Anyone thinking about seeking help for addiction should know that they are not alone. The 2022 United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicates 46.8 million Americans age 12 and older battled a substance use disorder in the previous 12 months. In addition, 10.5 percent of Americans 12 and older had an alcohol use disorder in the past year.
Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in Canada, followed by nicotine/ tobacco and cannabis. An estimated 3 percent of Canadians have used one of five illegal drugs in the past year, and that rate increases to 4 percent among youths between the ages of 15 and 19.
Substance abuse is not only expensive, but also dangerous. Addiction can cause health problems and damage relationships. Use of illicit substances and alcohol also can cause death. Taking the first step to enter treatment is seldom easy, but it can prove beneficial in the long run. Here’s how to start the journey to recovery.
• Be honest with yourself. The first step to recovering from a substance use disorder is to recognize you have a problem. You are not alone in this battle, and it can take great courage to admit your missteps. Be proud of yourself for wanting to get help, even if you haven’t quit just yet.
• Reach out to friends and family. WebMD says a close family member or friend can be one of your biggest supporters as you take steps to recover. Although you cannot be entirely sure how they will react to the news, family and close friends may already suspect a substance abuse problem.
• Be receptive to an intervention. Sometimes it takes the collective efforts of friends and family to help addicts realize they have people in their corner willing to help them recover. Sometimes interventions are surprises, other times they are not. Listen to what others have to say and how they may be willing to help you change patterns that lead to continued substance abuse.
• Work with an addiction professional. The Mayo Clinic says an addiction professional is usually a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Medical experts have realized that addiction is an illness and not just a matter of bolstering one’s willpower. Therefore, enlisting a professional to suggest the best approaches to treatment and follow-up can lay a foundation for a successful recovery.
• Speak with a doctor. It may be intimidating to admit you need help, and if you don’t feel comfortable speaking with family, you can consult your doctor. A doctor is required to keep anything you say to him or her confidential. A doctor may refer you to substance abuse professionals or prescribe medications that could make it easier to stop using a substance and ease withdrawal symptoms. If drugs or alcohol are being used to self-medicate, a doctor also may suggest safer alternatives that can treat issues that alcohol or drugs may be masking.
Addiction can seem like an impossible hole to climb out of. However, with help, people can get on the road to recovery.
