How long are panic attacks?

Panic attacks usually only last for a short period of time, usually reaching their peak and passing within 10 minutes. A panic attack can last anywhere from just a few minutes to being as long as 30 minutes.

How long does anxiety last?

Anxiety is a natural response to things that may stress or worry you, but feeling anxiety when there isn’t any clear reason to is a sign of having an anxiety disorder. Generally, if you feel anxious long enough that it begins to interfere with your daily life, you may wish to speak to somebody about the anxiety that you feel.

What is the difference between fear and anxiety?

The fear reaction is an intense physical response to an immediate danger. On the other hand, anxiety is worry or unease about something that may happen.

What causes delusions and hallucinations?

Delusions and hallucinations can be caused by numerous conditions. Often, these breaks with reality are caused by mental illness, physical ailments, or substance abuse.

What can stop hallucinations?

Hallucinations are created in the brain. Usually, they are from a mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia) or a physical condition (e.g., epilepsy). However, they can also occur from substance abuse. To stop hallucinations, the source will need to be determined. From there, the appropriate treatment plan can be outlined. Usually, this includes medication, psychotherapy, and/or a drug detox.

What is the difference between hallucinations and delusions?

The main difference between hallucinations and delusions is that hallucinations revolve around senses and delusions center on beliefs. Therefore, a hallucination includes seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, or feeling something that isn’t there. On the other hand, delusions are false beliefs despite evidence to the contrary.

What is an addictive personality?

Typically, somebody is characterized as having an addictive personality when they easily obsess or fixate on certain things. Other addictive personality traits include being impulsive, being open to trying anything new regardless of the consequences, and needing to be around other people. But keep in mind that experts recognize having these personality traits doesn’t guarantee that you will have an addiction, just as not having these characteristics doesn’t mean that you are safe from substance use.

How do you know if you have an addictive personality?

Do you find yourself becoming fixated on one particular hobby, activity, or feeling? Do you find yourself chasing “highs” or exhilarating experiences without being able to stop? Are you willing to try anything despite the consequences, especially in social situations? If so, you might have an addictive personality.

How do you prevent addiction?

The best way to prevent addiction is to keep track of any risk factors that could increase your chances of developing a substance use disorder. For example, if you have a family history of addiction, surround yourself with others who frequently use drugs or alcohol, and/or you have untreated mental health disorders, you are at a much higher risk of struggling with addiction. Getting professional mental health help and advice before substance use takes control is the best way to prevent addiction and maintain recovery.

What does triggered mean?

In the context of mental health, the term “trigger” refers to a situation or experience that acts as a catalyst for an emotional, physical, or behavioral response. When somebody is triggered by something or someone, they might have a severe reaction that leads to an increase in mental discomfort, such as being upset, angry, or another unpleasant emotion.

What is an emotional trigger?

An emotional trigger is something that causes distress. Emotional reactions to triggers can look like crying, unexplained anger, increased anxiety, feelings of panic, physical symptoms, and more.

What triggers people’s emotions?

Common triggers that create an emotional response could be anything from hearing a certain song, being in an unsafe environment, or remembering back to a traumatic event. Everybody has their own emotional triggers, which is why it’s important to receive guidance from mental health professionals—with the right support, you will be able to begin to identify your emotional triggers and learn how to regulate your response.

Becoming sober starts with finding the right treatment center for your specific needs. Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital is here to help you toward the path of recovery and give you the resources you need to stay sober after you leave your treatment program.

What’s the point of being sober?

Being sober helps you to find your true self once again. Moreover, being sober can help you rebuild relationships, thrive in your career, and find happiness that is not clouded by addictive substances.

Do I need to get sober?

If you find that you are exhibiting signs of substance abuse with alcohol and/or drugs, you might need to get sober. In addition to the challenging emotional and social side effects of addiction, addiction can also threaten your physical wellbeing. Getting sober is the best way that you can protect yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally.

What insurance does Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital take?

We accept the following insurances: Medicaid, OPTUM, Medicare, Multiplan, Megellan Health, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, Cigna, ChampVA, United Behavioral Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Amerigroup RealSolutions, AmeriaHealth Caritas Louisiana, Aetna. Please check with your insurance provider for all terms and conditions related to coverage at Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital.

What can I bring to Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital (BBH)?

* 4-5 Changes of casual clothing and undergarments. No drawstrings. We have laundry supplies available to launder items. * BBH is not responsible for lost or damaged items. * Shoes with no laces (comfortable slip-ons are preferable), shower shoes. Shoes should be weather appropriate. Shoe laces are not permitted on the unit unless there is a doctor's order. * Jacket or coat * “New, unopened” toiletries, hygiene products. No mirrors or glass bottles. * Tobacco products must be unopened and are kept at nurses station. Lighters and matches are prohibited. There are designated times and areas for smoking. * Disposable razors will be locked up and used with supervision. * ID and insurance cards. * Small amount of cash (no more than $50-$60) for tobacco products or toiletries. We do not use debit cards or cash checks. * No caffeine or sugar allowed. * We will keep cell phones in a safe area, not allowed on the unit.

