When people hear the word “addiction,” many automatically think of illegal substances such as cocaine or heroin. The truth is that there are many types of addictions, even to legal substances such as alcohol or prescription medication. Here at Crestview Recovery, we help people suffering from all types of addiction get the help they need to live productive, drug-free lives through addiction education and recovery methods.
Who Suffers from Addiction?
In 2015, the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) performed a study. The results revealed that nearly 22 million Americans suffered from a substance use disorder in 2014. One in eight of those suffered from an alcohol and drug use disorder at the same time.
These numbers are staggering, but not surprising to mental health professionals. Nearly eight million Americans are battling a mental health disorder and substance use disorder concurrently. Mental health disorders make it more likely an individual will engage in risky behavior or experiment with drugs.
Reason for Increased Numbers
Prescription drug abuse is rampant and only seems to increase every year. Illegal substances such as heroin continue to pour in across our Southwestern border. New methods of producing methamphetamine make it easier to manufacture in areas where it wouldn’t have been possible to do so before.
It’s not just illegal drugs that are causing problems, though. Prescription drug abuse is rampant and only seems to increase every year. In spite of efforts by the Drug Enforcement Administration and others to stem the tide, abuse of painkillers, anxiety medications and other prescription drugs continues.
There are a number of reasons for the increase in substance use, both illegal and prescription. One reason is that drugs are more available than ever before. With the influx of heroin and other illegal drugs, it’s easier for people to get their hands on substances they shouldn’t be using. The increased availability of methamphetamine has also contributed to the problem.
Another reason for the increase is that drugs are becoming more potent. Methamphetamine, in particular, is now being made in super labs where the ingredients are better purified and the resulting product is much stronger than what was available just a few years ago. This means that people can get high from smaller doses, which can lead to addiction more quickly.
Clearly, there’s cause for alarm. All of the above factors have led to what many experts believe is a genuine drug abuse epidemic in this country.
Is your Loved One Addicted?
People suffering from all types of addiction can display some unusual behavior patterns that may include:
- A loss of interest in things that were once enjoyable
- Unexplained financial difficulties
- Problems keeping, finding, or holding a job
- Becoming withdrawn
- Lack of grooming or personal hygiene
- Suspicious comings and goings or secretive behavior
- Spending less time with old friends and more time with new contacts (particularly if those contacts are also drug or alcohol users)
- Trouble with authorities
The longer an addiction goes on, the more profound the effects. Don’t wait until your loved one reaches rock bottom to reach out. The sooner he or she receives help, the better the odds are that he or she will get and stay sober.
Treatment for the Following Types of Addiction
If your loved one displays any of the signs of addiction, it’s imperative to seek help. The drug rehabilitation specialists at Crestview Recovery are well-equipped to handle the following forms of addiction:
- Alcohol
- Cocaine and crack cocaine
- Heroin
- Marijuana and hashish
- Methamphetamine
- Methadone
- Opiates and opioids
- Prescription medication such as painkillers, oxycodone, Xanax, or Adderall
All forms of addiction can easily control your life. By going to a quality drug rehab center, you can break the chains of addiction and lead a drug-free life. Contact us at 866.262.0531 to take the first step toward recovery.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
