Updated: Jul 2, 2023
Raw Eggs? Cold Turkey? Why at-home treatments are ineffective and costly.
In this article, we uncover the truth behind what substance abuse disorder really is, why at-home treatments simply won't work, and where to find the right help.
According to SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, nearly 20 million people are affected by substance abuse disorder, with some as young as 12. This disorder is characterized by an unrelenting need to use a substance, despite its negative effects on physical, mental, or emotional health- not to mention the toll it takes on your family and loved ones. When the patient becomes ill, jobless, or could potentially harm themselves or others, it's called an addiction.
Addiction can come in many forms, and substance abuse may look different to different people. No matter what the object is, dependency is a serious issue, and overcoming it is even more of a challenge.
Can't I just detox at home?
Being addicted to a substance isn't just an emotional craving- it's way more complex than that. Chemical dependency, learned behavior, genetics, or even unhealthy coping skills all combine to create this concoction of destruction. Just as there isn't one specific reason why someone is addicted, neither is the treatment. To assume you could try stopping out of the blue is naive and could result in serious or life-threatening health consequences.
Am I Addicted? → click here (Click on the link, and we'll email you a free quiz)
Is Rehab the only kind of Substance Abuse Treatment?
Effective and successful substance abuse treatment comes in many forms.
The three main categories are:
Inpatient - the patient is admitted to a facility to undergo a week to two-month program that includes Medical Detox, Medication Management, or Sober Living Housing.
Outpatient - the patient remains at home but visits the facility daily or weekly to receive Medication-assisted Treatment, Social/Legal Services, or Occupational or Recreational Therapy.
Behavior Therapy - in conjunction with a facility, the patient will attend Individual, Group, or Family Therapy to discover why they misuse substances as well as develop coping skills to reach recovery. Types of therapy proven successful
in addiction treatment are Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing( EMDR), or Motivational Interviewing.
How Can I Find A Support Group?
Caravan on the road to recovery.
Building a strong network of peers, friends, and family members aid in the continual growth and betterment of the patient. Surrounding yourself with positive people that are available to actively listen, offer advice, or be the point of contact in a crisis situation increases the chances of recovery and decreases the chances of relapse.
Whether you choose a faith-based program, a national helpline, or a local Facebook group, substance abuse support groups are essential for building self-worth and gaining strength to recover.
Resources available:
When Do I Need Professional Help?
What is normal, and when its a problem?
Let's start with the definition of a drug user–a person who consumes substances regularly. Under this definition, many people can relate. You can consume legal or illegal mind-altering substances and would not meet the criteria of one who has a substance abuse problem. The time to be concerned is when the substance you are taking is starting to decrease the quality of your life. An example of this threshold would be when drug use negatively influences your work, school, relationships, or all of the above.
Take the next step.
Connect with what you learned about our approach, schedule a free consult today, and learn how to start building a plan that will work for you.
