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Posts Tagged ‘
alcohol ’
Introduction
According to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA), there are approximately 11 million children of alcoholics / substance abusers in the United States who are less than 18-years-old. Being raised in a family where abuse of alcohol or other substances (illegal drugs or prescription medications) occurs can lead to a host of challenges for children. Children raised in homes with addictions often silently suffer and struggle with schoolwork, peers, self-esteem, and other problems
Any child who has a parent / guardian / primary caretaker who abuses alcohol or other substances would be considered a child of alcoholics or a child of substances abusers.
Alcohol or substance use among parents / guardians impacts overall family functioning and significantly impacts the ability of parents or guardians to provide appropriate safety and structure for children.
Children are at great risk for emotional, sexual, and physical abuse by parents or guardians who use alcohol or other substances. Many adult children of substance users report years of silent trauma while growing up in an addicted home. Children become vulnerable to assuming the role of the family scapegoat and are frequently blamed for the substance user’s behaviors.
Additionally, interactions with family members become unpredictable, which can lead to children feeling frightened or stressed. Children may feel as if they are "walking on eggshells" and are unaware that alcohol or other drugs influence their parents' moods.
Children often blame themselves for their parents' use of alcohol or drugs. This may result in children attempting to change their own behavior in order to satisfy parents who are difficult to please.
Children of alcoholics / children of substance abusers are at risk to develop several emotional disorders, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety / Panic Attacks
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- Sleep Disturbances
- Social Development Issues
- Substance Abuse Disorders
- Eating Disorders
Many personal characteristics frequently develop in children who are raised in a family where an adult abuses alcohol or other substances. Children frequently become fixated on order, become "perfectionistic," feel different from their peers, become extra-responsible (or act as the "parents"), have difficulty with age-appropriate activities, take themselves too seriously, may be loyal despite proof that the loyalty is not deserved, or develop passive-aggressive ways of dealing with conflict. Conversely, children of alcoholics / children of substance abusers may become rebellious, demonstrate problem behavior, or have difficulty controlling emotions or behavior. In addition, children of alcoholics / children of substance abusers may start alcohol or drug use to cope with stressors, potentially being at risk for leading to a substance use problem.
There are a variety of effective services available for children growing up in families with addiction.
- School Counseling Centers: Public and private schools often employ social workers or guidance counselors who are available to discuss concerns around family addiction and the impact it has on children. This type of program is often designed as a preventive support that attempts to assist students prior to academic issues developing. Individual and group services may be offered.
- Individual Psychotherapy: Therapists trained with addressing family addiction issues are helpful to provide children with support and treatment. For younger children, play therapy (a type of talk therapy that involves the use of games and toys to express feelings) is useful for addressing issues that may be related to parental alcohol or substance use. For adolescents, there is a range of talk therapies available that will build on strength and resilience as well as focus on any symptoms that may have arisen, including depression, self-harming behavior, eating disorders, or anxiety.
- Self-Help: For older children and adolescents, Alateen may be a helpful resource and peer support group. This is a group of other children and teens who are dealing with some sort of family / peer substance use. It is based on a theory that is similar to Alcoholics Anonymous.
It is sometimes difficult to seek help for personal issues and seeking help when one’s parent has an alcohol or substance abuse problem is not exception. However, if you or someone you know is being impacted by family substance abuse, there is help!
Here are some helpful suggestions:
- Talk to a school counselor or teacher.
- Talk with a pediatrician.
- Talk with a mental health professional.
- Talk with an addictions counselor.
- Talk with another family member.
- Attend a self-help meeting.
- Talk to someone else you trust.
- Educate yourself! Read about resources on the Internet.
Resources
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Introduction
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) updated guide to finding local substance abuse treatment programs is now available. The guide, National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs 2006, provides information on thousands of alcohol and drug treatment programs located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and four U.S. territories.
The directory, a nationwide inventory of nearly 11,000 drug abuse and alcoholism treatment programs and facilities, is organized and presented in state-by-state format for quick reference by health care providers, social workers, managed care organizations, and the public. It lists public and private facilities, all of which are licensed, certified, or otherwise approved by substance abuse agencies in each state.
The directory is designed to provide the reader quickly with key information about the location of specific facilities and the nature of the programs and services provided. This includes level of care offered and areas of service specialization, such as programs for adolescents, persons with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders, individuals living with HIV/AIDS and pregnant women.
