorder or SUD. This means that people who are addicted to drugs have misused the substance that affects their lives. the tendency to consume the drugs often, which leads them to distorted thinking and unnatural behaviours.
Illegal drugs are chemically formulated to alter the brain’s neurosynapses, affecting response and reward system. Drug users who are dependent on cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and opioids like heroin are most likely to have physical and psychological symptoms. The physical symptoms that drug users have are alert eyes, dark eyebags, pale lips, weight loss, and popping veins in arms. When it comes to psychological symptoms of drug abuse, the user has the tendency to consume the drugs often, which leads them to distorted thinking and unnatural behaviours.
What are the types of Drug Users?
Drug users have different dependency levels. This means that one drug user is different from one another in terms of how dependent they are on the type of drugs they prefer. The drug user dependency levels are:
Mild Dependency – these are drug users who use drugs casually and have minor addiction that affects their quality of life, but not to the point that it destroys their whole well-being. Mild dependency drug users can still get on with their normal lives without having too many side effects.
Moderate Dependency – these are the drug users who consume drugs at a moderate level. It could be every day that they use drugs. They may also use these drugs at least once or twice a day. Impaired functioning and distorted thinking may be shown. Therapy and other intervention methods can work for them.
Severe Dependency – these are the drugs users who are heavily dependent on their preferred drug and is having difficulty in doing daily tasks and maintaining relationships. Visibly impaired quality of life is shown. They need inpatient rehabilitation treatment with medical prescription.
Addiction in the Philippines
The Philippines’ popular drugs abused are ‘shabu’ or methamphetamine, marijuana, and ecstasy. Different Filipino people from all walks of life use these drugs and their quality of life has been affected with these.
However, addiction is treatable. It takes a lot of hard work and determination to recover from drugs. There are numerous drug rehabilitation centers and government programs that can help you jumpstart your recovery process. They have professionals who can guide you throughout the journey.
How to Manage the Addictive Tendencies
Recovering from addiction does not happen overnight. In fact, it goes through a process where some, if not most, would find it challenging. Still, it is a commitment to do the recovery treatment plan. When actively managing an addiction, you can do the following:
Accept that you need help
This is the most crucial step. A person who wants to recover from drug abuse must accept that something needs to be changed in his or her life. When you have mentally prepared your mind for the journey that you are embarking on, you are most likely to take the first step and continue walking towards the finish line.
Get screened
When you are going for a recovery process, it’s important that you will fill out the assessment tools needed to determine what type of drug user are you and what treatment would be best for you. There are different drug tests and screening options available in your barangay, health centers, and local rehabilitation centers. You can also reach out to anti-drug abuse NGOs to refer you to a screening or testing center.
Take the first steps and continue moving forward
They say ‘the first step is often the hardest’ but for many people in recovery from drug abuse, it’s often harder to continue treatment because it may elicit unwanted emotions and awaken past experiences. This is actually normal to those who are in the recovery process. However, you have the option to continue the treatment because it’s all part of the process. You need to come to terms with what needs to be changed and how you can improve for the better.
Need Talk Therapy Before Your Drug Recovery Journey?
Counselling or therapy have sessions that divide the activities for the patient’s well-being. Here is the breakdown of therapeutic activities per session.
- Pre-assessment forms (first session)- the patient will answer the intake form, informed consent, ug initial screening for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
- Initial Assessment (second session)- the psychologist or therapist in charge will introduce himself, get to know the patient, discuss the therapy, and ask the patient about their problem.
- Diagnosis and treatment plan (third session) – the psychologist briefs the patient about the diagnosis and what they can do during the next sessions. The psychologist also gives a self-intensive treatment plan for the patient to individually work on.
- Updates on the treatment plan (4th session and beyond) – the psychologist checks the patient for progress during the sessions and suggests other methods should the patient have struggles in following the treatment plan.
Optional: Booster sessions – these are enhancement sessions wherein the psychologist checks on the patient for gradual improvement and prevent regression. The patient also has the freedom to proceed to another kind of therapy to solve another inner conflict or improve personal development.
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