How Many People Seek Treatment?

  Millions of people struggle with addiction, but the number of those who seek treatment is small, according to a report published by the surgeon general. While one in seven people in the United States is at risk of developing a substance use disorder like alcoholism or drug abuse, only one in 10 will ever receive treatment. Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the former U.S. surgeon general, explained that these figures call for a change in public perception. The way we view addiction is harmful to people who find themselves struggling to control their substance use. Many suffer in silence while others face harsh rejection and backlash from their family and friends. As addiction robs a person of their work, relationships, and self-esteem, people become trapped in a vicious cycle that is only ridiculed and judged from outsiders. Stigma in mental health has prevented millions of people from seeking treatment for a variety of psychological conditions, including substance use disorder. Dr. Murthy stresses in his report that people must begin to look at substance abuse through a new lens. He implores people to address addiction “not as a moral failing but as a chronic illness that must be treated with skill, urgency, and compassion.” He goes on to say that the “way that we address this crisis is a test for America.”

Addiction Is a Growing Problem in America

The 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that 28.6 million Americans age 12 and above used illicit drugs in the prior month. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration runs an annual study of around 70,000 people to assess the trending behaviors and usage patterns among Americans. Cannabis, cocaine, and tobacco are used and abused worldwide, but the United States has the highest usage levels of illegal drugs. Now, prescription medication can be added to the list. In 2018, more than 130 people overdosed every day on an opioid drug. In 2017, opioid addiction in the United States was declared an official public health emergency by the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Along with the announcement, the HHS released a five-point strategy to tackle the opioid epidemic. President Obama had previously pleaded with Congress for $1 billion to treat the crisis, but ultimately, only $181 million was given toward the cause. The lack of resources and funding for rehabilitation and addiction treatment in the U.S. fortifies pre-existing barriers to treatment. The report by the surgeon general is an attempt to ignite public interest, spread awareness and challenge stigmas that reinforce the addiction cycle and leave people struggling alone and ashamed. While previous reports in the 1950s and 1960s resulted in lower rates of tobacco users, public health professionals and politicians worry that the new report will not have as great of an impact. Perhaps this is due to the fact that drug abuse is so personal and often linked to other disorders. Co-occurring psychological disorders put people at a higher risk of abusing drugs or alcohol. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration explores the connection between substance use disorder, depression, and anxiety in various settings to make stronger links between illegal activity, poverty, and homelessness. This illustrates the complexity of addiction and highlights why it is a difficult problem to address from any singular perspective. The report from the surgeon general is a step in the right direction. In order for more people to seek treatment, however, we first have to understand what causes someone to become addicted and how rehab can help.

What Leads to Addiction?

Alcoholism and drug abuse are both types of substance use disorders. While these can develop on their own, many people who become addicted to drugs or alcohol also suffer from mental illness or emotional trauma. The decision to take drugs is often driven by emotional and mental forces, but substance use disorder creates biological changes in the brain that make recovery difficult. Addiction provides an outlet for troublesome thoughts and painful feelings. Drug and alcohol abuse change the functionality of the brain’s reward system by triggering high amounts of dopamine. As people continually use a substance, they require greater amounts to feel the same euphoric sense of relief. The buildup leads to tolerance, so people may use copious amounts of their preferred substance to feel even a fraction of what they used to. This tolerance and overwhelming desire for the feeling of euphoria and calm kick off the cycle of addiction. How exactly do people lose themselves? Millions of Americans struggle with substance use disorder, but no one ever seems to think they will let themselves get wrapped up in addiction.

