Substance abuse is a national epidemic: every year, there are millions of people with substance addiction who need treatment. Over the years, Los Angeles County, CA, has seen an influx of this need for substance addiction treatment and mental health care. Whether it is alcohol, opioids, or any other substance addiction, professionals such as a psychiatrist in El Segundo and surrounding areas are there to help.

Understanding Substance Abuse and Its Impact

Substance abuse is an insatiable and uncontrollable use of drugs or alcohol, despite the adverse effects on the user’s health or life. It can be detrimental to the person, their family, workplace, or community. Long-term effects—severe organ impact, mental syndromes, debt, and broken relationships—have been the cost of substance abuse.

Early and Late Symptoms of Substance Abuse

Timely recognition triggers early treatment that prevents deterioration.

Early Symptoms:

• Increased secrecy or isolation – Addicted people lose interest in getting together with their families and friends and rarely go out. Club parties and picnics turn into a reclusive nature or false secrecy.
• Sudden changes in behavior – Abrupt mood swings, bursts of agitation, and aggressiveness are some alarming signs in conjunction with the habit of searching for drugs.
• Mood swings or irritability – Affected brain chemistry affects mood changes: a person may be euphoric today and ask you about the meaning of his or her life tomorrow.
• Neglecting responsibilities – The most predictable part of this stage is the consequential performance decline in one’s work, school, or any other responsibility, which is driven by damage in focus and motivation.
• Financial problems due to spending on substances – Buying drugs or alcohol becomes a priority over everything else, making people skip bill payments, take loans everywhere, or even steal to maintain the habit.
• Physical signs such as bloodshot eyes, weight fluctuations, or poor hygiene – The effect is tangible: some people burst with sudden weight loss, terrible hygiene, or chronic fatigue.

Late Symptoms:

• Severe health issues (liver damage, heart problems, respiratory issues) – The long-term impact of drugs on the liver, heart, and lungs has resulted in a downgrade of more than one of these organs and conditions, such as liver failure, heart disease, or lung damage.
• Legal and financial troubles – Guilt in numerous legal issues warrants arrests, lawsuits, and various legal troubles nobody would like to possess. They may also owe more than they can afford to damage.
• Loss of employment – Chronic substance abuse is an obstacle to burnt-out jobs, demotions, and many other obstacles. Unreliable, poor performance, and absence create difficulties for employment.
• Broken relationships and social isolation – Addiction has been a reason for stress and disputes with families, friends, and colleagues. Disturbed trust, claims, disputes, and emotional neglect trigger loneliness rather than a close connection.
• Co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety – Mental health conditions often motivate drug and alcohol abuse. Anxiety and depression symptoms, even psychosis, elevate anxiety or depression and spoil the mental condition, making it more challenging to handle.
• High risk of overdose or death – The long use of drugs considerably raises the possibility of overdose. An overdose impassiveness can cost a life, without immediate medical help and attention.

Knowing these signs, mollifying before timely substance abuse treatment would not do them harm. Fortunately, Los Angeles County, CA, provides all possible means to assist, from detox to rehabilitation.

Common Causes of Substance Abuse

To effectively treat it, it is important to understand what constitutes your addiction. It can be several reasons:

1. Genetics – Before tracing your addiction background history, it is important to note the associated family history. Studies have made it clear that addiction becomes more common for genetically related individuals, making them more likely to have issues with drugs or alcohol.
2. Mental Health Disorders – Conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia motivate individuals to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. Falling into a dark addiction cycle worsens both conditions and their causes.
3. Environmental Influences – Peer pressure, contradictory drug exposure, and accepted local culture directly contribute to addiction. Social standards drive the taste for drug use within reach.
4. Trauma and Stress – People who have a history of childhood trauma, abuse, or stress are more likely to be addicted. Many of them turn to drugs or alcohol to escape unbearable emotional distress.
5. Lack of Support – Without family or friends, they encounter obstacles and turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. The sudden feeling of being disqualified from life can coincide with the absence of role models.

The Role of a Psychiatrist in El Segundo in Substance Abuse Treatment

A psychiatrist in El Segundo has a central role in treating substance abuse disorders. Specializing in mental health disorders that accompany addiction, these professionals intervene with therapy, medications, and treatment plans. Over time, they keep the person on the right path.

Services Provided by a Psychiatrist in Substance Abuse Treatment:

• Comprehensive Assessments – The psychiatrist evaluates and diagnoses mental health and substance abuse history to create unique treatment plans, ensuring a timely, detailed approach.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) – Some medications help prevent symptoms that make withdrawal and cravings unbearable. An early prescription would mean less detox-related agony.
• Therapy and Counseling – Individual, group, and community approach allows the person to address the underlying reasons for their addiction. Techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help address these issues effectively.
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment – Many individuals have mental disorders or diagnosed diseases along with addiction. Keeping both diagnoses in mind, the psychiatrist provides treatment that addresses both conditions.
• Aftercare and Relapse Prevention – Continued support, along with a structured treatment plan, helps preserve long-term sobriety. Self-identity, organization, and proper post-treatment care significantly reduce the chances of relapse.

Why Getting Treatment Matters

Many of us do not seek substance abuse treatment due to stigma, denial, or fear; nevertheless, professional substance abuse treatment can transform a person’s life for the better. Recovery from addiction is a challenging journey – but with proper medical care, counseling, and community involvement, recovery is within reach.

Benefits of Seeking Substance Abuse Treatment:

• Physical and Mental Health Benefits – Those who recover from substance abuse and/or mental health conditions through professional treatment improve their physical and mental health considerably.
• Relationship and Social Benefits – During the process of intervention, people fix harmed relationships with loved ones, partners, and colleagues and are able to resolve relationship issues and reconnect with those who matter.
• Professional and Financial Benefit – Maintaining sobriety results in enhanced concentration, motivation, and workplace performance, which leads to job security and financial increase.
• Legal Benefit – Once people take action to recover, they are no longer subjected to the consequences of substance abuse, including legal issues like DUI and other charges.
• Life Benefit – Sobriety minimizes the risks of life-threatening conditions and boosts the quality of life.

Summary

Los Angeles County, CA, is home to countless individuals and families suffering from frequent substance abuse. Fortunately, they can receive appropriate substance abuse treatment to regain control over their lives. In El Segundo, a psychiatrist offers the dedicated attention, care, and medical treatment to encourage life change in a person.

If you or a loved one suffers from substance abuse, do not hesitate to get help today. There is always hope for recovery, and living sober is possible with proper treatment and support.

Strick reminder from Brain Health USA to seek a doctor’s advice in addition to using this app and before making any medical decisions.

Read our previous blog post here: https://brainhealthusa.com/psychiatrist-el-monte-los-angeles-county-california/