The active use and circulation of narcotics in Armenia has become a serious threat to national security, including demographically, even school-age children often fall into the trap of drug dealers.
of Euromedia24in a conversation with , psychiatrist-narcologist Varduhi Shakaryan, who works intensively with drug addicts, mentions very remarkable circumstances about drug addiction, getting rid of it and restoring health.
How to understand that a person has an addiction?
- Dependence is characterized by a strong desire to use the psychoactive substance, loss of control over the amount of use, tolerance (needing a larger amount for the same effect), mental, behavioral and physical symptoms in the absence of the psychoactive substance.
What are the initial signs of addiction, by which the parent will understand that the child is in danger?
- Uncontrollable desire to use, frequent use, lying, change in behavior, mood changes, deterioration of appearance, loss of interest in work, study and social activity, isolation.
How is physical addiction different from mental addiction?
- The physical is associated with the need to use the substance to avoid symptoms, and the psychological with an irresistible desire to return to the substance, a desire to return to pleasurable feelings.
Why do some people develop addiction faster, especially among minors, this is said to be a natural phenomenon?
- The reasons can be genetic, psychological (injuries, depression), social (environment, stress) and biological. The specific age group is very vulnerable, we will talk about them separately in our next interview.
And how to get rid of that "syndrome"?
- It is a combination of physical and mental symptoms (eg, insomnia, tremors, anxiety, agitation, musculoskeletal pain) that appear immediately after withdrawal from a psychoactive substance.
What modern methods of addiction treatment are especially available to all of us?
- Detoxification, drug therapy, substitution therapy (eg methadone, naltrexone, buprenorphine), psychotherapy and social rehabilitation in special centers. We have both the right drugs and brilliant professionals, including psychologists.
And is it possible to completely cure addiction?
- Yes, but it requires a long time, complex treatment and personal motivation.
How long does treatment take?
- Detoxification takes 1-3 weeks, but full recovery can take months or years.
How does detoxification work?
- Researches, through which an individual treatment plan is drawn up, are of primary importance. Medicines control and alleviate the symptoms of the withdrawal state and remove toxins from the body, correcting complications and consequences as much as possible.
Is it possible to treat without the patient's consent?
- No, forced treatment is possible only by a court decision.
How effective is the encryption?
- Coding is effective for motivated people as part of a complex treatment program with medication.
How to prevent relapse?
- Maintain contact with a doctor and a psychologist, avoid trigger factors that stimulate addiction, it is desirable to change the environment, develop new interests.
What if the person starts using again?
- Don't blame, support, help refer to a specialist and repeat the treatment.
What is the role of the family in addiction prevention?
- The family can support, motivate and provide the elderly with a favorable environment for successful treatment.
How to deal with an addicted person?
- Don't blame, stay connected, offer help, avoid financially supporting harmful habits.
Is it possible to convince a person to see a narcologist?
- Yes, through conversation, emphasizing caring and the possibility of positive change.
What are the effects of addiction on the human body?
- Psychoactive substances can damage almost all organ systems, causing severe consequences and complications, both temporary and chronic, which can lead to irreversible consequences. Also important are the mental and behavioral problems that accompany the above somatic problems and are mandatory symptoms during the formation of addiction.
Is it possible to restore health?
- Partial or complete recovery of somatic and mental health is definitely possible as a result of stopping use and receiving professional help.
