Addiction looks different in every person, and it can come in many different types and with many different effects. It’s easy to imagine heroin and cocaine when you picture drug addiction, but you’d only be thinking of a fraction of the various forms of substance abuse. Different roads can lead to the same place; sometimes, there are only a few good roads out of it. Many addictive substances are totally legal, and some come with few or no restrictions. Nose spray isn’t the face of addiction, but that doesn’t make it safe to use for long periods of time. You may be wondering, can you really get addicted to nasal spray? The answer is yes. Prolonged or incorrect use of nose spray can lead to addiction, and the best way to address that is with a reputable substance abuse treatment center.
When you feel as though there’s nowhere you can turn, know that you can come here. At Oceanfront Recovery in Laguna Beach, we know that substance abuse can be almost impossible to face without help. Our staff and resources are there for you every step of the way as you work toward a happy, sober lifestyle. With beautiful facilities located conveniently near the beach, our services can provide a quiet respite for you as you recover. If you or a loved one is struggling with nose spray or the use of another substance, contact us today to see how we can help. Call us at 877.296.7477 or visit us online for more information.
Can You Get Addicted to Nose Spray?
Frequent use of nasal spray can be more dangerous than you think. Overuse of a nasal spray can damage your nasal tissue. If you think you may be developing a dependency, you should stop using nose spray entirely and consider getting professional help. Consider managing allergy symptoms with other medication, under instruction from a doctor, or try a neti pot.
Nose spray uses its ingredients to shrink the blood vessels in your nose, which reduces inflammation. Once the medicine has worn off, the nasal tissue will enlarge again and sometimes swell to larger than the original size.
Why Are Nasal Sprays Addictive?
Some types of nose sprays use ingredients like oxymetazoline and pseudoephedrine. These substances can cause you to develop a dependency called “rebound congestion,” and you might discover that you need to use the spray more and more to feel better. The contraction and then swelling of your nasal blood vessels is what causes the rebound congestion and subsequent dependency.
Here are some common symptoms to look for if you’re concerned about a nose spray addiction, rebound congestion, or a dependency on ingredients found in nasal sprays:
- A seemingly sudden decrease in the effectiveness of your nose spray might suggest that your tolerance to it is rising. High tolerance is something to look for when recognizing addiction.
- Repeated feelings of sinus congestion soon after using a nasal spray may be indicative of rebound congestion.
- If you use nose spray in higher doses or more often than is recommended on the bottle, you may be developing a dependency.
- When you need to use it, even if your congestion is manageable, you’re becoming accustomed to it as a crutch.
Access Recovery with Oceanfront
Addiction is much easier to combat with valuable allies on your side, and Oceanfront Recovery is there to help you through. When you choose professional help to get sober, you give yourself access to resources to help you make it last. Our treatment programs are carefully customized to each of our clients, and through a dual diagnosis approach, we are equipped to address outside factors that may be impacting your addiction. For more information on any of our services, reach out today by calling us at 877.296.7477.
