Knoxville Drug Addiction Treatment Center

Providing a Whole-Persona Approach to Your Recovery

Drug misuse, abuse, and addiction can quickly consume one’s life. Drug addiction is a complex disease, affecting the brain and often leading to a wide range of physical, emotional, financial, and even criminal consequences. For those battling addiction, professional help is critical to a successful recovery.

Continue reading to learn more about our Knoxville drug addiction treatment facility and how we can help you on the path to recovery. Call us at (865) 205-2770 to speak to a member of our team.

About Our Knoxville Drug Rehab Programs

Recovery is possible, and we are here to help you effectively achieve peace, wellness, and long-term sobriety. The process is not an easy one, but with our team by your side, you will have the support, skills, and tools you need to succeed.

We offer a whole-person approach to drug addiction treatment that focuses on strengthening mental health and wellness, engaging familial support, and empowering individuals to achieve greater physical and emotional well-being, all of which are critical to a successful recovery.

On This Page:

• Understanding Drug Addiction
• How Addiction Starts
• The Signs of Drug Addiction
• Drug Addictions We Treat
• Our Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
• Drug Addiction Treatment FAQ
• Contact Tennessee Wellness Center

Understanding Drug Addiction

Unfortunately, drug addiction is widely misunderstood. Many people do not realize that it is a disease like any other and that those struggling with addiction cannot simply choose to stop misusing or abusing harmful substances.

Drug addiction is characterized by a compulsive desire to continue using drugs, despite negative consequences affecting everything from one’s physical health to their mental well-being to their relationships with others. Addiction is not about morality or willpower; rather, it is a complex disease that affects the way the brain works, making it nearly impossible for individuals to quit without proper professional treatment.

According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 40.3 million people over the age of 12 in the United States had at least one type of substance use disorder in the past year.

How Addiction Starts

Many people do not understand how someone can become addicted to drugs to the point that it begins to control their life. But addiction is a subtle process, and it can imperceptibly take over a person’s life without them realizing what is happening.

Often, addiction begins with tolerance. Tolerance occurs when an individual needs to take higher dosages or use a drug more frequently to achieve the same effects he or she experienced in the beginning. With increased tolerance comes dependency.

Once a person has become dependent on a drug, he or she may begin to experience withdrawal symptoms when he or she is not using or taking the drug. This can lead the individual to go to greater lengths to obtain the substance, engaging in riskier behaviors driven by a compulsive desire to take the drug despite the consequences. At this point, addiction has set in.

What Factors Influence Drug Addiction?

Several factors can contribute to drug dependency and addiction, including:

• Biology: Studies have shown that an individual’s genetic makeup can put them at a higher or lower risk of developing a drug addiction.
• Mental Health: In many cases, mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder can cause a person to self-medicate with drugs and/or alcohol, leading to addiction.
• Environment: A person’s environment can also lead to a higher risk of drug abuse and addiction. Environmental factors may include peer pressure, poverty, sexual abuse, or exposure to drugs.

These and other factors can all play a role in a person’s risk of trying, using, and becoming dependent on or addicted to harmful substances. Often, these elements are beyond the individual’s awareness and/or control.

What Are the Signs of Drug Addiction?

Whether you are concerned about a loved one or believe you may be struggling with drug addiction, there are several warning signs that you can keep an eye out for.

Signs of drug abuse and addiction in a loved one might include:

• Unusual changes in energy levels or speech patterns
• Increased or new secretiveness
• Changes in eating habits/rapid weight gain or loss
• Dilated or constricted pupils
• Apparent paranoia or aggressiveness
• Irritability and lashing out
• Loss of interest in once enjoyed activities
• Changes in friendship groups or relationships
• Social withdrawal and/or isolation
• Lying, stealing, and other unusual behaviors

Symptoms of drug addiction in yourself may include:

• Needing more of a drug/substance to get high or achieve the same effects as before
• Uncontrollable cravings or a strong urge to use drugs
• Changes in sleeping patterns, including excessive fatigue and sleepiness and/or insomnia
• Feeling ill or experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using drugs
• Confusion, disorientation, or a sense of being in a “fog”
• Constantly thinking about obtaining or using drugs
• Engaging in risky behaviors and/or disregarding risks in obtaining or using drugs
• Obsessive thoughts, paranoia, and a strong desire to hide drug use from loved ones
• Feeling irrationally angry or upset with others/severe mood swings

Remember, drug addiction uniquely affects each individual. If you have noticed any of the above signs or similar worrying symptoms in yourself or someone you care about, we invite you to contact our Knoxville drug addiction treatment center to learn more.

