However, in 2018 and 2019, the state started witnessing an overall decline in drug use. Despite this encouraging downward trend, drug-related deaths in Massachusetts are still twice the national average, with hundreds and thousands of people passing away from the use of opioids, heroin, and other drugs. Here are the most common types of addictions in Massachusetts:
Physical and Chemical
Physical or chemical addictions involve ingesting substances into one’s body. Massachusetts is a state that has been hit hard by the opioid crisis. Nevertheless, prescription drugs aren’t the only ones causing addiction issues in the Bay State.
Alcohol
Between 2018 and 2019, 5,052 people aged 12 and older reported binge drinking in Massachusetts. Alcohol is a commonly abused substance in the US, partly because it is legal for people aged 21 and older. However, it is also often accessible to people of all ages.
Heavy consumption of alcohol results in addiction, thereby affecting the brain’s communication pathways. It is a central nervous system depressant, so it slows the brain’s activity when misused. The short and long-term side effects of alcohol abuse range from impaired judgment to dehydration, shrinking brain, mood swings, liver damage, weight gain, muscle cramps, cardiovascular diseases, etc.
Alcohol has become a staple in society and that makes it much easier to be misused. It is important to recognize the affect it has on your life and seek help early on to avoid more problems down the road.
Opioids
Nearly 88 percent of drug overdose deaths (1,991 deaths) in Massachusetts happened due to opioid use in 2018. As a class of narcotics, opioids involve both naturally derived drugs from the opium poppy plant and synthetic drugs made in labs. All opioids affect people in the same way. They bind to opioid receptors on neurons, stimulating the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with the feeling of reward and pleasure.
Opioids have addictive qualities. Once you develop a tolerance to the drug, it means you will have to take more of it to experience the same high. And once you become dependent, you will be tempted to continue the use to avoid withdrawal symptoms, even if you are well aware of the repercussions of your actions. The various side effects of opioids include sedation, dizziness, slowed heart rate, tolerance, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, respiratory depression, etc.
Marijuana
One of Massachusetts’s most commonly used drugs, weed or cannabis, is a bundle of dried-up leaves taken from the plant Cannabis Sativa.
A wide array of marijuana strains and available on the market, some containing more tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than others. THC is a psychoactive compound associated with the production of a high. So, while you consume weed, ensure you know the amount of THC present in the strain of cannabis.
The adverse and unpredictable side effects of marijuana range from euphoria to fear and distrust, relaxation, impaired judgment, sedation, anxiety, hallucinations, panic delusions, and a lost sense of identity.
Behavioral
Any persistent, repeated behavior out of control is referred to as behavioral addiction. While experts are even unsure whether behavioral addictions are real, the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition drew attention by explicitly including such behaviors in the addictions category.
Behaviorlal counselors can be a great tool when battling any of this addictions. They can help you face your emotions or the reason behind the addiction and come up with an effective treatment plan for you.
Gambling
Are you constantly trying your odds? Of all behavioral addictions, gambling is one that closely resembles drug and alcohol addiction. Several studies show that gambling adduction light up the same areas of the brain as drug addictions.
With the convenience of online gambling it is so much easier to get addicted. These quick play options can cause a problem for some and take away from other aspects of your life.
Internet
Yes, we live in a connected world. But it is also possible to be too plugged in. Though it isn’t considered a true addiction, internet addiction can be a problem for some people when they lose control and behave violently when they don’t have access to the internet.
It is important to be able to step away and live in the present moment. Too much time spent on the internet can lead to comparison and can negatively affect a person’s life. Seek professional help if you are struggling with internet addiction.
Signs of addictions
Most teenagers and young adults experiment with the main component of addiction. For instance, heroin or marijuana. But this only makes them more susceptible to developing an addiction later in their life. Perhaps, the main sign of addiction is spending a significant amount of time on an act or substance.
Massachusetts had devised various ideas to curb drug use among its teenagers, like drug screening at schools. However, the most effective measure is awareness or education. It is essential to teach parents to identify signs and symptoms in their children regarding an addition, talk to them about it, and find an effective treatment strategy.
Seek Addiction Treatment
You will often find a wide array of treatment options and resources for people with addiction and their loved ones. Though it is difficult to admit to an addiction, it is the only way to get help. To take the first important step towards seeking help, reach out to reputable Massachusetts rehab centers.
Depending on the degree of dependence, it can be quickly solved, or you might have to spend some time in rehab. Either way, the results are definitely worth it. It can change your life while also changing the lives of those around you. It is possible to find peace and overcome your additction through the use of these resources.
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