The 2006 directory identifies long and short-term residential treatment facilities and facilities that provide residential beds for clients’ children.
The updated directory is a paper-based complement to SAMHSA’s Internet-based Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator Service. The Internet service, which is continuously updated, provides driving directions to the nearest treatment facilities, as well as descriptions of services available, and contact information, including addresses and telephone numbers. By following simple instructions available online through this service, users can locate public and private substance abuse treatment facilities in any state, city or community anywhere in the nation. The direct website link is http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov.
To obtain a free copy of the National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs 2006, contact SAMHSA’s Clearinghouse or call (800) 729-6686.
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Introduction
Here's a typical scenario. At her sister’s wedding, Fiona, who had never been a big drinker, decided to try her first taste of alcohol after weight loss surgery that she recently had done. She had waited 11 months after surgery. Fiona had lost 115 pounds and wasn’t going to deny herself a glass of champagne on such an important day. And wow, did she enjoy that champagne! She sipped on a small drink and laughed the evening away. No big deal.
However, Fiona didn't realize that gastric bypass (weight removal surgery) patients will get drunk more quickly than others. They may have higher blood alcohol levels after drinking smaller quantities of alcohol than people who have not had weight loss surgery.
After weight loss surgery, Fiona had done a pretty good job of changing her eating habits. She almost completely avoided sugar and ate mostly protein and vegetables. She loved her success, but there was a part of her who missed indulging in food. When she tried the champagne, she felt self indulgent and relaxed in a way she hadn't in a long time (in about 11 months, actually).
The following week when Fiona was grocery shopping she decided to pick up a bottle of wine. It would be great to have a small glass before dinner sometimes, she thought. She poured herself a small glass when she got home from the store just to find out how it tasted and to quietly enjoy the pleasurable sensation of having a drink.
Over time, Fiona began to sneak wine during the day. She hid it when her husband commented on her consumption. The behavior of wanting something forbidden, getting it, hiding it, and consuming it in private was so familiar to Fiona from her days of overeating that it was almost a relief to sneak the wine — and she slowly built up the quantity she was drinking.
Thankfully, Fiona was participating in group therapy with a social worker who specialized in weight loss surgery at the time. When one of the other group members shared about getting into a car accident and being arrested for driving drunk, Fiona felt uncomfortable. She had driven to pick up her son from soccer the prior evening after she had a small glass of wine. At the time she knew she was tipsy.
Still, she poured herself more wine when she got home from group and drank it in the basement playroom, because her husband almost never went down there.
Fiona didn’t have to get arrested for drunk driving to really “get” that she had a problem. Everything came to a head when her friend's and her sons found an empty wine bottle in the toy box in the basement. Fiona was completely humiliated.
Embarrassed and ashamed, Fiona called her therapist to talk about what happened, and the therapist referred her to a social worker who specializes in substance abuse.
With the help of the therapist and a support group for substance abusers, Fiona was able to get on the road to recovery quickly.
Fiona simply switched one addiction for another. It’s not uncommon for a person who gives up one addictive behavior to pick up another addictive behavior. Fiona had quit using food as a soothing substance in her life. The alcohol came in and filled that void.
Switching addictions is also demonstrated when a person develops an unhealthy relationship with eating and exercise following weight loss.
Exercise can become a way to compensate for overeating, and can turn into what is called exercise bulimia. It’s not bad to exercise as part of a plan to control one’s weight. But if the overeating becomes excessive, and then is replaced by excessive exercise — that’s a problem. Your physical health can actually be threatened — not to mention your peace of mind.
The other common addiction people switch to is spending. Many weight loss surgery patients get such a kick out of shopping for new clothes that they get a little carried away – and then they get hooked. Having been so burdened by obesity in the past, weight loss surgery patients commonly begin to leave the house more, because they're now physically able to, and they shop more frequently. Shopping can morph into a mood-changing activity, and hence, an addiction.
Several steps can be taken to address the experience of switching addictions:
- Identify your addiction(s), both old and potential new ones, and the extent to which it is (they are) ruling your life.
- Educate yourself about a particular addiction by doing research and talking to professionals who have knowledge and experience in that area.
- Seek out a knowledgeable therapist if you are unable to control your addictive behavior on your own.
- Join a support group that addresses your specific addiction, such as overeaters anonymous, alcoholics anonymous, debtors anonymous, etc.
