Drug addiction is a serious problem in the United States. However, there are many hurdles that people face when trying to seek treatment.
There are many reasons why people may use drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the most common reasons that people use them are to feel better, relieve stress, reduce anxiety in social situations and capitulate to peer pressure.
Drug use turns into an addiction when your brain associates a drug with the dopamine rush that drug causes, which in turn causes the brain to crave that sensation, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
People may be more prone to drug abuse if they’re having trouble at home, school or work; if they have physical or mental health problems; if they are exposed to people who use drugs or if they start using drugs at a young age. Biological factors and genetics also play a role in addiction.
Despite the harmful consequences of drug abuse, there aren’t enough preventative measures and treatment facilities in the country. More precautions should be taken to reduce the negative impacts.
One measure that can be taken is to simply talk about drug addiction. Raising awareness about it can make people more aware of its effects and reduce the overall stigma around it. Stigma around drug addictions is detrimental, as it feeds into the stereotypes of addiction and puts a lot of blame on the person who’s struggling with the addiction, making it difficult for them to seek treatment.
Though it may be a difficult subject to talk about, parents should have conversations with their kids about drug abuse and how it affects not only the person using drugs, but also the people around them. An emphasis on the consequences of drug abuse should also be made standard in our public-school systems.
Education regarding alternatives to drug use should also be an emphasis in public settings. For example, people can exercise or pick up a new hobby such as art, playing an instrument or learning a new language.
Apart from taking preventive measures against drug addiction, the hurdles that people face when trying to seek treatment should be reduced.
One of the major hurdles is the cost of treatment. According to American Addiction Centers, drug detox programs can cost between $250 and $800 per day, and inpatient care can cost between $5,000 and $80,000 depending on the facility’s location, the services offered and how long the patient stays. Even with insurance, it can take a long time for people to fully cover the expenses of rehabilitation services.
Sometimes, people might not want to admit that they have a problem. They may not realize the impact their addiction has on their relationships and other aspects of their lives. In other cases, people may be fully aware of the impacts of their addiction and not have the desire to quit on their own.
Another barrier that people face is time conflict. Treatment and recovery take time, and it’s not a linear process. It is common for people to relapse, and people should be patient with themselves when figuring out what kind of treatment works best for them.
It is also important to learn the signs of drug addiction and the effects it can have on a person’s loved ones. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of an addiction to drugs include slurred speech; lack of coordination; irritability and mood swings and problems with memory and concentration.
If you or someone you know has an addiction to harmful substances, there are resources that can help you. The Latah Recovery Center has treatment options for both University of Idaho students and the Moscow community. For UI students, the counseling center is free to use.
Vanessa Werner can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @VanessaRWerner