If you or a loved one requires drug treatment, an excellent resource is the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service. They have all the required information to help find a substance abuse treatment service for families and individuals needing help. CSAT is involved with State and community groups helping with development of existing drug treatment services. CSAT supports SAMHSA’s free drug treatment referral services, which connect people to the substance abuse help they require in their area. If you are considering reaching out for help, don’t wait, log on to www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for details regarding counseling services and hotlines.
Drug addiction, as with all addictions is curable, but requires drug treatment, discipline, caring support, and time. Because of the stronghold addictive drugs have on individuals caught in the snare, it is almost certain the cravings will win over reasoning. Because the pain of addiction is so destructive, the user often becomes defeated, depressed, and mentally desperate. Relapses are extremely common for those who have been addicted even for a short time. For this reason, you must seek out continued professional drug treatment if the addiction is ever to be defeated.
Initially treatment will assist the person in getting past withdrawal and reduce the body’s cravings for the substance. Just like any illness, drug treatment will address issues such as diet, unhealthy choices, and thought patterns, behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, and habits. Each person has a unique set of circumstances to consider and facilities understand which treatments will be most effective for each case. The ultimate goal is to be drug free and able to function in your family and community.
According to (SAMHSA’s) National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2006, 23.6 million people over 12 years old required treatment for drugs or alcohol dependency. Unfortunately, a mere 2.5 million or 10.8 percent of people who needed help for their addiction actually went to a facility for treatment. About 40 percent of reported admissions were for alcohol dependency treatment. Opium containing drugs such as Heroin accounted for the majority of drug addicts seeking treatment, (about 18 percent) and 16 percent were people requiring help with marijuana addiction.
These statistics show clearly that millions of Americans who need help with their addictions are not getting help. Surveys reveal a staggering number of people do not believe they require treatment.
If you or your loved one is in denial, statistics show you are not alone. While there is still a chance for recovery, friends and families must take the responsibility to ensure their loved ones are made aware that they need some form of drug or alcohol treatment. Especially in light of the damage caused to communities and loved ones due to addiction in America.