Accessibility to drugs
Easy access to illicit drugs contribute to an increase in drug dependence rate. One survey shows that about 35% of 12th graders in the US have smoked pot before. The story doesn’t end here. Most drug syndicates have honed the skill of marketing these addictive substances. They have successfully lured many teenagers and young adults.
Unfortunately, drug addiction is a pandemic that isn’t likely to go away anytime soon. They have become a lot more creative in convincing people on the supposed “goodness” of taking these drugs. These illicit drug marketers are less bothered about how these drug dependents cope in their day-to-day activities or how they could avoid the pains related to withdrawal syndrome. As long as there is an inflow of funds generated from drug sales, they will come up with new strategies of making these illicit substances accessible to the public.
Advanced Technologies
The internet allows the marketing of illicit drugs to go on with ease. It also enables drug peddlers to claim anonymity while they deliver these commodities at the buyer’s doorsteps. Illegal drugs are now sold more conveniently than before. Social media makes it difficult for the authorities to track down sellers of these illegal products.
Genetics
According to studies on drug abuse, there is a correlation between genetics and drug abuse. One study involved 861 identical twins and 653 fraternal twins. The results demonstrated that there is a higher likelihood for an identical twin to develop an addiction than a non-identical twin. There is another study conducted on 231 respondents clinically diagnosed with drug addiction or alcoholism. 61 persons neither drug addicts nor alcoholics also participated in the survey. It is 8 times more likely for participants whose parents were addicts to become dependents.
The severity and type of drug abuse case determine the kind of treatment an addict will receive. Drug addicts are free to choose between receiving treatment on an outpatient or inpatient basis. If the patient has a strong will to leave drugs, there is a better chance of recovery. The types of substance abuse treatment include:
Counseling and behavioral therapy form the basis in rehabilitating drug addicts. The aim is to develop coping skills and change attitudes and behavior. Here are the main therapeutic approaches for managing drug addiction.
Other forms of therapeutic approaches such as multidimensional family therapy, contingency management, and motivational incentives are also applied
Administration of medications is important in managing withdrawal syndrome and other symptoms of drug addictions. There is not one drug used in treating addiction due to different drugs. These prescription medicines with respect to substance addiction include:
It is easy to relapse when there is no headway in the recovery process. Besides, researches have shown that patients are likely to suffer setbacks when detoxified alone. The path to recovery is arduous and requires dedication. Family support, medication, and counseling are the major aspects of the rehabilitation of drug addicts. However, rehab professionals are also accountable to recovery success. Pessimistic clinicians with a stereotyped view about drug addiction do not help the recovery cause of the patient. In a 2005 study, Dennis and his colleagues reported that an average of 27 years passed before adolescents fully recovered following substance initiation.
Laub and Sampson interviewed a cohort of participants recruited from a reform institution in a 55-year old retrospective study. They discovered that a few of them were delinquent after 70 years. However, most of them left the criminal way of life in their 30s. These people had stable employment, better social skills, and spousal support. The authors concluded that there is a good chance for anyone to desert their erstwhile lifestyle. However, the ties to work and family put the recovery from drug addiction into perspective.
The recovery of patients from drug abuse has some underlying principles:
The Betty Ford Institute Consensus Panel defines recovery as a way of life sustained by willpower and characterized by sobriety, personal health, and citizenship. The stages of recovery include early sobriety, sustained sobriety (between the 1st and 5th year) and stable sobriety (more than 5 years). CHIME is a concept that puts recovery into perspective. It is an acronym standing for Connectedness, Hope and Optimism, Identity, Meaning in Life, and Empowerment.
Connectedness: A healthy relationship with family and acquaintances helps in recovering from drug addiction.
Hope and Optimism: It doesn’t come as a surprise to find out that many former drug addicts who are sober have an optimistic outlook on life.
Identity: Self-consciousness is an essential step toward recovery. The patient must learn to accept that everyone has a distinct personality.
Meaning in Life: It is necessary for drug addicts to accept the idea that everyone has dignity, and there is a meaning to life. Else, they will feel purposeless, and there is a huge risk of falling back on these illicit drugs.
Empowerment: Drug addicts need reassurance that they will have stable employment and access to basic healthcare when they recover. An improved standard of living helps to ease the path towards recovery.
Sober living homes (SLHs) are facilities usually meant for people – who have recently left a rehab center – that need an organized and supportive environment as they transition to independence. SLHs revolve around a 12-step program developed by Alcohol Anonymous. Residents of sober living must abide by rules. The common ones are:
Hawthorne Sober living homes are usually in peaceful areas. Serenity is helpful for people seeking recovery from drug addiction. They need a quiet environment to collect their thoughts and search deeper into their mind to get a meaning to life. If there a positive outcome in this regard, they will develop an optimistic outlook about life, which is key to maintaining sobriety.
Want to take the charge of your life? Join our Hawthorne Sober Living Home now!
Located in the heart of West Los Angeles, our residences are centrally located near the beach, downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and LAX international airport. It provides a safe and comfortable base for young men to involve themselves in the community and to thrive as new and growing individuals.
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Located in the heart of West Los Angeles, our residences are centrally located near the beach, downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and LAX international airport. It provides a safe and comfortable base for men to involve themselves in the community and to thrive as new and growing individuals. Our central location allows easy access from the 405, 105, 10 and 110 freeways. We cater to men who are looking for a sober living home on the Westside of Los Angeles County.
Design for Recovery implements a structured, 12 step based program and serves to rebuild the lives of men who are desperate to break free from the chains of their addiction.
