National Substance Abuse Prevention Month
Using drugs and alcohol during adolescence greatly increases your risk of developing an addiction, as 90% of people who have a substance abuse disorder started using substances before they turn 18. National Substance Abuse Prevention Month is dedicated to supporting those impacted by addiction, sharing substance abuse prevention strategies and promoting access to treatment.
Substance abuse and addiction affect more than 17 million adults in the United States annually. Worse yet, there is a massive gap between the number of people who need substance abuse treatment and the number of people who receive help. In 2013, roughly 22.7 million adults in the United States needed substance abuse treatment. However, only 2.5 million people completed a substance abuse treatment program. Contact us today to learn more about if a New Jersey rehab treatment center is right for you.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic and progressive mental health disorder that causes you to compulsively abuse drugs and alcohol despite negative consequences and having a desire to quit. Drugs and alcohol cause neurotransmitter imbalances because they force your brain to release more neurotransmitters than it should every time you use or drink.
Once intoxication ends, you experience cravings and withdrawal symptoms because you are suddenly depleted of pleasurable neurotransmitters. This can cause major changes to your pleasure and reward center. Additionally, addiction impairs your judgment and increases risk-taking behaviors. Addiction, substance abuse disorders, and alcoholism can also cause:
- Liver and heart damage
- Neurological problems and cognitive damage
- Behavioral and personality changes
- Financial, housing, and legal problems
- Isolation and depression
Another risk of addiction is death, as drugs and alcohol can lead to fatal overdoses. Addiction can lower your overall quality of life, especially if you are spending excessive amounts of money acquiring your substance of choice. The chances of experiencing legal problems in connection to your drug or alcohol use are also very high, especially if you drive impaired or are dependent on illegal substances.
While addiction isn’t curable, going to an outpatient addiction treatment center with the life skills training, can give you the guidance and resources you need to recover.
What is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month
National Substance Abuse Prevention Month 2019 is dedicated to helping prevent drug and alcohol use, especially among young people. Another major goal of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month is to help connect those struggling with an addiction, alcoholism, or a substance abuse disorder connect with treatment. Since access to treatment is a major problem, National Substance Abuse Prevention Month helps promote resources that can help you find a treatment program.
Reaching Out for Help Today
When you are struggling with a substance abuse disorder, you can feel cornered and trapped. National Substance Abuse Prevention Month focuses not just on how to avoid developing an addiction, but knowing that help is always just a phone call away. To find out more about how we can help you get on the road to recovery, call us today at [Direct].