Remember, addictions are very common and nothing to be ashamed of. But, they are hard to get rid of in isolation. Get help if you are struggling. And keep in mind any addictions left untreated absolutely have a potential to take over your life.
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Introduction
Mrs. Jones, age 76, is unsteady on her feet, has tremors in her hands and is malnourished. She is also forgetful, often disoriented and has difficulty staying on track in a conversation. What do you think her problem is? A variety of medical illnesses come to mind, as well and depression and dementia. What might you think about Mrs. Jones if she were 42-years old and had the same symptoms? If you are like most people, the possibility of an alcohol problem would occur to you in the latter case but not in the former.
The good news is that 60 percent of older people in this country drink very little or not at all. The proportion of people over 65 who have a drinking problem is approximately 10 percent. However, among older people who have chronic health problems or are often seen in medical and health care facilities, the proportion is closer to 50 percent!
It is also true that most cases of alcoholism are overlooked by primary care doctors, regardless of the patient's age. This is particularly likely with older patients. Doctors have little time to ask specific questions that would tease out an alcohol problem, and a senior is unlikely to volunteer the information. Older people may not realize they are drinking too much for their age, or they may be ashamed to bring it up.
Older adults don't metabolize alcohol and other substances as quickly as younger people. Generally, an at risk older drinker is someone who drinks over one to two drinks per day or more than seven to fourteen drinks per week. That is one drink per day for an older woman, and two drinks per day for an older man, recognizing the differences in male and female bodies. And a senior who consumes four or more drinks in 24 hours is biologically in real trouble. One can of beer, one glass of wine, a single shot of spirits or a small glass of sherry: these all equal one drink.
Alcohol is a toxic substance that adversely affects every organ in its path. It damages not only the liver, but the kidneys, the intestines, the stomach, the throat, the mouth and the brain. Problem drinkers increase their risk for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Additionally, alcohol causes loss of calcium and contributes to osteoporosis (the bone disease), and it impairs the body's immune system which helps fight off disease. Weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, metabolic imbalances, insomnia and insensitivity to pain are common side effects of drinking.
Meet Mr. Collins. He is a retired construction worker and lives alone in a downtown apartment. He spends his time watching tv and playing pool or just hanging out with a couple of buddies. Married and divorced twice, he has little contact with his grown children, and his daughter won't trust him with her children.
Worried about chest pains, fainting spells and constipation, he finally goes to a doctor. Mr. Collins tells the doctor he had a tough start in life, had a "mean drunk" for a father. Mr. Collins left home at age 17 to join the army, where he spent time in Vietnam, "seeing and doing some pretty bad things." He also admits he drank and drugged in the army but proudly reports he quit all the drugs himself when he returned to the States.
When asked by the doctor about his drinking now, Mr. Collins says he has cut back a lot over the years, just has a few beers with his pals now and then. He has provided us with a number of red flags for a drinking problem, including family history, past abuse, isolation from family, and medical symptoms.
The good news is that he does not want to "drop dead alone in the apartment", and he would really like to convince the daughter to let him spend time with his grandchildren. A savvy health care professional could help Mr. Collins make the connection between his drinking and his concerns. He may not know how a six pack of beer every couple of days is hurting him.
Or consider Mrs. Carlson, a sixty-year-old homemaker whose busy husband is still practicing law and traveling out of town to give speeches. For years it has been their custom to have a cocktail or two with dinner each night that he is home.
During the past year, she has had difficulty going to sleep at night and has been taking a sedative prescribed by her doctor. She believes taking the sedative along with a few cocktails is helping her get to sleep. Mrs. Carlson's problem with alcohol and medication comes to light after she has some elective surgery.
When in the recovery room, she experiences agitation, an elevated pulse and respiration and nearly has a seizure. No one had thought prior to surgery to ask her if she drank regularly. Now she feels embarrassed and humiliated, and her husband and grown children are shocked to discover that her nightly cocktails have made her a problem drinker.
Approximately one-third of older problem drinkers are like Mrs. Carlson who didn't have an abuse problem earlier in their lives. They generally have good coping skills and good relationships with others, and they are likely to deny or hide the problem. Others are likely to miss it, too.
Once a drinking problem is recognized in an older person, the prognosis for improvement is good, provided the person receives interventions tailored to the needs of older people.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed and tested a brief intervention program specifically designed for use with older Americans experiencing a drug or alcohol problem. This approach relies on what is commonly termed motivational interviewing, with an educational slant.