Types of Drug Addictions We Treat

At Tennessee Wellness Center, we offer a range of treatments for all types of drug addictions.

Our programs are designed to help those struggling with:

• Opioid addiction: This involves the misuse or dependence on opioids, including prescription painkillers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine, as well as illegal drugs like heroin. Opioids bind to receptors in the brain, reducing pain and creating a sense of euphoria. Long-term use can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
• Heroin addiction: Heroin is an illegal opioid synthesized from morphine. It's highly addictive and rapidly creates tolerance, leading users to seek higher doses. Heroin addiction can result in severe health issues and social consequences.
• Cocaine addiction: Cocaine is a stimulant that produces intense euphoria and increased energy. It's highly addictive, causing psychological and physical dependence. Chronic use can lead to severe health problems, including heart issues and neurological complications.
• Benzodiazepine addiction: Benzodiazepines (such as Xanax, Valium, and Ativan) are prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. They're addictive and can cause tolerance and dependence when used long-term. Abrupt cessation can lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
• Meth addiction: Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a potent stimulant. It leads to increased energy, euphoria, and decreased appetite. Chronic use can cause severe dental problems, skin sores, and neurological damage.
• Fentanyl Addiction: Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, much more potent than morphine or heroin. It's prescribed for severe pain but is also illegally manufactured. Due to its potency, it significantly increases the risk of overdose.
• Inhalant Addiction: Inhalants are substances easily accessible at home or work, like aerosols, solvents, and gases, which are inhaled to produce mind-altering effects. Prolonged use can cause severe damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, and other organs.
• Stimulant Addiction: This encompasses various drugs like amphetamines, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Stimulants increase alertness, attention, and energy, leading to addiction when used regularly.
• Prescription drug misuse and abuse: This involves the misuse or abuse of prescription medications, including opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, and others. People might take these drugs in higher doses or for reasons other than their intended medical use, leading to addiction and various health risks.

Through our whole-person approach to drug addiction treatment, we also address co-occurring behavioral and mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, which often play a key role in our clients’ recoveries. We believe in treating all aspects of your health to ensure a greater likelihood of avoiding triggers that can lead to relapse.

Our Knoxville Drug Addiction Treatment Programs

We provide both an intensive outpatient program (IOP) and a partial hospitalization program (PHP) to address the unique and varied needs of our clients. If necessary, we can recommend a suitable detox center for those in need of 24-hour supervision before beginning one of our treatment programs.

With IOP and PHP, clients continue living at home while visiting our center every day or every week. Each program involves a range of treatments, including various forms of therapy, counseling, and group sessions. These treatments are designed to provide you with the support, tools, and skills you need to succeed in your recovery and achieve lasting sobriety.

Drug Addiction Treatment Frequently Asked Questions

Seeking treatment for substance abuse can be an intimidating experience that will undoubtedly come with many questions. Our team of trusted addiction treatment specialists have provided answers to some of the most common questions about our drug addiction treatment programs.

Take the First Step Toward a Better Future; Call Tennessee Wellness Center Today

Drug addiction can wreak havoc on individuals who are struggling, as well as their families and loved ones. At Tennessee Wellness Center, we understand the importance of a family-oriented approach to recovery. In fact, we see ourselves as not only a treatment center but a family of professional addiction specialists who are all dedicated to guiding you through the healing process.

Contact Tennessee Wellness Center online or give us a call at (865) 205-2770 today to learn more about our Knoxville drug addiction treatment services.