Substance abuse issues are considered a public health problem, not only in the United States but across the world. The World Health Organization considers substance abuse as a priority which should be addressed at different levels. Substance abuse not only includes the use of illicit drugs but also covers the use of alcohol and other harmful substances which could lead to heightened dependency levels in the user.
Just to illustrate the global prevalence rate of substance abuse, the WHO estimates that 1 in 20 adults have used an illicit drug in 2010, which includes cannabis, amphetamines, cocaine, and opioids. This brings drug usage numbers at a quarter of a billion all over the world. These numbers only reflect drug use data. For alcohol use, the health organization estimates a death toll of 3.3 million per year all over the world.
Health, Safety & Economic Costs
Substance abuse, as a result of drug, alcohol or tobacco dependency, impacts the economy in many ways. Collectively, the costs incurred by substance abuse amount to billions of dollars per year. These resources are wasted as a result of lost productivity at work, crimes inflicted against other people and property, among other factors.
The abovementioned figures do not include the impact of substance abuse to the individual. Those who are using illicit substances typically suffer from a number of health conditions. In many cases, these individuals also suffer from a host of social problems that affect their daily interaction with their family members and community.
Addressing Substance Abuse Through Rehabilitation
A drug rehab center typically offers a well-rounded set of interventions for those who are suffering from a substance abuse problem. These essential interventions include treatment and counseling for the individual and often starts with detoxification and assessment. These two are essential steps toward treatment since it aids in identifying and removing any toxic substances in the system and helps the individual deal with any withdrawal effects.
Depending on the treatment requirements of the individual, accelerated or extended programs may be offered by the center. There are also outpatient programs for those who prefer to undergo treatment while at home. These programs are often customized and combined with counseling and other forms of support.
Counselling and Support
To ensure continuity of the recovery process, counseling programs are also implemented to help the individual cope with the challenges of conquering addiction. These counseling sessions may also involve members of the immediate family. This is to ensure the individual has a support group to help him or her go through full recovery.
The goal of rehabilitation is to transform lives affected by substance abuse. Rehabilitation centers have trained staff on board to assist those with drug and alcohol dependency issues. Rehab programs address different aspects of the recovery process, not just one component. This ensures a holistic treatment program that would enable those undergoing recovery to take back their life. Full recovery also positively impacts the community, in general, when rehabilitation allows the individual to fully participate as a productive member of the community.