According to the AddictionCenter, over 20 million people over the age of 12 across the United States are battling addiction. While opiate use is on the rise, most people with addictions seek treatment for alcohol abuse. Here’s the startling truth about addiction in America, and some of the steps you can take to get help.

Opiate addiction is one of the leading substance abuse disorders in the United States, and eighty percent of those addicted to heroin started by misusing prescription painkillers. Scientists are still working to understand the relationship between depression and opiates, but the two often go hand in hand, either because people who are predisposed to be depressed are more likely to use opiates, or opiates alter the brain’s reward system, or some combination of the two. Make no mistake: addiction to opiates is lethal, with over 32,000 deaths in 2015 being caused by heroin or opioid overdoses in 2015. In addition, over 5,000 drug-related incidents daily require urgent medical care.

However, opiates are not the most deadly drug in the United States. Experts agree that alcohol presents the biggest problem in the US, with over 13 million people having problems with drinking. Not only can alcoholism result in overdose, but nearly half of all emergency room visits are alcohol related and over one third of patients are intoxicated. Of those, three quarters show signs of alcoholism. Accidental deaths are common for people who are addicted, and comorbiditiessuch as liver disease can mean that a patient’s life expectancy is just six months.

Before a patient can start drug rehab or alcoholism treatment, they’ll need to start the detox process. Acute withdrawal refers to the three to five day withdrawal period in which patients may experience tremors, nausea, sweating, insomnia, anxiety, goosebumps, and a fever. Withdrawals are not technically considered life threatening, but it is recommended that patients facing addiction visit a detox doctor, in part because the likelihood that they will use during withdrawal is incredibly high.

Withdrawal from drugs and alcohol can be difficult, but needing urgent medical care for drug and alcohol related accidents or overdose is worse. If you think you’re struggling with addiction, visit a local alcohol detox center, walk in clinic, or urgent care for support. Addiction is difficult, but you aren’t alone. There are people and resources available to help.