Have you ever asked yourself any of the following questions when it comes to substance abuse?
Why me?
How did this happen to me?
How did I get here?
How do I get help?
Where do I go for change?
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
If you or a loved one has ever asked any of these questions, you are not alone. Substance abuse is on the rise and affecting nearly every family in America in one way or another. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 19.7 million Americans battle substance abuse in one form or another. (https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2017-nsduh-annual-national-report)
So why do some people develop a problem and others don’t? First, substance abuse can become a problem for anyone no matter their race, ethnicity, age, social or economical status. There is no immunity to it. Nobody knows for sure why some are more susceptible to forming a habit or abusing a substance than others, but we do know it could be anyone at any time. We do know there is research showing it could have to do with genetic traits passed on through family lines along with a person’s environment and social influence. But, one thing is for certain, once a habit is formed and abuse has taken hold, it can be very difficult to quit.
People often ask why can’t my loved one just stop? Why does he/she continue to make bad choices? Doesn’t he/she know they are ruining their lives and damaging relationships? The answer is not easy to explain in one broad stroke. As stated above, there could be many reasons why a person becomes addicted, but we can give one simple example to try and illustrate the challenges our loved ones face. Imagine if someone asked you to stop eating any and all sugar for the rest of your life. This means ALL sugar in every form. No holiday treats, no after dinner mints, no sweetener in your coffee, no sugar at all at any time…. Hard to do? No? Try it for a week or a month and see how well you do and if you crave that one piece of dark chocolate. Don’t give in, because if you do, you fail. This is what an addict faces on a daily basis but 10 times worse.
THERE IS HOPE
Luckily there is HOPE and help out there for those wanting or needing a change. The first step is recognizing a person needs help and starting down the path to recovery. Second is to seek out help, usually starting with a detox facility.
Hope Rising Detox and Rehab in Southern Utah is a great place to find help, HOPE and support for anyone struggling with addiction. Long term specialized and individualized treatment plans are provided as part of the detox first step. Want help? Start with a place that has caring and trained professionals who understand the road to recovery. Give us a call today.