The Stages of Addiction and How to Break the Cycle - Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital

There is a popular misconception that there is a thin line between “casual substance use” and “alcohol or drug addiction.” However, the truth is that there are stages of addiction, and progressing through them is how addiction develops. The good news is that if you can identify that you’re in an early stage of substance abuse, you can break the cycle before full-blown addiction occurs.

Moreover, recognizing this cycle can also be a useful relapse prevention tool. By identifying the phases of addiction, it becomes possible to recognize the pattern and work toward a lifestyle that exists beyond the stages of addiction.

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The 5 Stages of Addiction

Annually, there are more than 21 million Americans who struggle with substance use disorders, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). But for all of those people, their addiction started simply enough, by experimenting with drugs and alcohol. To examine the phases of addiction, let’s start with the first stage of addiction: experimentation.

1. Experimenting with Drugs and Alcohol

It’s not uncommon for children and teens to experiment with drugs or alcohol. And for most people, the relationship with drugs or alcohol does not advance much further than this. But for others, this simple start can transition into a clinical substance use disorder.

Much of this depends on the age of the individual and what they’re taking. For example, while drinking alcohol at 16 has been proven to be dangerous, having a drink or two at a friend’s house is a relatively normal experience that, on its own, may not lead to a substance abuse issue. However, a 12-year-old experimenting with opioids would present a much higher risk of developing drug dependence.

Moreover, the motivations to use drugs and alcohol can determine the overall danger during this stage of addiction. For example, wanting to have fun with friends is a typical situation where people try drugs and alcohol. But more dangerous can be when someone uses drugs or alcohol to cope with stress or a mental health issue. This can increase the desire to keep using drugs or alcohol, which can lead to the next phase of addiction.

2. Frequent Substance Use

At this stage of addiction, the individual has progressed past experimenting with drugs or alcohol. They now use them regularly, although not enough to count as a substance use disorder.

For many adults, they will stay at this stage for most of their lives without progressing to a true addiction. While there are health dangers associated with even moderate drinking, this stage of addiction is much less dangerous than the ones that follow.

An individual can move on to the next step of addiction when alcohol or drugs become increasingly important in their life. They may spend a lot of time using or thinking about using, and they may start to prioritize using their substance of choice over other, more important activities.

3. Substance Abuse

For an individual at this stage of addiction, drinking and drug use have moved past “recreational.” For most people, they notice that their relationships start to weaken, they experience trouble at work, and/or they run into trouble with the law. A person does not have to drink or use drugs every day to reach this stage of addiction, but using the substance must be a pillar in their life that comes before other obligations like work or family.

Individuals who started to drink or use drugs to treat mental illness symptoms can face even more difficulty in this stage. They may start to notice that drinking or using no longer treats their symptoms the way it did before, and they likely need increasing amounts of the substance. This can lead to increasingly risky behaviors, like using the substance before driving or using it at work.

4. Physical and Mental Dependence

By now, drinking or using drugs is no longer optional; the individual must do so or risk feeling sick from withdrawals. Because this stage of addiction also worsens the overall quality of life due to alcohol or drug dependency, mental health often worsens at this stage as well. It can become harder to hold a steady job, which can create problems in all facets of life.

At this stage of addiction, quitting by oneself can feel impossible. For many people, attempts to quit are followed by intense mental and physical cravings that can feel overwhelming. Also, by this stage of addiction, individuals have built a life that is centered around addiction, so many of their friends may also be addicted and thus unable to help with starting recovery.

5. Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)

At this final stage of addiction, an individual cannot go a day without drinking or using their substance of choice. People may lose jobs or relationships and could even face homelessness in some situations. The longer an individual lives with a substance use disorder, the more inescapable addiction can feel.

But no matter how long a person has been addicted to a substance, there is always help available. There are Louisiana rehabs that work with individuals to help them regain control over their lives, regardless of what stage of addiction they’re in.

How to Break the Cycle of Addiction

Whether you’re in the early stages of addiction, you’ve found yourself with a substance use disorder, or if you’ve faced a relapse, Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital can help. With a dual diagnosis program that addresses both addiction and the mental health issues that cause it, we effectively prepare individuals for long-term recovery instead of only treating the symptoms of a behavioral health issue.

Of course, some situations require specialized addiction treatment before attending a dual diagnosis program. For situations like this, we provide alcohol and drug detox to help individuals break their physical dependence before addressing mental dependence through inpatient treatment.

Would you like to learn more about how we can help break the cycle of addiction? Call our friendly admissions specialists at Call Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital: (225) 567-8698 or ask your questions online. No matter what stage of addiction you’re in, we can help you start on the road to lifelong recovery.

The Stages of Addiction and How to Break the Cycle