Addiction refers to a complex brain disease that causes an addict to compulsively engage in a behavior or substance use despite the negative consequences that it may cause. The behavior or substance can be anything from drugs, alcohol, gambling, food, sex, or shopping. Addicts suffer from a chronic condition that can occur due to genetic, environmental, or psychological factors and often requires long-term treatment and ongoing support to manage and overcome. If you or your loved ones are ready to tackle this serious issue and enroll in addiction treatment, contact We Level Up Treatment Centers today.

We Level Up Treatment Centers provide drug and alcohol rehab, starting with detox, followed by mental health therapies and individual and group support. With the help and guidance from the experienced professionals at our rehabilitation center, as well as the right medications if necessary/allowed, you can combat this disease with a good chance of winning. Get in touch and find out how we can assist you or your loved ones.

Prevalence and Types of Addiction

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) report on Drug Use and Health Data from 2022, over 70 million people aged 12 or older used illicit substances in the past year. Marijuana was the most used drug, with nearly 62 million people using it in the past year. In 2022, 48.7 million people aged 12 or older struggled with substance use disorder (SUD), including 29.5 million who had alcohol abuse disorder (AUD), 27.2 million who had drug use disorder (DUD), and 8 million who had co-occurring AUD and DUD.

Addiction treatment typically involves a combination of therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, group therapy, and medication-assisted treatment when appropriate. For anyone addicted, it is critical to seek help from a qualified healthcare provider if you or a loved one is an addict.

Addiction is characterized by a dependence on a substance or behavior and a loss of control over the use of that substance or behavior. It can lead to negative consequences in many areas of a person’s life, including physical health, mental health, social relationships, and work or school performance. Types of addiction include substance addictions (such as alcohol, drugs, and nicotine) and behavioral addictions (such as gambling, internet use, shopping, and eating disorders).

Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a relapsing disease. Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. Fortunately, there are many drug addiction treatment options when you enter a We Level Up drug addiction treatment center.

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic condition characterized by compulsive and uncontrollable use of alcohol despite the negative consequences on a person’s health, relationships, and overall life. A person with alcohol addiction may experience a strong desire to drink, have difficulty controlling how much alcohol they consume, and experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking.

Alcohol addiction can develop due to various factors, including genetic, environmental, and personal factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Heavy, long-term alcohol use can change the brain’s chemistry, leading to excessive and uncontrolled drinking.

Alcohol addiction symptoms may include:

• Drinking more than intended or drinking for longer periods than originally intended.
• Trying to quit drinking but not being able to do so.
• Spending a lot of time drinking or recovering from its effects.
• Continuing to drink despite the negative consequences, such as relationship problems or loss of job.
• Developing a high tolerance and needing to consume more and more alcohol to achieve the desired effects.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, sweating, and irritability when you try to stop drinking.

Behavioral Addiction

Behavioral addiction is related to an action rather than a substance. People engage in certain actions in order to experience a high. Some of the typical behavioral addictions are related to:

It is similar to substance addiction, with the exception of physical signs characteristic of substance abuse disorders. However, behavioral addicts will still have certain symptoms and undergo the consequences of addiction. 

Behavioral addiction is sometimes very difficult to diagnose since many behaviors that induce addiction are normal activities that the majority of people enjoy (like eating food or having sex). To make a diagnosis of behavioral addiction, some functional impairments need to be manifested in professional or social situations. For instance, major financial losses may occur for those addicted to gambling, professional sit-backs for those addicted to video games, and relationship issues for those addicted to sex. In the search of that high coming from engaging in the activity, people may continue to engage in it despite negative consequences. 

In some cases, people can experience withdrawal symptoms, like depression or irritability, if they try to stop the activity. As with any substance abuse, addiction treatment is necessary to address the effects it has on a person´s life. Since there is no physical dependency, usual approach to treating behavioral addiction would include psychotherapy. 

Understanding the Path to Addiction

Suffering from addiction can happen to people from all walks of life and all age groups. These illnesses are common, recurrent, and often severe but treatable, and many recover. Becoming an addict can occur for a variety of reasons. Addicts suffer from a complex brain disease influenced by factors that increase the susceptibility to addiction:

• Genetic factors – Genetic factors can predispose individuals to addiction, making them more susceptible due to inherited traits from their family history.
• Environmental factors – Environmental factors, such as exposure to drug use, stress, trauma, and peer pressure, can significantly influence the likelihood of developing an addiction.
• Psychological factors – Psychological factors, including mental health disorders like depression and anxiety, can increase vulnerability to addiction as individuals may use substances to self-medicate or cope with emotional pain.

