One thing that everyone wants to know is how quickly does addiction set in? One of the rumors is that today, powerful drugs are available that are addictive in just one dose. Is this truth or myth? At what point does something that provides short-term relief become a problematic drug addiction?
How Quickly Does Addiction Set In For Opioids?
Opioids are powerful substances that trigger the release of endorphins in the brain. These substances produce good feelings and create a state of euphoria. This is what some call a “high.” Over time, the body does not release as many endorphins in response to opioids. Then the person must increase the dose to get the same level of high.
Opioids help to reduce pain. One factor that increases the risk of addiction is using the medication in a manner other than prescribed. For instance, crushing the pill for injection or snorting it can increase the risk of addiction and is also dangerous. The length of time prescribed and dosage can also affect how long it takes to become addicted.
Today, powerful street drugs are available, such as Fentanyl, laced with other substances. It is possible for addiction to set in to these impure drugs in just one dose. If you already have addictions to alcohol or other substances, it increases the risk of this happening. Risk factors, such as depression and anxiety, can also affect how long it takes to become addicted.
The best time to seek opioid addiction treatment is as soon as it begins. The longer you wait, the worse it becomes and the more difficult it is to treat. If you have asked yourself if you might have an addiction, it is time to talk to a professional for an evaluation.
How Long Does It Take For Alcohol Addiction to Set In?
For some people, only a few days on medically prescribed opioids can lead to the beginnings of an addiction. For alcohol, it often takes longer because the brain has to form neural pathways to “train” the habit. Some people have risk factors that decrease the length of time that it takes for the brain to become addicted to any substance. A history of mental health issues, stressful circumstances, and a prior history of substance abuse predispose a person to become addicted to substances.
Women tend to have a higher incidence of opioid addiction than men due to certain biological tendencies. They typically become addicted more quickly than men. People who tend to be thrill-seekers or risk-takers are also at a higher risk for addiction. Those who are having difficulties in other areas of their life are also at higher risk. These are a few of the factors that make a person at risk for developing an addiction to alcohol and other substances. These risk factors might also decrease the time that it takes for a person to become addicted.
Alcohol addiction can be difficult to recognize because a certain amount of drinking is socially accepted and even encouraged on special occasions. Also, it often takes longer to go from a single drink to a drinking habit. It happens slowly, so it might not become obvious until life begins to spiral out of control. The best way to find out if you or a loved one might have a drinking problem is to call and talk to a specialist at Sunflower Wellness alcohol addiction treatment program.
How Will It Take For You To Form an Addiction?
How quickly addiction sets in for you depends on your unique set of risk factors. The best way to answer this question is for you to come in and talk to our staff at Sunflower Wellness to assess the risk factors that apply to you. If you are asking this question, it might be because you have a concern. If that is the case, many of your questions are easily answered by calling our addiction treatment center at 855.730.8825.
