Society in general assumes drug addicts begin their journey into the drug world because they had a troubled childhood or spent much of their youth involved in wild partying. This assumption is inaccurate in many cases. Many people suffering from anxiety or depression attempt to alleviate their symptoms by taking drugs. A great number of young adults and teenagers do not feel comfortable receiving help from a mental health professional so they turn to street drugs as a way of self medicating. “Kit Kat,” or “Special K,” contains ketamine and individuals with depression may feel better after taking this drug as it seems to give the user a sensation of “out of body” floatation. People with anxiety often use alcohol or marijuana to mask the symptoms and feel more relaxed or self confident. However, it does not take long for dependency on drugs and/or alcohol to take hold.
Self medicating can be dangerous and life threatening. While the symptoms may be eased for a short time, the actual depression or anxiety does not go away and the substances used can actually increase the symptoms plus add new ones such as paranoia. Individuals addicted to alcohol or drugs should enter a rehabilitation center where they will go through the process of detoxification or detox process. In the rehab center they will usually receive a mental assessment and evaluation to determine if prescription drugs are necessary. Some people receive a dual diagnosis, which means they have alcohol and/or drug addiction along with a mental disorder such as depression or anxiety. Doctors can determine the proper medication regimen to help improve the quality of the individuals’ lives.
Rehab centers are available for most people regardless of their financial status. If looking for an affordable rehab center, calls to various centers will provide information regarding the cost of their programs. Some people may qualify for Medicaid and others may have employment benefits that pay for rehab services.
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