Addictive substance abuse disorders are chronic and complex. The path to SUD begins with the voluntary act of taking them. Over time, a person’s ability to choose not to do so becomes compromised as prolonged use of substances alters brain chemistry and disrupts normal functioning. Seeking and taking drugs or alcohol becomes compulsive. Substance dependence affects parts of the brain involved in reward and motivation, learning and memory, and behavioral control. Thus, addiction is a disease that affects both the brain and behavior.

Behavioral addiction follows the same pattern. In this case, engaging in an activity triggers brain centers related to the reward system. For instance, enjoying a good meal triggers a sensation of happiness, which is seen as a reward for the activity. If the same reward does not happen with another behavior, eating becomes addictive, and a person starts eating more to get the same sensation, opening up the path to addiction development.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Recognizing that someone is struggling with addictive substances or activities is not always easy. With behavioral addiction, it´s even more complicated, as some behaviors (e.g., exercising) would be considered not only socially acceptable but desirable as well. However, there are signs or symptoms of disorders to pay attention to. 

Symptoms of substance use disorder are grouped into four categories:

• Impaired control: a craving or strong urge to use the substance; desire or failed attempts to cut down or control substance use.
• Social problems: substance use causes failure to complete major tasks at work, school, or home; social, work, or leisure activities are given up or cut back because of substance use.
• Risky use: substance is used in dangerous settings; continued use despite known problems.
• Drug effects: tolerance (need for more significant amounts to get the same product); withdrawal symptoms (different for each substance).

As for the behavioral addiction, signs to pay attention to are:

• Spending the majority of time engaged in addictive activity, thinking of it, or recovering from its effects.
• Using the activity as a coping mechanism, a way to deal with everyday problems.
• Continuing despite harm (e.g., physical from excessive exercising, financial from excessive shopping).
• Experiencing difficulties or negative emotions when trying to stop.
• Minimizing or hiding the problem from others.
• Neglecting work, school, or social relationships to engage in activity more frequently. 

When substance abuse or activity engagement reaches levels of impairing one´s life, it´s a sign to seek professional help diagnosing and treating the issue. By taking medical and behavioral history, comparing one´s symptoms with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), and relying on their vast knowledge of the topic, professionals are able to diagnose disorders accurately. Based on the diagnosis and the circumstances and needs of each person, they can tailor adequate treatments.

Addiction Treatment Options

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) plays a crucial role in treating substance use disorders, especially opioid and alcohol addiction, by combining medications with counseling and behavioral therapies. MAT helps to normalize brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids, relieve physiological cravings, and stabilize body functions without the negative effects of the abused drug. This integrated approach reduces withdrawal symptoms and the risk of relapse and supports long-term recovery by addressing the complex needs of individuals struggling with addiction.

Behavioral Treatments 

Behavioral treatment focuses on human behavior and alters unwanted or maladaptive behavioral patterns. Typically, this type of treatment is done for those with behavioral problems or mental health situations that involve unwanted behavior. Examples include substance abuse and behavioral addictions, anxiety, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

Behavioral approaches help engage people in drug abuse treatment, provide incentives to remain abstinent, modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug abuse, and increase their life skills to handle stressful circumstances and environmental cues that may trigger intense cravings for drugs and prompt another cycle of compulsive abuse. Below are several behavioral therapies that have shown effectiveness in addressing substance abuse (effectiveness with particular drugs of abuse is denoted in parentheses).

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment 

Staying within a rehabilitation center during drug and alcohol rehab – inpatient rehab – is usually the most effective way to address SUD. However, individual circumstances might not always allow it (e.g., due to work or school obligations). Also, outpatient programs can be a more adequate solution for behavioral addiction issues. 

Holistic Therapy

The holistic approach emerged fairly recently as a way to address the body, the mind, and the spirit simultaneously. It is often seen as an alternative approach but has a long history in Eastern cultures. Some of the types of holistic treatment are:

Usually, it is not a stand-alone treatment but rather a complimentary treatment to detoxification and behavioral therapy methods.

