Support Team for Addiction Recovery Treatment [START] Clinic | Springfield

Benzodiazepines are medicines doctors prescribe to help with anxiety, trouble sleeping or seizures. Common medications include Xanax, Valium, Klonopin and Ativan. When taken exactly as a doctor tells you, they can be helpful, but they can also be very addictive. Over time, people may take more than prescribed, use them more often than they should or mix them with alcohol or other drugs, which is dangerous and can harm their life, health, and relationships.

When someone becomes addicted to benzodiazepines, they can experience problems like feeling very tired, confused or shaky, and they might have trouble with memory or thinking clearly. Abrupt withdrawal can cause painful and even dangerous symptoms, so quitting safely usually needs medical supervision. Treatment often includes medical care, therapy and support from professionals who can help a person learn healthier ways to cope without the drug. 

Cannabis addiction happens when someone can’t stop using cannabis even when it’s hurting their life. Cannabis contains a chemical called THC that makes people feel “high,” and over time the brain can start to depend on that feeling. People with this addiction might want to use cannabis more and more, feel upset when they can’t use it or keep using it even when it causes problems with school, work or relationships.

Cannabis addiction can cause physical and emotional issues. Some people have trouble sleeping, feel moody or irritable without it or lose interest in things they used to enjoy. Long-term heavy use can also make it harder to remember things or stay motivated, and stopping cannabis use might lead to withdrawal symptoms like anxiety or appetite changes. Treatment usually focuses on support and therapy to help people change their habits and deal with stress without using cannabis. 

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that makes the brain release dopamine, a chemical that gives strong feelings of pleasure and energy. Because the high from cocaine is short-lived, people often take it again and again to try to feel good for longer, which can quickly lead to intense cravings and dependence. Over time, the brain gets used to the drug and makes it hard to stop using, even if the person wants to quit.

Cocaine addiction can affect both the body and life in many negative ways. It can lead to health problems like elevated heartbeat, high blood pressure, anxiety, trouble sleeping and serious risks to the heart and brain. Using cocaine over a long time can also damage relationships, make it hard to focus in school or work and cause financial and emotional problems. Treatment usually includes support from health professionals, therapy and help with coping skills to manage cravings and work toward recovery.

Gambling addiction is when a person feels unable to stop gambling even when it causes serious problems. Gambling affects the brain in a way that is similar to drugs or alcohol, creating a strong urge to keep going. Someone with a gambling addiction may think about gambling all the time, spend more money than they planned, lie to family or friends or gamble to try to win back losses. Over time, this behavior can lead to financial trouble, stress and problems at work or at home.

There is no single cause of gambling addiction. It can be influenced by brain chemistry, family history, stress, mental health conditions or easy access to gambling. If it is not treated, gambling addiction can grow worse and lead to anxiety, depression and strained or broken relationships. Treatment options such as counseling, support groups and treatment for mental health conditions can help people understand their behavior, learn healthier ways to cope and regain control of their lives.

Kratom is a plant that some people use as an herbal supplement to help with things like pain, tiredness or even opioid withdrawal. Its effects are similar to opioid drugs like prescription painkillers. Over time, the brain and body can start to rely on kratom, which can lead to dependence and addiction. Because kratom acts on the same brain receptors as opioids, people can feel strong cravings, and they may notice that they need more of it to get the same effect.

When someone becomes addicted to kratom, they can have withdrawal symptoms like aches, mood swings, nausea or trouble sleeping if they try to stop using it. Getting professional help such as counseling, medical support and structured treatment programs can make it easier to stop using kratom, learn healthier habits and stay safe during the recovery process.

Methamphetamine changes how the brain handles dopamine, a chemical that helps control feelings of pleasure and reward, which can make the brain depend on the drug and cause powerful cravings. People who are addicted may use more and more to try to feel good, give up activities they once cared about and take big risks to get the drug. Long-term use can also lead to serious problems like extreme weight loss, trouble sleeping, heart and memory problems, skin issues and changes in thinking or behavior.

Meth addiction doesn’t just affect the body, it can also affect a person’s emotions, relationships and daily life, too. When someone tries to stop using meth, they often feel very tired, depressed, anxious or have strong urges to use again, which makes it hard to quit. Getting professional help through counseling, therapy and support from trained health workers gives people tools to cope with cravings and make a plan for recovery. 

Opioid addiction happens when a person becomes dependent on drugs that were designed to treat pain. These drugs can include prescription painkillers like oxycodone or illegal ones like heroin. Opioids work by changing how the brain feels pain and pleasure, and over time the brain can begin to rely on the drug to feel “normal,” making it very hard to stop using them. People with this addiction may feel strong cravings, keep taking more even when it hurts their life or have trouble stopping even when they want to.

There are many reasons someone can become addicted, including how opioids affect the brain’s reward system and how fast tolerance builds up, which means needing more of the drug to get the same effect.  If someone continues to use and abuse opioids, the body can also become physically dependent, leading to painful withdrawal symptoms when the person stops taking the drug. Getting professional help is important and often includes medical care, counseling and support to handle both physical dependence and the emotional habits tied to drug use. 

Stimulant addiction happens when someone keeps using stimulating drugs that make their brain and body feel more awake, energetic or focused. Stimulants include medicines like Adderall and Ritalin, which doctors sometimes prescribe for ADHD, and illegal drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine. These drugs can increase chemicals in the brain that make people feel good and alert, but over time the brain can start to depend on them and people can become addicted.

When someone develops a stimulant addiction, they might feel restless, have trouble sleeping, feel anxious or depressed when they try to stop or neglect their responsibilities because they are focused on getting and using the drug. Long-term misuse can lead to serious health problems like heart issues, mental health changes or even overdose. Recovery often involves professional treatment that includes medical support, counseling and therapy to help people break the habit, manage withdrawal and learn healthier ways to cope.