Patients at Coalition Recovery are not your stereotypical “addict”. Many have realized their action or actions could potentially lead them to something more serious. They have come to Coalition Recovery to dissolve any of these feelings before their actions escalate. The general population believes treatment centers are exclusively reactive measurements, whereas at times they can be more of a preemptive approach to addiction. Call us to learn more about relapse prevention therapy.
The Stigma
There is a stigma that Substance Abuse Treatment Centers are solely for those who have severe addictions. In fact, many of the patients here at Coalition Recovery have little to no problem. It might sound strange to attend a Drug Addiction Treatment Center (talk about strong words) without an actual addiction. Ok, maybe that’s not entirely true, but most people here do not have the type of addiction most people think. When many people hear the word “substance abuse”, they usually correlate it with a term associated with “junkie”. If this is you, try to wipe away any preconceived notion of your stereotypical user. The definition of addiction may be more general than you think. Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance (e.g., alcohol, cocaine, nicotine) or engages in an activity (e.g., gambling, sex, shopping) that can be pleasurable but the continuation of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary responsibilities and concerns, such as work, relationships, or health. Now clearly the definition does not explicitly mention any drug, age, class, or most importantly – intensity. Addiction’s effect on people’s lives can range from an arrest (what most people associate with addiction) to a slide in relationships or school (the most common). If there has ever been one instance where a substance has influenced an everyday life situation, that is an abuse of the substance. These situations could be as simple as driving while under the influence or a failure to attend an obligation due to the relaxing effects of a drug. Remember substance abuse is different than dependence.
Taking Preventative Measures
You might be thinking, “signing up for an addiction treatment center because I drove home a little tipsy one night sounds a little drastic!” It may appear this way, in part, due to the stigma of addiction and treatment centers, but these actions might be the beginning of something worse. Taking preventative measures before things escalate and have severe negative consequences may not be that absurd. So just remember, if your child or loved one shows signs of a potential addiction, it is smart to first talk to them about it. If the problem persists, it would be in the best interest to contact a treatment center as a preventative measure to ensure their actions do not escalate into something serious.
Young Adults – College Students
Here at Coalition Recovery, we specialize in preventive techniques, especially with young adults and college students. We understand college years (ages 18-23) are vulnerable times when it comes to substance abuse. These are the times they will be exposed to many different types of substances. Talking to your child about the dangerous effects of drugs is a great start, but if you notice they may be starting to experiment regularly, it may be necessary to take preventative measures. Luckily we have a specialized program for aspiring students. The Renaissance Program connects students with similar visions and mindsets and develops an accessible path for them to pursue their goals of higher education while maintaining healthy sobriety.
