Have you heard the term “feening” used for anything recently? If you have ever been in the vicinity of the addiction recovery community or even watched a gritty drama on TV, you most likely know this term. What precisely does the word “feening” mean? Is it only a sort of colloquial language, or is there more involved here? Now that we have that out of the way, let’s explore the domain of strong cravings, the yearning for that elusive high, and a research on what it truly means to be a drug addict.
What Does It Mean to be “Feening”?
Particularly in relation to drug addiction, the word “feening” is often used to characterize a strong need or craving. Because of their all-consuming need, which is the relentless urge that drives people to seek drugs even knowing of the possible consequences. Those who suffer with addiction may find that their condition causes a very strong and difficult to control emotion.
The Science That Clarifies People’s Captivation with Food
When we discuss a drug addiction, we are not only referring to a general lack of willpower or a lack of will at all. The interaction of brain chemistry is a multifarious and complicated phenomena.
The following is a synopsis of the activities occurring:
- Dopamine Delight: Drugs often cause an overabundance of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked with a good mood. The brain wants to feel euphoria once more and finds itself in that state repeatedly.
- Rewiring the Brain: The brain will finally adapt to these high dopamine levels, which will cause its natural production to drop and its reward system to change.
- Chasing the High: To those have grown tolerant to a substance require a larger quantity of the substance in order to achieve the same effect, which results in a cycle of chasing after the high that they experienced originally.
The Drawbacks of Emotional Rollercoaster
The fetting experience goes beyond mere physical one. It is also emotionally charged. A person craving drugs may go through the following:
- Anxiety and Restlessness: The lack of the medication might cause more anxiety as well as difficulty to relax or focus.
- Depression: is marked by a lack of dopamine, which might make daily activities seem boring or devoid of pleasure, so fueling a cycle of more use.
- Irritability: Even little irritations can become major annoyances that would make social interaction challenging.
Developing Awareness of the Signs
Providing support requires one to be able to identify when someone shows symptoms of drug craving. These are some warning indicators:
- Obsessive Thoughts: Continually considering the substance even while one is in significant activity or having meaningful talks. First sign of obsessive thoughts is this one.
- Physical Symptoms: Should the drug not be accessible, the person may develop physical symptoms including shaking, sweating, or other withdrawal effects
- Isolation: Is the act of withdrawing from events that were once fun and from contacts with friends, family, and hobbies.
- Risky Behaviors: Is participating in dangerous activities to get the drug.
Regarding recovery, what does it mean for feening for drugs?
One first step toward recovery is realizing faltering. This emphasizes the need of treating addiction holistically—that is, considering its psychological as well as physiological features. Here is one conceivable method of recovering:
- Detox programs: entail a safe, under medical professional supervision withdrawal from a substance.
- Therapy Sessions: To solve the fundamental elements causing addiction, cognitive-behavioral therapy and other treatment approaches are applied.
- Support Networks: Establishing a community of support by means of organizations like NA or AA constitutes one instance of a support network.
- Holistic Approaches: Methodologies with holism: A complete approach would be including mindfulness, physical exercise, and good nutrition to heal the mind as well as the body.
Role That the Brain Plays in Drug Cravings
In addition to being the result of brain activity, cravings are also the result of both physical and psychological dependence. Dopamine is a key component in this process.
According to The Reward Foundation, substance abuse has an effect on the reward center of the brain, which is also informally referred to as the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). It is the responsibility of the reward system to encourage behaviors that lead us toward pleasure and away from pain, as well as any other behavior that requires us to exert effort and energy over time. It does not have its foundation in logic, but rather in what is pleasant in the here and now. The reward system is the reason why skipping work for a day at the beach is more appealing than the responsible choice, or why eating healthily on a consistent basis is more difficult than indulging in unhealthy foods. In addition to this, it is accountable for the behavior that is repeated.
The midbrain is the location where dopamine is stored. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that has an effect on learning, motivation, and pleasure. Whenever there is a sense of anticipation regarding a reward, it is released and then makes its way to the reward center. Following this, the brain will respond with a start or stop response, which will either prompt a person to take action or cause them to refrain from taking action.
Both alcohol and drugs are extremely destructive to the reward system. Initial stages of drug use are characterized by increased levels of dopamine being produced by the reward system. On the other hand, in order to achieve these levels, additional dopamine is required as the brain becomes accustomed to the substance. The concept of “chasing the first high,” which refers to the act of hoping to achieve the same level of euphoria that one experiences when using a drug for the first time, is one that is frequently discussed. In order to accomplish this, a person needs to take in a greater quantity of a drug, which results in the development of additional risk factors.
