• ASITRD
  • Blog
  • May 9, 2018

Facts About Opioid Abuse

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]With a history that stems back to ancient times, opioid use or misuse is by no means a new occurrence. At A Step in the Right Direction, we’re more familiar with the recent opioid abuse epidemic that’s sweeping across the United States. From prescription painkillers to illegal narcotics such as heroin, opioids come in multiple forms. As a team working at a JCAHO accredited treatment center, we believe understanding a few facts about opioid addiction can help you or a loved one work toward recovery.

Opioids come in prescription forms and create pleasurable effects that make them addictive

Many of the opioids that cause addictions come in the form of a seemingly harmless prescription. Although many people can take painkillers without experiencing addictive effects, when they do rely on opioids to feel a certain way, the consequences can become devastating. For example, the medication codeine converts into morphine via the liver, which then produces chemical effects that are similar to endorphin release. Codeine is a common prescription drug and there are lots of other medications a doctor may prescribe that have similar effects:

  • Oxycodone
  • Fentanyl
  • Morphine
  • Diphenoxylate
  • Meperidine
  • And more

Unfortunately, for those who form an addiction to the drugs above, the body can rapidly adapt to their pleasure-creating effects. As a result, they may begin to take more, placing them at risk of overdose, making them a danger while driving, or even causing death.

Statistics show that opioid addiction is more common than you think

In 2015, statistics showed that over two-million Americans had a substance abuse disorder involving prescription painkillers. Additionally, 591,000 suffered from a heroin addiction.

At A Step in the Right Direction, we understand that the ease of access to opioids and the effects they have can lead patients into a dangerous pattern. We try to understand why a person develops an addiction before using a multi-disciplinary team to create a bespoke plan that helps them develop better coping mechanisms. Such plans can involve creating better pain-management strategies. We believe our approach is how we became recgonized and awarded as a JCAHO accredited treatment center.

Heroin addictions are on the rise

While reversing the consequences of an opioid overdose using a drug called Naloxone is easy when performed in a timely manner, limiting the number of heroin addictions isn’t as simple. Unfortunately, some of the drugs used to wean heroin addicts away from opioids are opioids themselves. Methadone, for example.

Evidence shows that heroin addictions and overdoses are on the rise, which is why we like to take a unique approach to helping our patients recover. Each member of our team understands that it’s necessary to dig into an individual’s addictive behaviors before trying to treat them. With our patient-centered approach, you or your loved one have a stronger chance of rebuilding your life free from opioids.

To find out more about whether you are suffering from an opioid addiction or how we can help, contact us.
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  • ASITRD
  • Blog
  • May 9, 2018

Facts About Alcoholism

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Alcoholism is a disease that many associate with degenerative behavior. In fact, people from all walks of life can become an alcoholic, and the reasons for their condition developing are often multi-factorial.

As one of the few JCAHO certified alcohol treatment facilities in the U.S., our team of clinicians believes that broadening the public’s view of alcoholism is essential. Why? Because when you have a clearer understanding of facts about alcoholism, you’ll have an easier time helping yourself and those you love.

Alcoholism affects a significant proportion of Americans and most are male

Around 7.2 percent of Americans suffer from a disorder that involves abusing alcohol. When you focus on the male population only, that figure rises to 9.9 percent. While such statistics might seem staggering to some, to us they suggest two things:

  • If you’re struggling to recover from alcoholism, you’re not alone
  • Alcohol abuse is a disorder that’s far-reaching and requires a lot of society’s attention

Having an alcohol addiction is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality

When most people think about the conditions that can cause deaths and disabilities to rise in the U.S., they may consider heart disease, cancer, and other words you’re more likely to hear in the news. Few, however, will see the following statistics:

  • Excessive drinking directly results in 88,000 deaths per year
  • Among lifestyle-related mortality causes, alcoholism is the third biggest
  • Around 40 percent of U.S. hospital beds are occupied by those requiring treatment for a disease caused or exacerbated by alcohol

At our recovery center, we realize that the journey towards recovery is one that should remain bespoke. When we see the statistics above, our clinicians recognize they should come together to create patient-centered treatment plans for each person who walks through our doors. By taking such an approach, we hope to lower the number of alcohol-related deaths and disabilities in America. Our JCAHO Accreditation shows how we’re capable of taking patient-centered approaches to promote recovery.

Short-term alcohol abuse can cause as much harm as long-term

When most people think about the far-reaching consequences of heavy drinking, they reflect upon years of consuming too much alcohol. As a potent substance, alcohol has the potential to cause short-term consequences that have lifelong effects. For example:

  • Small volumes lead to slower decision making and visual disturbances, which increase your risk of falls and roadside accidents
  • Moderate volumes may leave you feeling confused to the extent that you’re vulnerable, and you may experience an inability to walk straight, nausea and vomiting
  • Large volumes can result in reckless decision making, a dangerously low heart rate, coma, or death

If you or someone you love consistently abuses alcohol in the short-term, but you don’t feel as though you, or they, can stop to achieve long-term health, you may need professional support. Again, as a caring team, we have a strong understanding of the facts about alcohol. Using a combination of medical and psychological therapies, our customized programs will help you recover and stay sober.

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