It is important to Focus on a concern for the person's health and well-being while avoiding the use of accusatory language and labels. It works better to weave questions about alcohol use into a discussion of daily self care, including diet and exercise. The client receives educational materials about the effects of alcohol on the older body and then there is a discussion of the older person's own goals and how drinking might be a barrier.
For Mr. Collins, that means letting him know that most men his age drink considerably less than he, if at all, and expressing genuine concern for the impact of drinking on his health and his inability to see his grandchildren. He decides not to drink on weekends as a start; as a result of his commitment to his decision, he is soon able to visit the grandchildren on Sundays.
To learn more about alcohol and aging, visit the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services web site at www.csat.samhsa.gov or call 1-800-729-6686 to order free literature. And there is a national hotline to help connect older people experiencing alcohol problems with appropriate treatment providers: 1-800-662-4357.
###
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Introduction
Mrs. Jones, age 76, is unsteady on her feet, has tremors in her hands and is malnourished. She is also forgetful, often disoriented and has difficulty staying on track in a conversation. What do you think her problem is? A variety of medical illnesses come to mind, as well and depression and dementia. What might you think about Mrs. Jones if she were 42-years old and had the same symptoms? If you are like most people, the possibility of an alcohol problem would occur to you in the latter case but not in the former.
The good news is that 60 percent of older people in this country drink very little or not at all. The proportion of people over 65 who have a drinking problem is approximately 10 percent. However, among older people who have chronic health problems or are often seen in medical and health care facilities, the proportion is closer to 50 percent!
It is also true that most cases of alcoholism are overlooked by primary care doctors, regardless of the patient's age. This is particularly likely with older patients. Doctors have little time to ask specific questions that would tease out an alcohol problem, and a senior is unlikely to volunteer the information. Older people may not realize they are drinking too much for their age, or they may be ashamed to bring it up.
Older adults don't metabolize alcohol and other substances as quickly as younger people. Generally, an at risk older drinker is someone who drinks over one to two drinks per day or more than seven to fourteen drinks per week. That is one drink per day for an older woman, and two drinks per day for an older man, recognizing the differences in male and female bodies. And a senior who consumes four or more drinks in 24 hours is biologically in real trouble. One can of beer, one glass of wine, a single shot of spirits or a small glass of sherry: these all equal one drink.
Alcohol is a toxic substance that adversely affects every organ in its path. It damages not only the liver, but the kidneys, the intestines, the stomach, the throat, the mouth and the brain. Problem drinkers increase their risk for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Additionally, alcohol causes loss of calcium and contributes to osteoporosis (the bone disease), and it impairs the body's immune system which helps fight off disease. Weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, metabolic imbalances, insomnia and insensitivity to pain are common side effects of drinking.
Meet Mr. Collins. He is a retired construction worker and lives alone in a downtown apartment. He spends his time watching tv and playing pool or just hanging out with a couple of buddies. Married and divorced twice, he has little contact with his grown children, and his daughter won't trust him with her children.
Worried about chest pains, fainting spells and constipation, he finally goes to a doctor. Mr. Collins tells the doctor he had a tough start in life, had a "mean drunk" for a father. Mr. Collins left home at age 17 to join the army, where he spent time in Vietnam, "seeing and doing some pretty bad things." He also admits he drank and drugged in the army but proudly reports he quit all the drugs himself when he returned to the States.
When asked by the doctor about his drinking now, Mr. Collins says he has cut back a lot over the years, just has a few beers with his pals now and then. He has provided us with a number of red flags for a drinking problem, including family history, past abuse, isolation from family, and medical symptoms.
The good news is that he does not want to "drop dead alone in the apartment", and he would really like to convince the daughter to let him spend time with his grandchildren. A savvy health care professional could help Mr. Collins make the connection between his drinking and his concerns. He may not know how a six pack of beer every couple of days is hurting him.
Or consider Mrs. Carlson, a sixty-year-old homemaker whose busy husband is still practicing law and traveling out of town to give speeches. For years it has been their custom to have a cocktail or two with dinner each night that he is home.
During the past year, she has had difficulty going to sleep at night and has been taking a sedative prescribed by her doctor. She believes taking the sedative along with a few cocktails is helping her get to sleep. Mrs. Carlson's problem with alcohol and medication comes to light after she has some elective surgery.
