It is unfortunate just how easy it is for people to get a hold of drugs today. There are over 23 million people with substance addictions in the United States in 2020. These addictions are for various substances, including alcohol, cigarettes, methamphetamines, prescription drugs, etc. Some of the statistics of substance abuse are quite alarming; here are some of the most shocking:
There are more than 3 million fatalities every year in the United States because of alcohol consumption. This figure includes all deaths related to alcohol use, including liver disease and fatal car accidents.
A mere 10% of Americans suffering from substance addiction are receiving treatment. That means only 2.3 million of the 23 million sufferers are getting the help that they need.
More than 4% of teenagers throughout the United States are struggling with a form of drug abuse. Alcohol misuse is evident in 2% of teenagers in the country.
Over 5 million people in America admitted to using cocaine regularly, and 4% of students in the 12th grade admitted to using it at least once in their life.
Since 2000, there have been more than 700,000 deaths caused by a drug overdose. The two main culprits being cocaine and heroin.
Almost 12%, more than 32 million people in the United States admitted to using an illegal drug in a 2018 report. This number does not include any doctor prescribed medications.
What Are The Main Reasons People Become Addicted To Drugs?
It is important to understand why people become addicts before attempting to treat them. Not many know that addiction is actually a chronic disease. Addicts will become almost obsessed with the euphoria they experience when taking a drug; that feeling makes it a need to take the drug rather than a want. Despite knowing that the use of narcotics or other substances can be harmful, an addict can’t control the compulsive urge. There are several reasons that some people become addicted to drugs, and others don’t. There is a link to drug abuse and a person’s genetics; it is common for children to become addicts if their parents were. The environment that one was brought up in can significantly influence how they will react to drugs. People who have been around narcotics their entire childhood are far more likely to suffer from substance abuse than those who were not. The age that a person tries drugs is also a factor in whether they will become an addict or not; although addiction can happen at any age, it is more likely if drugs were taken prior to becoming a teen.
As people continue to take drugs, the brain will adjust to the dopamine levels, making the high less intense. Once this adjustment occurs, addicts will usually increase the dose size in an attempt to find that same high. This behavior is one of the leading causes of drug overdoses.
What Is Drug Rehabilitation?
The rehabilitation of a drug addict can be achieved in numerous ways. The goal behind rehabilitation is to stop a person from being dependent on a substance to function; this can be accomplished through psychotherapeutic or medical treatment. The type of treatment used will depend upon the addict and the substance that the addict is addicted to. Here are some of the most common types of treatments for drug rehabilitation:
Residential treatment center (RTC): Usually known as rehab, this is a live-in health care facility where addicts are removed from society and the opportunity to take the substance. This type of treatment’s effectiveness depends on the addict, and this treatment is usually the last straw after other treatments have been attempted.
Methadone or buprenorphine: These are used to treat addicts of opioid-based drugs like heroin, oxycodone, and morphine. The use of buprenorphine or methadone is intended to lower the craving for opiates, which in turn should prevent the use of the drugs. The problem here is that relapse levels are very high after this form of treatment.
Brain Implants: In extreme cases of opioid addiction, brain implants are used to help control the craving s of the addict. This type of treatment is only used if every other treatment type has been tested and failed.
Psychologists: Drug addicts are sent to see a psychologist in an attempt to cure their addiction. During these sessions, the focus is on what caused the habit to start and an attempt to cure the patient of this underlying issue first. During this treatment type, patients must avoid contact with any other drug users and be asked to change their lifestyle to keep them away from that kind of environment.
Holistic Drug Rehabilitation: Unlike other treatment types, holistic drug rehabilitation is a non-medical treatment. The aim is to heal the addict’s mind, spirit, and body rather than stop them from taking drugs. The therapies used are a combination of many activities, including exercise, better nutrition, and meditation. Holistic drug rehabilitation is focused on treating addiction and improving the overall health of the user. Some of the therapies used when a patient is treated holistically for substance abuse are acupuncture, yoga, exercise, massages, and animal therapy.
Cold turkey: Rather than slowly easing off of the drug, Cold Turkey is a sudden and abrupt stop. Treatment through this very unpleasant experience can be dangerous at times, especially with alcohol, barbiturate, or benzodiazepine addicts, who may suffer from fatal seizures. This is the least effective treatment for substance abuse, with many addicts relapsing early on in the treatment.
With all these treatment options available for rehabilitation from substance addiction, why would holistic drug rehabilitation be the way to go? Simply this type of treatment results in the least number of relapses. The low relapse percentage is because not only was the addict cured of their want for the drug, but they were also made healthier in both body and mind. Holistic treatment teaches the patient better habits and ways for them to find euphoria outside of drugs.
