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Importance of Quick Accessibility to Substance Abuse Treatment

Substance abuse leads to drug addiction, a progressive illness resulting in mental and physical health detriment or even death, and not necessarily in that particular order. Narcotics Anonymous defines an addict as a man or woman whose life is controlled by drugs. Addiction not only affects the person suffering from it, but his family and loved ones as well. Recovery from substance abuse requires a genuine willingness to stop, and quick accessibility to treatment and support groups.

  1. The Facts

    • In a study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it was revealed that in 2007, an estimated 19.9 million Americans aged 12 or older (around 8 percent of the population) were current users of illegal drugs. Nearly one in five of those were 18 to 25 years old, and many more are current tobacco or binge alcohol users. They determined the consequences of this drug use to be potentially far-reaching, playing a role in the cause and progression of many medical disorders, including addiction. The reality is that only a slim percent of those Americans receive treatment for substance abuse.

    Considerations

    • According to the National Guideline Clearinghouse, supervised detoxification may prevent potentially life-threatening complications that might occur if a patient is left untreated. Prolonged substance abuse may provoke violent crimes, accidents and mental and health deterioration.

    Intervention

    • While some substance abusers are able to recognize their problem and ask for help, many others neglect the reality of their current situation. Intervention from family and friends is often needed, to aid the person suffering from substance abuse in acknowledging the effect his behavior is having in their lives.

    Expert Insight

    • Even if an intervention is done and quick accessibility to treatment is granted to the person suffering from substance abuse, recovery will depend on his willingness to get better. No one can force recovery on someone else, and most recovering drug addicts eventually relapse. Recovery is a process, not an event, and it must be taken one day at a time.

    Programs

    • There is a vast number of quick, accessible, substance abuse recovery programs. The United State's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration issued several campaigns such as: A Family Guide To Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy & Drug Free, Access to Recovery, Building Blocks for a Healthy Future, Campaign for Mental Health Recovery, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Find Youth Info, Homelessness Resource Center and many others. Likewise, organizations such as Narcotic Anonymous have on-going, 12-step program meetings available every day of the week.

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