When in the recovery room, she experiences agitation, an elevated pulse and respiration and nearly has a seizure. No one had thought prior to surgery to ask her if she drank regularly. Now she feels embarrassed and humiliated, and her husband and grown children are shocked to discover that her nightly cocktails have made her a problem drinker.
Approximately one-third of older problem drinkers are like Mrs. Carlson who didn't have an abuse problem earlier in their lives. They generally have good coping skills and good relationships with others, and they are likely to deny or hide the problem. Others are likely to miss it, too.
Once a drinking problem is recognized in an older person, the prognosis for improvement is good, provided the person receives interventions tailored to the needs of older people.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed and tested a brief intervention program specifically designed for use with older Americans experiencing a drug or alcohol problem. This approach relies on what is commonly termed motivational interviewing, with an educational slant.
It is important to Focus on a concern for the person's health and well-being while avoiding the use of accusatory language and labels. It works better to weave questions about alcohol use into a discussion of daily self care, including diet and exercise. The client receives educational materials about the effects of alcohol on the older body and then there is a discussion of the older person's own goals and how drinking might be a barrier.
For Mr. Collins, that means letting him know that most men his age drink considerably less than he, if at all, and expressing genuine concern for the impact of drinking on his health and his inability to see his grandchildren. He decides not to drink on weekends as a start; as a result of his commitment to his decision, he is soon able to visit the grandchildren on Sundays.
To learn more about alcohol and aging, visit the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services web site at www.csat.samhsa.gov or call 1-800-729-6686 to order free literature. And there is a national hotline to help connect older people experiencing alcohol problems with appropriate treatment providers: 1-800-662-4357.
###
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Introduction
Nineteen million (or eight percent) of Americans could benefit from treatment for “an alcohol problem.” Although 2.4 million people are diagnosed with alcoholism, only 139,000 of them receive treatment with medications.
The most common form of treatment for alcoholism consists of group and/or individual therapy, including community self-help programs. Treatment can often be time consuming. For example, individuals are often encouraged to go to 90 meetings in 90 days or they are involved in structured group therapy three to five days per week at two to three hours per day. Often, people want to know, "Isn’t there a pill that can fix the addiction to alcohol?" Unfortunately, there is not a pill that can cure the addiction, but there are medications that can perhaps make it easier to effectively participate in treatment.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only three drugs in the past 55 years to treat alcoholism. Each of these drugs acts differently in the body to interrupt the addiction process. They are Antabuse, ReVia, and Campral.
For those with an alcohol problem, the oldest medication thought to “cure” the disease is Antabuse (disulfiram). Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories Division first marketed Antabuse in 1948. This drug causes many unpleasant effects when the individual consumes alcohol, even in small amounts. The effects can range from facial flushing, headache and mild nausea to severe vomiting and increased blood pressure and heart rate.
The expectation is that as a person associates these negative symptoms with drinking, the individual will be less likely to want to drink another time. Usually, the threat of becoming ill after a drink of alcohol will deter most motivated people. However, the effectiveness of the drug depends mostly on the individual’s motivation for remaining abstinent.
While Antabuse will build up in the person’s system those who choose to resume drinking will simply stop taking the medication for a few days prior to consuming alcohol.
Another problem is that people have reported experiencing very mild reactions with the use of mouthwash that has a percentage of alcohol in it, foods with vinegar like salad dressings and ketchup, and certain colognes and aftershave. Your doctor should talk to you about what is best to avoid and what to experiment with in terms of over-the-counter products and medicines.
Antabuse should not be prescribed for people with cirrhosis or other chronic medical conditions, including heart disease or diabetes. Let your doctor make this decision. This drug should also not be prescribed for people over 60 years of age. Severe reactions to Antabuse have included heart attacks, and some cases have even resulted in death.
The FDA approved the use of ReVia (naltrexone) in December 1994 for the treatment of alcoholism. It was initially marketed by DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical company for treating narcotic dependency. ReVia blocks the parts of the brain that experience pleasure from drug/alcohol use.
Studies began to show that when used to assist with treating alcoholism, the drug helped to decrease cravings and relapse when it was used over a period of three to six months. The success of the drug, however, is likely dependent on a person's simultaneous involvement in a structured treatment program that can educate them on addiction, recovery, and relapse prevention behaviors.
The studies on ReVia and alcoholism treatment all occurred in settings that combined psychotherapy and psycho-education with the medication. Therefore, the FDA approved ReVia for alcoholism only as an adjunct to traditional supportive therapy. According to the FDA, “This drug is non-addictive but can cause liver toxicity if prescribed at doses higher than recommended.