The fluctuations in dopamine levels are the root cause of a craving. In situations where a person interacts with other people, visits locations, and/or performs activities that they had previously associated with substances like alcohol and drugs, the brain releases dopamine in anticipation of the possibility of receiving a reward. The release of dopamine is the component that is accountable for the phenomenon of craving. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction is recognized as a chronic disease of the brain because it is a learned response, comparable to a reflex, and people can experience cravings years after they have been sober. This is the reason why addiction is considered to be a learned response.
How long do cravings for drugs really last?
Throughout their entire life, a person may continue to struggle with the desire to use drugs. As a result of the fact that cravings can occur at any time, many people find it beneficial to take part in fellowship programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. These programs allow individuals to collaborate with a sponsor (or a spiritual guide) and connect with peers who share similar beliefs and can assist them in managing cravings.
The most intense and frequent cravings occur right after the beginning of abstinence from the substance in question. As the brain adjusts to life without the substance, it makes an effort to fight against the process and instead turns to things that are familiar to it. As a person continues to abstain from harmful substances and cultivates healthy coping mechanisms, the frequency of cravings decreases. On the other hand, it is essential to seek support from outside sources, such as meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, outpatient treatment, therapy, or other options. Recognizing that cravings are a natural and expected part of the recovery process is also very important.
Due to the fact that cravings are highly individual experiences that are best understood on a case-by-case basis, it is difficult to determine how long cravings last in the moment. It has been said that cravings have a duration of approximately ten to fifteen minutes, after which they begin to diminish; however, this duration varies from person to person. In spite of this, cravings are only meant to be temporary.
How to Handle Your Cravings for Drugs
Participating in constructive activities and establishing a support network are the two most effective and risk-free ways to deal with the phenomenon of drug cravings. It is essential to cultivate psychological tools and to have people you can contact in the event that cravings do, in fact, occur. When it comes to successfully managing cravings and recovering in general, support is absolutely essential.
Managing cravings for drugs can be accomplished in a number of ways, including the following:
- The process of identifying and learning to control triggers
- Distracting yourself by doing things like reading a book, playing a video game, or going for a run;
- Leaving a situation that is triggering
- Establishing a support network consisting of family, friends, fellowship, and/or support groups; engaging in therapy; adopting a healthy lifestyle with regard to eating, sleeping, and physical activity;
- Participating in therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Practicing mindfulness through meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and/or spending time in nature
- “Playing the tape forward” is yet another method that is frequently advocated for individuals participating in fellowship programs. This proverb encourages individuals to reflect on their previous actions and to consider the consequences that would result from their decision to consume alcohol or drugs in the long run. When it comes to people who struggle with addiction, their outcomes are never favorable.
FAQ
Q: Can someone overcome feening on their own without professional assistance?
A: Although some people could be able to manage minor cravings on their own, generally speaking, especially for severe addictions, it is advised that they see professional help. By means of tools and techniques, therapists and medical professionals can enable effective management of cravings.
Q: For what length of time is the feening process ongoing?
A: Individual variances, the substance, and the length of time fogging is used determine how long it lasts. While some people may experience strong cravings for weeks, others might find them for months.
Q: Is the term “feening” only connected to the usage of illegal narcotics?
A: No, it is not the case; not only can it occur with legal drugs like alcohol and prescription medications, but also with behaviors like gambling for example.
Q: Exists any medication that might aid in the fecundation process?
Two drugs that might help with cravings and withdrawal symptoms are methadone—specifically for opioid addiction—and naltrexone—specifically for alcohol dependency.
Final Remarks
The term “feening for drugs” is more than just a colloquial phrase; many people who suffer with addiction go through a deep experience. If we have a better knowledge of what it means to really feel, we can help those on their road to recovery and create a compassionate and healing surroundings. One must solve the fundamental reasons of the weakness if one is to have a prolonged recovery. Medical treatments, support groups, or therapy can all help one achieve this. Remember always that it is never too late to ask help and start over.
MD Mitchell Grant Cohen
Dr. Mitchell G. Cohen is a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist with over 34 years of experience in patient-centered healthcare. A graduate of Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Dr. Cohen completed his internship at the University Health Center of Pittsburgh, where he gained invaluable hands-on experience. He is also a certified addiction specialist, holding membership with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).
Currently based in Nashua, NH, Dr. Cohen is affiliated with Saint Joseph Hospital, where he provides comprehensive care focusing on both internal medicine and addiction treatment. His expertise includes prevention, diagnosis, and management of adult diseases, as well as specialized care for individuals facing substance use disorders.
Dr. Cohen is committed to fostering open communication, ensuring his patients are fully informed and empowered to make confident decisions about their health and treatment options.