The Primary Risk Factors for Addiction

Why can some people drink socially their entire lives and never develop a problem while others succumb to addiction in only a matter of months? The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) outlines the main reasons why people get addicted to drugs and alcohol. Risk factors can be internal or external. People who grow up in certain environments or suffer from mental health issues are more likely to become addicts. NIDA lists six primary risk factors for drug misuse:

• Aggressive behavior in childhood
• Lack of supervision or involvement from parents
• Poor social skills, including isolation and lack of friends or a healthy support system
• A desire to experiment with drugs and their effects
• Drugs offered at a school
• Growing up in a poverty-stricken community

Some people are naturally prone to be risk-takers, but certain environmental triggers can cause those individuals to experiment with dangerous substances that lead to addiction. Others may grow up in an abusive environment or struggle financially. The stress of poverty often leads to higher rates of domestic abuse, lack of education and increased feelings of depression. In order to escape their negative feelings or get a break from reality, people may turn to drugs and alcohol. Certain biological factors can also increase a person’s likelihood of developing an addiction. Scientific evidence suggests that 40 to 60 percent of a person’s risk of addiction can be attributed to their genetic makeup. A large part of recovery treatment is focused on tracing the origins of a person’s problem and identifying the underlying emotional causes. Understanding how a person’s past influenced their current state allows them to gain clarity and a deeper understanding of their own emotions.

How Treatment Can Help

You may have heard remarkable stories of heroin addicts living on the street and quitting cold turkey. While some people may be able to just stop abusing drugs without any help, that isn’t the case for most. Drug abuse recovery often requires months of counseling and skills building to help people to cope with their problems in healthier ways. Before they can start that, though, they must undergo the withdrawal and detoxification process that removes all traces of drugs from their system and gives their body a clean start. Once a person no longer has the influence of any substances in their system, they’re able to start tackling the roots of their problem. Inpatient and outpatient rehab programs are designed to guide people through a series of steps to recovery. No one becomes sober overnight, and there are often many complications and triggers that can tempt someone to return to their old ways. Treatments for drug abuse and alcoholism teach people about themselves and equip them with the knowledge and confidence they need to confront challenges on their own. For people who come from environments that encourage or facilitate drug abuse, it can be a challenge to even get help in the first place. Many people who need a clean break from their environment check themselves into residential rehab facilities. For those who are leaving an inpatient program, many rehabs offer transitional housing. These housing arrangements provide a safe space for recovering addicts to gain emotional support from fellow patients and learn to live a life of sobriety free from temptation and triggers.

What Are the Greatest Barriers to Treatment?

In an ideal world, anyone with a drug problem would be able to check themselves into rehab and get clean without a problem. Unfortunately, many things can prevent someone from reaching out and getting the help they need. The surgeon general’s report acknowledges one of the biggest barriers: stigma. Both public perception and personal feelings about drug abuse and rehab prevent many suffering addicts from ever being able to obtain treatment. Family members may blame someone for their problem and tell them to fix it on their own. Often, people are too ashamed to admit they even have a problem to acknowledge that they need help getting better. Several common barriers stop people from going to rehab. They include the cost of treatment and an unwillingness to stop using. Other people worry about how going to rehab will affect their work while others simply don’t know how to get help. The statistics show that most people are open to the idea of recovery but feel as if they don’t have the right resources or the ability to seek treatment. Cost, stigma, and a lack of accessibility and knowledge are the top challenges for people in the rehab industry. While the surgeon general’s report calls for greater awareness and public action, many of the underlying barriers to treatment won’t be changed by a single report. In order for change to take place, people have to become more aware of themselves and find alternative avenues to recovery. Many facilities offer financing options to people who are uninsured or can’t afford their copay. Waiting lists for state-funded programs through Medicaid still enable people to visit a doctor and undergo medically supervised detox. There are also many free resources to help treat substance use disorder, including Alcoholics Anonymous and other local 12-step recovery programs.

Looking Forward; The Future of Addiction Treatment

With greater awareness, more people will gain access to lifesaving resources. Treatment programs may still continue to be expensive or inaccessible to some, but the rise of online rehab and tele-counseling can help people even in the most remote parts of the United States receive treatment. Although America still has a long way to go before treatment is accessible to all, there are thousands of private rehabs available. Whether you are seeking help for yourself or a loved one, the first step toward a better life starts with the right resources. As more people seek treatment and share their success stories, drug abuse will no longer be something people have to hide from. Together, both government bodies and everyday citizens can build a society that accepts and aids those in recovery and strives to prevent drug abuse from taking hold of lives in local communities.