Are you or someone you know struggling with a drug addiction? Is it beginning to affect your relationships with other people and your ability to manage your day-to-day life, such as school and work obligations? It’s not easy to admit you may need to visit drug rehab centers, but it’s the first step on a long and satisfying journey to recovery and independence. Alcohol abuse treatment centers and private rehab facilities are staffed by trained professionals who can provide you or your loved one with the emotional and physical resources needed to manage the addiction, curb its effects and find more healthy and positive long-term lifestyle changes. If you’re wondering whether or not you may qualify for drug intervention, continue reading below to learn more about substance abuse and the options available to you.

Drug Abuse In North America

While some drugs are more frequently purchased and abused than others, there are many different ways to develop an addiction — some turn to alcohol, while others can find addictive substances in over-the-counter medication. The effects can feel beneficial for a time, such as reducing anxiety and encouraging deeper sleep patterns, but over the months can turn into an addiction that can interfere with personal and work relationships, school, hobbies and healthy sleep. While using alcohol in moderation can be helpful to manage stress, using it consistently and in the long-term can lead to dependency. Millions of American adults today struggle to manage a form of substance abuse or alcoholism.

Alcoholism

Multiple alcohol and mental health-related studies conducted at CAMH have shown Canadians drink more than 50% the global average (http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/Pages/home.aspx), making it the third leading cause of disease and injury. Substance abuse has cost the Canadian health care system well over $8 billion and nearly 48,000 Canadian deaths are linked to substance abuse every year. Families can have a history of alcoholism and pass it down through the generations, encouraging symptoms of dependency easier than those that don’t have a history of the disease. However, there are a multitude of factors that can contribute to debilitating alcoholism — trauma, mental illness and grief are but a few reasons that can cause someone to abuse alcohol and need the assistance of drug rehab centers.

Mental Illness

Mental illness and trauma directly correlates with many, though not all, reasons of alcohol abuse and drug addiction. This can range from mild to severe depression, generalized anxiety disorder and personality disorders such as borderline or avoidant. Studies have found young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are more likely to experience a combination of mental illness and substance abuse than any other age group, with 70% of mental health problems reaching their onset during childhood or adolescence. Drug rehab centers are well-versed in the art of diagnosing and treating mental health symptoms and can provide healthy coping methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy for those suffering.

Signing Up For Rehabilitation

There’s no shame in admitting you need help. Indeed, the very nature of chemical dependency means that simply quitting is incredibly difficult and requires the intervention of trained professionals, family and friends alike. Counseling sessions can last for months at a time, crafted to fit your schedule and unique needs to better ensure you don’t miss out and can recover sooner rather than later. You’ll be taught important life skills and may have to change your diet, exercising habits or sleep schedule to accommodate your recovery. It’s never too late to get a new start on your life — call your local drug rehab centers and see how they can help you get back on the right track again.