Substance Abuse still seems to be a fragile topic. Unlike you, most people turn a blind eye to the entire situation. On hearing “substance abuse” most people associate it with the homeless person on the sidewalk, or the junkie in the alley and say, “not in my life”. The reality is the problem hits a lot closer to home. Addiction is not a character flaw, or an affliction only associated with the mentally unstable. It doesn’t discriminate and can affect anyone from the everyday blue-collar worker to the investment banker. The sooner we can end this stigma, the sooner those suffering will be able to face themselves and develop an honest assessment. Because of the picture we have painted around the term, many may never understand how much it actually affects them in everyday life. Call us today to learn more about opioid education.
Effects
Contrary to common belief, substance abuse affects all of us, although maybe not always directly. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs is costing our Nation more than $740 billion annually in costs related to crime, lost work productivity, and healthcare. Drug rehab costs for addiction recovery are skyrocketing. Whether you have a problem yourself, you know someone directly affected by drugs, or neither, this is an issue that needs to be addressed. Ending the stigma and understanding the severity of the situation is half of the battle.
Breaking Through Denial
Millions of people struggle with addiction and don’t know it. The stereotype of substance abuse causes the misconception that if you have a job, family, and friends, you don’t have a problem. The stigma of drug abuse often prevents people from seeking treatment until the user hits rock bottom. When in the downward spiral of addiction, the individual is usually the last person to recognize the warning signs as they coast through their own personal collapse. Quality drug and alcohol rehab centers are few and far in between, but in most cases, many just simply refuse to seek treatment. One of the hardest but most important hurdles is to admit there is a problem. Facing the facts and admitting to a drug problem seems like officially labeling yourself weak or a low-life junkie. When we imprison people for using, this creates the delusion these people choose to be criminals, but in reality, they are not criminals at all. Substance abuse is not a choice or even a character flaw, but a disease and should be treated as such. What people must understand is that substance abuse is a common problem. 21.5 million American adults (9.3%) battled a substance use disorder in 2014. This number is increasing year after year. Understanding the reality of substance abuse will help many people feel strong and come to terms with their substance abuse disorder.
What is Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse is a disease, not a crime. Similar to all diseases, physicians monitor genetics to determine the likeliness of developing the disease as well as monitor symptoms to determine its severity. Its common people may not even realize they have a disease until diagnosed. Some people experiment with drugs in a social setting for recreation. But how do you know if your recreational use has turned into a problem? What are the signs of substance abuse? It’s hard to draw this line. Different sources give different symptoms – both physical and mental. You would think prevalence would be a pretty straightforward tell, but even the intensity can be tricky. Take this example for instance. Tom drinks once or twice a week, while Mary only drinks once a month, but this does mean Tom has a worse problem than Mary? When Mary drinks she could drink so much that she become reckless and endangers her and others around her. The general rule is: if it is affecting your life, it is a problem. This can include self-image, jobs, and relationships. While an assured way to determine a problem is talking to a doctor or psychiatrist, most people can ascertain it for themselves. The first step is honestly assessing symptoms. Symptoms of substance abuse include:
- Compulsiveness
- Changes in attitude
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Financial Problems
- Failing to meet work obligations
- Criminal Activity Involvement
- Using despite negative consequences
Treatment
While there is treatment for this disease, many people who suffer from substance abuse report limited success in part to low-quality treatment centers, but also due to the fact that addiction is a “relapsing brain disease”. Once a person is treated for their addiction, the recovery process is continual. In some instances, people will never get help or overcome their addiction until they reach rock bottom – the lowest point in a person’s life when they come to the self-realization they need help. Drug Rehab Centers like Coalition Recovery have adapted multiple means of treatment strategies besides physical and mental diagnoses to match each person’s needs individually – which is proven to substantially improve success rates. What people must understand is there is no “cure”. The only way to solve an addiction is to have the drive and motivation to want to be clean. If an individual does not want to be helped, it makes treatment difficult, but not impossible. If you or a loved one is suffering from substance abuse addiction, it is perfectly normal to reach out for help. Millions of people have conquered their addiction and come out of the other side into a life of happiness and hope. Addiction is a disease, and there is help.
What Can The Rest of Us Do About It?
Substance abuse problems are becoming more and more prevalent today. Addiction now affects one in every three households in America so chances are pretty good you know or will know someone with a problem. But what can we do to help these people and diminish these rates? Curbing the epidemic is a little more complicated than simply seeking treatment. The problem is complex, which means it requires a complex solution but these will be a substantial first step.
1. End The Stigma
While doctors and experts know addiction is a medical condition, much of the public views it more as a moral failure. Understand substance abuse is a common problem, and it affects people from all social standings. Addiction doesn’t have a face. Anonymous meetings are populated by lawyers, accountants, young adults and teenagers who describe comfortable middle-class upbringings. When talking about substance abuse, do not refer to it as if it is a weakness, but rather an affliction. Addiction ruins lives, but too often do we condemn and criticize because we believe they chose to make wrong choices. Show sympathy towards them. Often times, they are lacking connection, and any sort of empathy and love could be enough to bring them back on track.
2. Advocate For Change
With more people dying from opioid overdose than car crashes and gun homicide combined, this is an epidemic. To advocate for change, you must understand where the problem stems. Exercise and physical therapy are difficult to implement, especially in certain areas, so doctors prescribe painkillers as an easy answer; usually prescribing more than needed to cover their back against angry patients. The solution to this problem is more than just simply cutting out the supply of prescription opioids though. Without addressing factors that really drive demand like inequality, unemployment, mental illness and despair, substitution to other drugs like heroin and Fentanyl are only inevitable. While the solution seems convoluted, knowing which avenues to advocate will be the first step. Addiction is an affliction, not a crime. We should not be incarcerating people for their addiction because this is not helping the root cause of the problem, particularly the socioeconomic and mental health problems that are commonly linked to drug use. Instead of focusing on “the war on drugs” we need to be developing stronger social safety net policies, creating new job programs, offering better wraparound social services, better integrating mental health care with the rest of the health care system, encouraging non-drug sources of relaxation and entertainment, and on and on.
3. Educate
9/10 people who have substance abuse experiment with the drug before the age of 18. This gives us a perspective on how we can combat these issues. Lack of education and support is a large part of why so many are becoming addicted to drugs – mainly opioids. Instead of teaching “drugs are bad” we should be looking at the underlying causes why adolescents try drugs. We must advocate to speak out about mental illnesses. Most people are afraid to talk about it, but it is imperative that they do. Almost everyone who develops a substance abuse issue has a varying degree of underlying issues, whether it is a childhood trauma, anxiety, or depression; these are the real issues to why people are becoming dependent.
Addiction is a disease, but there is help. If you or anyone you know needs help, don’t hesitate to reach out – that’s why we’re here. (888) 707-2873 | Coalition Recovery offers an incredible clinical program for drug and substance abuse and is innovating a new approach to aftercare through higher education increasing the chance of achieving long-term recovery. Don’t wait. A better tomorrow starts here. Because Tomorrow Matters.
