Choosing to turn towards drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism is nothing new and can turn a distraction from stress into a lifelong addiction. Drug and alcohol addiction is considered a chronic disease that can plague a problem user for the entire life. While this is cause for concern, it’s important to note that addiction is treatable through concentrated efforts and long-term monitoring.

Understanding How Addiction Happens

Substance addiction impacts nearly 20 million Americans every year with the number continuing to grow. Many studies have shown a direct link between addiction and mental illness, often as a result of more coping methods being sought out by those impacted. Conditions such as anxiety and depression are common drivers behind substance abuse turned addiction, but addiction itself can be passed down from family.

External factors can also rapidly increase the rate in which substance abuse turns into full addiction. Prescription pain killers and mood changers are some of the most frequently abused drugs that started from a legal and controlled scenario. If these medications are not taken exactly per doctor instruction, dependency can form both physically and psychologically.

Cutting Off Addiction

Intervention can help break this cycle of addiction predisposition. When done correctly with compassionate medical professionals in a clinical setting, intervention doesn’t have to be conducted as a huge ordeal as often portrayed in media. Our team at Baystate Recovery Center has flexible outpatient programs designed to provide assistance to those struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol.

Being able to maintain the same schedule and responsibilities is often an important part of the journey to sobriety. The independence maintained by going to work and dropping the kids off at school while seeking treatment helps establish healthier routines and show that the time taken by substance abuse belongs to the patient, not the substance.

Understanding how beneficial this freedom is, Baystate Recovery also has an intensive outpatient program to help accommodate even the busiest schedules. Group and individual treatment sessions are available throughout the week, requiring as little as seven hours of attendance to start achieving long-term growth and sobriety.

Intervention Has No Age Limit

Substance abuse has the unfortunate ability to find its way into the lives of anyone, no matter the age. Adolescents and adults alike should receive intervention treatment whether it’s intensive treatment for full addiction, or an early intervention after seeing at-risk behavior. Even pre-teen children can be in danger of addiction, often getting these substances from friends or family that suffer from addiction or abuse themselves.

Tackling the issue head on is necessary to getting the ball rolling. The right approach is still key as being overbearing or condescending, even with the best intentions, can cause someone fighting addiction to throw up mental walls and push loved ones away. Simply show that you care and want them to be able to make their life exactly how they envisioned it.

Whether you’re concerned for your own substance abuse or that of a loved one, our team of addiction specialists is ready to help on the first steps towards achieving sobriety. Reach out to us today for a free confidential consultation.

Michael Wilson