ReVia is not recommended for people with active hepatitis and other liver diseases (www.fda.gov).” Side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and insomnia. This is a daily medication to be taken orally; however, a long-acting injection is being developed.
Campral (acamprosate) is the newest drug approved by the FDA to assist with alcohol abstinence. It was approved in July 2004 for marketing and distribution by Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Though the exact workings of the drug are not understood, it is believed that Campral can restore imbalanced brain chemicals to a normal balance, thereby reducing cravings and thus relapses.
Campral is prescribed once someone has made the decision to remain abstinent and he/she is currently alcohol-free. The medication is most effective when combined with a structured treatment program that can teach relapse prevention skills, or provides social support, such as community self-help groups.
Campral has been used in Europe for over 10 years and has been shown to be useful for individuals with mild to moderate liver problems. Side effects have been reported as diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, gas, and itching. The most common side effect, diarrhea, usually resolves with time.
In all cases, a primary care physician or psychiatrist can prescribe and monitor the medications. Also, in all cases the recommendation is to use medication as a part of a comprehensive plan for treating addiction. The person with an alcohol problem should be willing to participate in some sort of supportive treatment program, ranging from community self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous / Narcotics Anonymous, Rational Recovery, etc, to a structured treatment program involving a combination of group and individual therapy and education. Recovering from addiction involves a lifestyle change. The medications can only assist in making the changes easier by reducing cravings and/or drinking behaviors so that you can focus on recovery.
Sources and Recommended Websites:
www.addictionrecoveryguide.org
www.fda.gov
www.medscape.com
www.niaaa.nih.gov
www.nida.nih.gov
Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Campral Brochure. 2005.
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About Alcohol and Drug Addictions
Addiction is a misunderstood and common problem. According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 21.6 million individuals in the U.S. fit the diagnosis for substance dependence or abuse, which is over 9 percent of the population age 12 or older. At the same time, many people who wonder if they have a problem with drugs or alcohol feel alone and even ashamed, and this is often an obstacle to getting help.
There are a number of ways to define addiction. One of the simplest is to look at whether use of alcohol or other drugs has continued after it has led to problems. Problems can include difficulties in relationships with family and others. People may also be experiencing financial problems, health, legal, or job problems.
There may be risks that have not yet resulted in consequences, but are dangerous to be taking. There may be losses, such as money spent on drugs instead of home or vacation, or time spent obtaining, using or recovering from use of drugs or alcohol instead of investing in job, education, or relationships.
The next step is to look at how many of these areas of life have been affected, and how seriously. The idea is to look at the relationship the person has with alcohol or other drugs as we assess whether that person has a problem.
A substance abuse or dependency problem is more obvious when a person is using alcohol or drugs in order to feel normal, get through responsibilities or activities that he finds difficult, or if alcohol or drugs are needed in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
It is important to know that the symptoms of addiction can arise slowly over time in a person's life. For many, these symptoms increase in amount and severity over time, resulting in losses in several areas of life, and, all too often, in alcohol or drug related death. This is all the more reason to consult a professional if there is concern.
If an individual thinks he may have a problem and consults with an addictions professional, he will first go through an assessment to establish whether there is a problem and, if so, get an objective picture of that problem. Talking with a professional provides a link to the many resources and supports available for those dealing with substance abuse.
A program of treatment, rather than individual counseling only, is the most typical way an active addiction is addressed. Participants receive a number of supports.
- Health education and psychological counseling. The goal here is to increase understanding of the health consequences of continued use. In addition, people learn how the addictions process happens and the biological reasons why getting free of alcohol and drugs is so challenging. In order to treat an addiction, it is vital to understand the physical and psychological reasons why consistent support and hard work is necessary.
- Group support. Due to the psychology of addiction, people are greatly helped by participation in treatment groups which are run by addictions professionals including social workers. There they see that their experiences and struggles are not unique and they can be more honest about the nature of their difficulties.
- Individual counseling and resource referral. People in treatment work with a counselor with whom they set treatment goals, track progress and address obstacles. Counselors also help their clients find resources to address life areas that may have been affected by drug or alcohol use, such as job training and placement, education or family counseling.
