Life’s pressures can lead us down the wrong road. To alleviate the stress and strain, sometimes we turn to drugs. And then the problems start — health, family, finances, work. Have you ever wished we could learn how to stop drug abuse?
Public health officials and researchers have been working towards that goal for many years, developing strategies to empower individuals to overcome addiction. Progress has been made, but there is more work to do.
No matter the solution, the first step is clear: Admitting a problem. That will unlock the answer to the question of how to stop drug abuse.
The Extent of Drug Abuse
Substance abuse of illicit drugs, alcohol, and prescription pain relievers, remains a significant problem. An estimated 20 million people struggled with a substance abuse disorder in 2018, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
The most commonly abused substance was alcohol, followed by marijuana and other illicit drugs. Some people struggle with both alcohol and substance abuse issues. More men than women tend to abuse drugs, as do younger populations (18-to-25-year-olds) over older generations.
In recent years, heroin and other opioids have become the focus in the push to learn how to stop drug abuse.
Why Drug Abuse is Harmful
The abuse of drugs scars society. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that the cost of substance abuse in the United States is more than $750 billion annually. For the individual, the biggest immediate risk is to your health – people who abuse drugs are at risk of severe cardiovascular problems, including stroke, but also cancer and lung disease. The chances of injury or death from overdose are high. A high rate of absenteeism from work and school damages productivity. Problems with crime drive up the cost of law enforcement and the courts.
Other specific problems tied to drug abuse include:
- Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
- Domestic violence
- Child abuse
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Suicide
As we continue to learn how to stop drug abuse, the costs inevitably will come down. But it’s a slow process.
How to Stop Drug Abuse
No pill or other magic elixir holds the key in how to stop drug abuse. You, as an individual, hold the key, once you recognize there is a problem and commit to change through treatment and rehab counseling.
The path to stopping drug abuse starts with a thorough and comprehensive assessment, where clinical professionals will work to understand your history. Then you’ll work together on a treatment plan involving individual, group, and/or family counseling. If the case warrants, you may also be treated by medication.
Treatment programs could be on an inpatient or outpatient basis, depending on the severity of the problem. Follow-up care is also crucial. Drug abuse is a disease, and like all diseases, it can recur. Aftercare reduces the risk of relapse.
Reclaiming Your Life at Right Step
Putting an end to drug abuse is the biggest challenge you will ever face. But you can’t do it alone. The right answer to how to stop drug abuse is to seek professional help. And our caring professional staff at Right Step Houston is ready to assist. We provide a full set of professional services for drug abuse, including medical drug detox, inpatient drug rehab, addiction therapy programs, and aftercare programs aimed at preventing relapse. We provide group and individual counseling and therapy in a home-like setting on both an inpatient and outpatient basis, with a focus on empowering recovery approaches and developing coping skills. Contact us 1.844.768.0169 today to schedule a confidential assessment.