How do you know if you're addicted to drugs, when is treatment necessary and how can you choose the right treatment program for you? We have the answers.
Drug use continues to be a huge problem in the U.S. In 2004, nearly 23 million Americans were addicted. In 2007, nearly 20 percent of adults polled admitted to using illicit drugs in the past month, according to the National Survey On Drug Use and Health done by the Office of Applied Studies at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Drug Abuse Dangers
In the second half of 2003 alone there were 627,923 drug-related emergency room visits nationwide. Drugs involved included illicit drugs and inhalants, alcohol, prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements and nonpharmaceutical inhalants. Nearly half of those drug-related ER visits involved alcohol or a major illicit drug, SAMHSA estimates.
More than 19,000 people died of drug-induced causes in the U.S. in 1999, which breaks down to roughly one drug death every 30 minutes nationally.
Drug Abuse Costs
Drug abuse doesn't just cost the lives of those who use, we all pay the price. The economic cost to U.S. society of drug abuse was an estimated $97.7 billion in 1992, according to recent calculations reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The new cost estimate continues a pattern of strong and steady increase since 1975, when the first of five previous cost estimates was made. The current estimate is 50 percent higher than the most recent previous estimate - which was made for 1985 - even after adjustment for population growth and inflation.
The parallel cost to society for alcohol abuse was estimated at $148 billion, bringing the total cost for substance abuse in 1992 to $246 billion. This total represents a cost of $965 for every person in the United States in 1992. The per-person cost for drug abuse alone was $383.
When to Intervene
Someone with a substance abuse problem is usually reluctant to acknowledge the struggle they're going through, especially when confronted. That's why professional interventionists or substance abuse counselors may instead focus on convincing the person with the potential problem (the “identified person” in professional parlance) to simply agree to a professional evaluation.
It doesn't have the drama of a televised intervention, but it may just be more likely to lead to long-term recovery. True, loved ones may have the most complete picture of what's going on, but that image is clouded by emotions that rise to the surface during conversations about getting treatment for drug or alcohol dependency. That's why it's a good idea to bring in a pro who can calmly communicate to the identified person that the people who love him or her most are concerned that there's a problem.
Drug Rehab At La Paloma
You don't want to trust your recovery to just anyone. La Paloma Treatment Center's staff is experienced in drug addiction. The staff-to-client ratio at La Paloma assures personalized care and the facility uses an integrated treatment approach, dealing not only with the addiction but any mental or emotional conditions that led to substance use in the first place. A newly renovated detox wing is available for those who need it, with medical supervision allowing for the safest possible experience. Length of stay is determined on an individual basis, with the staff choosing the program that allows for the greatest level of long-term success. At La Paloma, continuing care is part of the plan, assuring that recovery is lasting long after you leave us.
Drug Abuse Help
If you or someone you know is in need of treatment for drug addiction, contact La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about the treatment process, financing and logistics.
How do you know if you're addicted to drugs, when is treatment necessary and how can you choose the right treatment program for you? We have the answers.