- Self-help. People who participate in self-help programs, such as 12-Step programs, have greater success living without drugs or alcohol. Self-help groups are run by people in recovery from addiction who serve as volunteers, and the goal is mutual support rather than treatment. While in treatment, people are educated on the benefits of self-help and are supported as they establish an effective connection to a self-help meeting.
If an individual enters treatment, his success is far more likely if family members are willing to learn about addiction and recovery. Addictions professionals welcome family involvement and will guide family members in the best ways to help their loved one, including attendance at Al Anon or Nar Anon meetings.
If there is addiction or substance abuse in the family and the troubled individual is not ready to get help for himself, it is important for family members to seek their own support. Substance abuse has a tremendous impact on family members and they deserve assistance in dealing with this painful issue. Help can be obtained at a treatment center or with a qualified therapist.
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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Association of Social Workers or its members.
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Introduction
Each year, drug and alcohol abuse contributes to the deaths of more than 120,000 Americans. Substance abuse costs taxpayers in excess of $294 billion each year in preventable health care costs, extra law enforcement, auto accidents, crime, and lost productivity.
An estimated 9 percent of the American population was dependent on or an abuser of substances in 2003. Nearly 15 million people were dependent on alcohol (1 in 13); nearly 4 million were addicted to illicit drugs; and 3 million were abusers of both drugs and alcohol.
Males are twice as likely as females to abuse or become dependent on substances except for the population of ages 12 to 17, when the abuse rates are nearly equal. The highest rate of substance abuse is in the age 18 to 25 population.
- Alcoholism lasts a lifetime and cannot be cured. However, it can be treated. A 2001-2002 survey showed that 36 percent of adults with alcohol dependence that began more than one year ago are now in full recovery.
- Alcohol problems are highest among young adults and lowest among adults over age 65.
- Teenagers who start drinking at age 14 or younger greatly increase their chances that they will develop alcohol problems at some point in their lives.
- Use of marijuana, LSD, methamphetamines, anabolic steroids, and cigarettes decreased significantly among high school students from 2003 to 2004, according to a National Institute on Drug Abuse study. However, abuse of inhalants increased for the second year. A single session of repeated inhalant abuse can disrupt heart rhythms and cause death from cardiac arrest or lowered oxygen levels that induce suffocation.
- Abuse of alcohol, heroin, crack cocaine, tranquilizers, and sedatives remained stable among teenagers from 2003 to 2004.
- Among adults, heroine is the substance of choice for 57 percent of substance abusers. Nearly 25 percent of users are dependent on cocaine, and 19 percent are addicted to sedatives.
- Prescription drug abuse is on the rise in the United States, particularly among older adults, teenagers, and women. An estimated 47 million Americans have used prescription drugs nonmedically during their lifetimes, and 15 million have done so in the past year.
- Women are more likely than men to be prescribed abusable prescriptions, particularly narcotics and anti-anxiety drugs. Women are also more likely to become addicted to sedatives, anti-anxiety drugs, and hypnotics.
- An increasing number of patients are treated in hospital emergency rooms and substance abuse treatment centers for nonmedical use of prescription drugs.
- Prescription drugs are often used in combination with other medications, illegal drugs, or alcohol. Reported combinations include potentially life-threatening mixtures of depressants and alcohol.
- The three classes of prescription drugs most commonly abused include narcotic analgesics used to treat pain, depressants for anxiety and sleep disorders, and stimulants.
- Vicodin is the drug of choice among high school seniors and OxyContin is the second most often abused prescription drug. Students who have used one of these drugs for nonmedical purposes are likely to use other drugs as well.
- Drug addiction is treatable with behavioral and medication therapies. Counseling, psychotherapy, support groups, and family therapy are often used. Medications block the effects of drugs and reduce drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- In general, the more treatment given, the better the results. Medication therapies alone are not as effective as when combined with counseling. Likewise, patients who stay in treatment for three months or longer have better outcomes than those who are in treatment for a shorter period of time.
- The best drug treatment programs provide a combination of therapies and services, such as drug education, case management, and counseling.
- In 2003, 3.3 million Americans over age 12 received treatment for drug dependency. More than half participated in a self-help group. Drug abusers find assistance and treatment at rehabilitation facilities, mental health centers, hospitals, private doctor's offices, emergency rooms, and jails.
- Research shows that even the most severely addicted individuals can actively participate in treatment.
Sources:
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Tags: addiction, alcohol, alcoholism, dependency, drug addiction, prescription drugs, treatment, trends
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Addictions, Current Trends |
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