Drug abuse is an equal opportunity affliction that affects people from all socioeconomic groups, age ranges and walks of life. Although some people are at higher risk of using and abusing drugs and alcohol due to their life circumstances, anyone can lose control of their life to the power and pull of drugs. Watching a loved one succumb to the effects of drug abuse is a heart wrenching experience. Understanding more about drug use and abuse can help you assist a loved one in getting necessary help so he or she can break free from addiction.

Types of Drugs Abused By Addicts

• Street Drugs- Street drugs are illegal, nonprescription drugs, such as cocaine, heroin and marijuana, used for the purpose of stimulating or depressing the mind and body. Some street drugs are grown, such as heroin and marijuana, while others are manufactured, such as crystal meth. As is the case with any type of drug, the side effects vary from drug to drug.
• Prescription Drugs- Drugs that are normally used or prescribed by medical doctors are known as prescription drugs. Sometimes these drugs such as pain killers, are sold illegally on the street and are often purchased by users who are addicted to them and can no longer obtain the drugs from a doctor.
• Alcohol- Alcohol, street drugs and prescription drugs are all substances that lead to abuse and addiction. The fact that alcohol is easily obtained by those who are old enough to buy it makes it easier for the addict to feed his or her addiction.

Dangers of Drug Abuse

• Health Risks- Continued use of drugs or alcohol results in physical and mental health risks. Substance abuse can damage your brain, the major body organs and it can lead to death.
• Legal Problems- Addicts often find themselves having to resort to stealing to support their habits. If this doesn’t lead to legal problems, purchasing drugs can. Time in jail or prison is a valid risk for those who continue to use and abuse drugs or alcohol.
• Effects on the Family- The addict isn’t the only one who suffers the consequences of addiction. If you have a loved one involved in substance abuse your entire family suffers, too. Loss of work, increased family stress and the toll addiction takes on everyone’s emotions can cause a family to fall apart under the weight of addiction.

Importance of Drug Rehab Treatment

• Specialized Care- Those who abuse drugs and alcohol require specialized care that addresses their physical, mental and emotional needs. Administered by people trained in substance abuse and addictions, this highly-specialized level of care creates a strong foundation for recovery.
• Support- Drug rehab centers offer a variety of important support systems to help the addict become accountable and learn to handle life without turning to drugs. Medical personnel, addictions counselors and other recovering addicts contribute toward the support your loved one needs.
• Therapy- Daily therapy sessions can include individual, family and group therapy. A combination of these three helps your loved one uncover contributing factors to his or her addiction and learn how to work through them in healthier, more positive ways.

Without appropriate help, drug addiction continues to escalate as the addict’s body requires the drug in greater doses and at more frequent intervals. Willpower, love and hope are not enough to get someone to stop taking drugs, even if the person wants to. By talking to an intake counselor today you can begin the process of helping the person you love, a child, parent or spouse get the care and treatment needed to break addiction and provide hope for life in recovery.

How to get help for drug abuse

There are several ways to get help for drug abuse. The first and most desirable is self-motivation. This is a desirable approach to drug abuse treatment because acknowledging that there is a problem is the first step to drug abuse recovery. If a drug abuser checks themselves into a rehabilitation program, they are acknowledging up front that there is a problem requiring a solution and they want help fixing it. Other times, the addict may feel they can quit with only limited support, like outpatient therapy or regular attendance at support group meetings. There is a host of information on the Internet and in local phone directories to help addicts connect with these resources.

Other, more common ways to get drug abusers into rehabilitation and treatment include interventions by family or friends. This is a group meeting staged by those concerned by the progressive addiction that has become so painfully obvious to everyone but the addict. Out of concern for the addict’s health and well-being, friends and family may unite and lovingly urge the addict to enroll in drug abuse treatment.
More traumatic ways of getting help for drug abuse include medical or legal intervention. Enrollment in a drug abuse rehabilitation and treatment program will typically follow overdoses, or may be mandated by the courts following a drug charge. Whatever the case may be, it is important to realize that nobody but the drug abuser can make the decision to truly embrace change. True healing will begin when addicts make up their mind that they are weak, they have an addiction and need support from others with similar experiences.

Let Narcanon Help Today

With the highest recovery success rate in the US today, the Narconon Freedom Center has drug rehab treatment and recovery programs that can be customized to target the specific needs of the individual.
We are always here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No matter when you need the assistance of one of our caring staff members, you can be assured of getting the help you need. Please contact us today at the toll-free phone number listed above so that we can help you get back on the road to a normal life.