Choosing the Right Addiction Treatment Program

Nowadays, there are many alcohol rehab centers and drug rehab centers offering services for those struggling with SUD. It might be difficult to choose the right one, but here are a few tips on how to approach this task. 

1. Search online for addiction counselors or therapists in your area. You can use search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo to search for addiction counselors in your city or state.
2. Reach out to a local addiction treatment facility or clinic, such as We Level Up Treatment Centers. They may have counselors or therapists on staff who can provide one-on-one counseling.
3. Consult with a primary care physician or mental health professional. They can refer you to a qualified addiction counselor.
4. Contact your health insurance company to find out if they cover addiction counseling and for a list of in-network providers.
5. Seek recommendations from friends or family members who have gone through addiction treatment.

Make sure to find licensed and accredited addiction center teams if you seek addiction counseling. Think of your needs and circumstances and if you are ready to commit. If you are struggling with mental health or suspect co-occurring mental health issues, be sure to look for a rehabilitation center that offers dual diagnosis assessment and treatment. Look for places that can offer you a well-crafted program designed for the specificities of your case. 

Finding the right addiction counselor at a licensed drug and alcohol treatment center is crucial to overcoming substance abuse. If you decide to put your trust in We Level Up Network, you will get a top addiction counselor team with experience and expertise in treating substance abuse and co-occurring mental health conditions. 

Our Rehabilitation Center Network

We Level Up is a mental health and addiction treatment center network that provides world-class care with round-the-clock medical professionals available to help you cope. We work as an integrated team, providing all mentioned mental health services and behavioral counseling in drug abuse and other aspects of treatment. 

Our We Level Up network stretches across the US, and our rehab centers are present on both coasts:

• We Level Up Lake Worth, Florida – A center in a year-round sunny state, We Level Up Lake Worth FL provides traditional and alternative treatment options. It addresses addiction with medical detox, evidence-based therapies, and the 12-step program. It is the only center now to offer outpatient services. 
• We Level Up California – Situated in the sunny city of Lake Elsinore, We Level Up CA offers a number of mental health services in addition to addiction rehab. It prides itself on family, alumni, and veterans programs and its capacity to offer intervention services. 
• We Level Up Lavrencewille, New Jersey — Located in Lawrenceville but serving many counties and states, We Level Up Lavrencewille, NJ, specializes in alcohol and drug rehab, including dual-diagnosis treatment. It offers different levels of care, including a partial hospitalization program. In addition to traditional therapy programs, it provides alternative programs, ensuring a holistic approach. 

Although primarily serving their local communities, each center in the We Level Up network is open to helping anyone willing to visit their locations, no matter the state you are coming from. Additionally, as part of our admission process, we can organize your transportation to our facilities if needed. We aim to assist you in any way possible.

How to Get Started

The We Level Up admission process is simple yet efficient. Between calling and joining us in our facilities, you can expect only a few actions. 

• Pre-admission assessment. This is a 15-minute long data collection on your case: your medical and addiction history. This data is crucial for establishing a diagnosis and recommendation for adequate programs
• Insurance check. If you weren´t able to check whether your insurance covers our treatments, we can do it together. We accept most insurances, and among our trusted partners are Aetna rehab coverage and Blue Cross Blue Shield rehab coverage.
• Payment options exploration. We can explore payment options together if you wish to finance your stay with us independently. 
• Admission Coordination. You will be assigned a liaison to coordinate your treatment program with the facility and treatment staff. 
• Transportation and arrival. Finally, your arrival will be arranged and, if you need it, we can also organize your transportation to us. 

We are ensuring your joining us is as smooth as possible to help you take this first step to recovery. We can always discuss individual circumstances. Keep in mind that your call is private and confidential, and there is never any obligation.

Reach Out When in Need of Rehabilitation Center Support

It is not easy to make this first step by calling a rehabilitation center. We understand it takes courage to do it, and we aim to facilitate this process for you. This is why we introduced a mental health hotline you can reach out to for information and advice 24/7. You can also contact us via email: info@welevelup.com. 

Make this your opportunity to reclaim your life. Call We Level Up Treatment Centers today to speak with one of our treatment specialists. Our counselors know what you are going through and will answer any of your questions.

FAQ About Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Ready to Begin Treatment? Watch our Drug and Alcohol Rehab Welcome Video Message from Ryan Zofay