As a society we are struggling with drug addiction: How you can help

Drug addiction has been a topic that has been brought up more often than not over recent years. This can be due to several factors. One of them is the sharp increase in overdose deaths related to synthetic opioids.

With many types of synthetic drugs hitting the streets and their ease of access, more people are getting addicted. If you or someone you know is addicted, it’s important to make sure that help is needed. A treatment center will be able to make sure someone with an addiction can overcome it.

Now, let’s take a look now at the steps that you and other members of the community should take to combat drug addiction today.

Education and awareness

It’s important that we as a community take the time to learn about drug addiction. It’s also a good idea to increase awareness of it in the best way possible. This includes discussing the true facts about it and dispelling any myths, misconceptions, and misinformation.

We as a community should also make ourselves aware of the stigma surrounding drug addiction. It’s important that a lot of people understand what people are going through. People who keep the stigma alive are those who lack this understanding.

People of all ages will need to learn about drug addiction. Local schools can help children get educated on drug abuse and addiction. Especially adolescents and teens – the age groups that are most likely to experiment with substances.

Intervention and treatment

People struggling with addiction should have access to intervention and treatment. Investments need to be made in programs that provide the services people need to overcome addictions. These include detoxification, counseling, and ongoing support.

Research should also be done to ensure the development of new and innovative treatments for addiction. There are a wide variety of different treatments and therapy for someone who can overcome it.

It should also be noted that treatment programs should take a holistic approach. This includes addressing the physical, psychological, and social aspects of addiction. Other topics that can be addressed include the different types of treatments and therapies that exist.

These include medication-assisted treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, and others. All of these approaches have plenty of evidence proving that each of them is super effective.

Supporting recovery

Recovering from addiction is a lifelong process. For this reason, a person will need ongoing support and care. Society as a whole should help those recovering by helping anyone that may need the necessary resources.

This includes connecting them to support groups, counselors, and other relevant resources. This will ensure that someone who recovered from addiction maintains their progress. It’s also key to helping the family members of recovering addicts as well.

Family members may need a list of resources of who to turn to. Especially in times when someone in their family may be struggling to maintain their progress and is close to relapse. Supporting a person’s recovery will be a great help.

It can make the difference between someone keeping track of their recovery and someone who might not be. As a community, people can help others live healthy and fulfilling lives. Without addiction, it is possible.

Reducing access to addictive substances

One of the reasons why addiction is a growing problem is accessibility. It has become easier for someone to gain access to substances that are addictive. For this reason, reducing this will take a multi-pronged approach.

Medical personnel should consider regulating the distribution of medications that can easily get abused. This includes prescription opioids and other medications that can be addictive. Needle exchange programs should also be considered by local authorities.

Lastly, community youth should also get involved in drug prevention programs. Law enforcement officials from the local, state, and federal levels must investigate where the supplies of drugs are coming from.

It will take a strategic approach to restrict and slow down the distribution channels. While this approach may not be done overnight, it is a time-consuming and very intensive approach. An abundant supply of drugs can lead to a price low enough for someone to afford it.

Even with a restricted supply and increased prices, this won’t be enough. This may lead to someone stealing and pawning items in order to make enough money to purchase their next supply of drugs. It would be better to close off access altogether.

After-treatment support

After someone has ended treatment for addiction, they are ready to take the next stage in life. This includes finding employment opportunities. This may be a challenge for them if they have a criminal record hanging over their heads.

That’s why it is important for us as a community to help those who have dealt with addiction get proper employment. This will help them get back on their feet, pay off any debts they may have, and more.

Further, job training programs should also be useful. Especially for those looking to learn new skills that will be great for in-demand jobs and careers. Barriers to employment should also be removed and employers that hire individuals who are in recovery should be incentivized.

We should also provide certain living arrangements for those in recovery as well. This can include sober housing that is provided by facilities or organizations. Homelessness or unstable housing situations are not a stable environment for someone in recovery.

Affordable housing and rental assistance may also be a good idea to consider as well. Landlords may need to remove barriers for people who are in recovery.

Final thoughts

Drug addiction affects individuals, families, and communities. It’s time to do our part to put an end to it. We cannot afford one more person to die from an overdose.

We cannot afford to witness a family being torn apart by it. It’s important for us as a community to be aware of the dangers of addiction. Let’s do our part to make sure those battling with addiction get the treatment they need so life can be better for them.