Sometimes, people develop a set of conditioned responses due to using an illicit substance, drinking alcohol, or engaging in addictive or harmful behaviour. These conditioned responses can compel the individual to keep using a substance or pick up using it again despite its harmful effects. These conditioned responses are triggered by various factors, which are unique to the individual. When a teen is going through emotional and hormonal changes already, dealing with psychological dependence is even more challenging.
If your teen is struggling with psychological dependence, our Venture Academy team is standing by to help. Our substance abuse treatment programs for teens and young adults provide comprehensive and compassionate care for young people who need the guidance and support of professionals. Find out more from our team today by filling out our online form or calling Venture Academy at 866.762.2211.
What Is Psychological Dependence?
Many people use the terms psychological dependence and physical dependence interchangeably when discussing addiction. However, that would be a mistake. There are crucial differences between these two dependencies. Psychological dependence is one piece of the complicated puzzle. Addiction is considered a brain disease by the medical establishment that the individual will have to manage to stay healthy for the rest of their life. Differentiating between psychological dependence and physical dependence can be a key to keeping an unhealthy habit from taking over. Substance and behavioural dependencies can be physical or psychological. When psychological and physical dependencies combine and flourish, it often leads to deeper issues in adulthood.
Sometimes an individual only has to control their psychological need to use a substance because a physical dependency has not yet developed. In these cases, therapy is crucial to success in recovery. When an individual hasn’t progressed to the physical dependency, there is hope to keep it from moving to that stage. Psychological dependence involves emotional–motivational withdrawal symptoms, which occur when a person has experienced repeated exposure to a stimulus that altered their neuron activity and reward pathway.
Does Your Teen Have a Psychological Dependence on Drugs or Alcohol?
It’s essential to know the signs of psychological drug and alcohol dependence to know how best to help your teen with the problems they may be facing. Psychological dependence isn’t something a teen can fix on their own, without outside professional intervention, including therapy to redirect the brain patterns conditioned to respond to the stimulus of drugs, alcohol, or a lack thereof. When their brain has become accustomed to the positive psychological responses when engaging in drug use, taking away the drug will elicit an opposite negative psychological response which is part of the psychological withdrawal.
Intensive therapy is crucial, including physical activities and alternative positive stimulation that distract substances. While physical dependence is when the body system becomes dependent on the drug to function correctly without a physical illness, psychological dependence is based solely on the brain receptors and reward pathways.
Symptoms of psychological dependence include:
- Drastic personality changes
- Loss of interest in things that previously brought joy
- Intense cravings
- Depression and anxiety
- Sudden mood swings
- Neglecting friends and family
- Anger and irritability
- Neglecting responsibilities
Many of these symptoms are occasional aspects of the roller coaster of growing up or various mental health disorders. Due to different possible explanations behind their behaviour, it is crucial that young people receive a proper evaluation and diagnosis.
Get Help for Psychological Dependence at Venture Academy
If you suspect your teen is struggling with psychological dependence, you must reach out to get them the help they need. By getting their psychological dependence under control early on, you can give them the foundation they need for fulfilling, healthy lives, both physically and emotionally. Call Venture Academy today at 866.762.2211 to speak with a friendly, compassionate staff member or fill out our online contact form.
