Do you suspect you have an addiction and want help?
Dr. Madhuri Gadiyaram of NJ Comprehensive Health Care in Roselle Park, NJ, is board-certified in Addiction Medicine, Obesity, and Internal Medicine and has been helping individuals beat their addictions for over twenty years. Working with Dr. Gadiyaram will help you get the best integrated healthcare.
What are the Different Addictions?
Addiction is a long-term issue that involves a chronic condition in the brain and reward-seeking behavior.
It has been proven to change your way of thinking and is now classified as a disease and can be very detrimental to your mental health and relationships involving close friends and family. There are two types of addictions: substance and non-substance. Substance abuse involves all the following:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Smoking
- Nicotine
- Inhalants - paint thinners, gas, or any pressurized container such as air spray for the nitrates
- Stimulants such as cocaine or hypnotics like sleeping pills
The use of all these substances can trigger the pleasure center of the brain, causing you to keep trying the substance to get additional feelings of pleasure until you need to continue using it for a sense of normalcy.
The same reward center of the brain triggering disease characterizes non-substance addictions, also known as behavioral disorders. According to Comprehensive Health Care in Roselle Park, NJ, examples of non-substances are:
- Eating
- Gambling - the only current non-substance addiction recognized by the DSM-5
- Excessive exercise
- Sexual activity
- Video Gaming
- Excessive internet use
Addictions Signs and Symptoms
There are signs and symptoms that you can look for:
- Inability to control impulses, leading to guilt and helplessness.
- Withdrawal from people you usually socialize with.
- Increased tolerance with a more intense focus on the addiction.
- Avoidance of responsibilities.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Addictions
As your primary care doctor, we will perform a complete physical examination, including a comprehensive health history, blood and urine tests if necessary, and possible professional mental health referral for in-depth evaluation.
Once you have a diagnosis, there is a variety of ways to treat addictions.
- Psychotherapy: inpatient with medical care or outpatient care
- Medical management: a variety of medications help with abuse and withdrawal symptoms
- Support groups: meeting with peers who have experienced the same situation
- Hospitalization: provides medical support and group therapy until you are strong enough for a different program
Call Us Today!
If you think you need help with an addiction, call Dr. Gadiyaram at
908-262-2197 at Comprehensive Health Care in Roselle Park, NJ.
