The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recorded a substantial drop in drug-related fatalities across the country. In the provisional data they released, they found a nearly 27% decrease from the previous 110,037 deaths in 2023.
However, while things are looking upward nationwide, many states, like New York, remain grappling at the thick of the healthcare crisis.
Just recently, the New York Times reported seven deaths in just five hours, all attributed to drug abuse, particularly cocaine and opioid fentanyl. In 2023, the same year the CDC recorded a tremendous decline in overdose deaths, the state had seen over 3,000 fatalities.
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex mental and behavioral health issue. It changes the victims’ brain chemistry, impairing their judgment and skewing their priorities. It’s estimated that over 19 million children and families in the US suffer from the consequences of SUD.
Still, drug addiction isn’t permanent, and getting your life back on track is possible. With the right substance abuse treatment program and continuous support, you can break free from this vicious cycle.
If you or any of your loved ones are living with a drug or alcohol addiction in Mineola, here’s everything you need to know about its development and the best treatment services available near you.
Table of Contents
How Alcohol and Drug Addiction Develops
Drug and alcohol use becomes addiction when the substance overtakes the body’s reward system. As the central nervous system adapts to functioning with drugs or alcohol, the individual becomes less in control of their impulses and behavior.
Various factors could affect someone’s likelihood of developing drug and alcohol addiction. Understanding these contributors is an essential part of recovery.
Social and Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is a widely acknowledged reason for many people to use drugs or drink alcohol, opening the door for abuse.
Peer pressure can be direct, where friends or colleagues actively promote drinking and drug use. But it can also be an indirect influence, where the person turns to alcohol or drugs because of its perceived popularity.
According to the New Council of Mental Wellbeing, over 21% of reported adolescent drug use has been caused by peer and social influence.
Genetics and Family History
According to new evidence, some people may be more susceptible to using substances and developing SUD or AUD than others.
Genetics, that is, having family members with a history of addiction, can significantly increase someone’s addiction risk. Experts directly point to hereditary traits as responsible for 40% to 60% of substance abuse vulnerability.
The risk is increased multiple-fold for those who have parents or siblings who struggle with either alcohol or drug dependence.
Dual Diagnosis and Co-occurring Disorders
Drug and alcohol use often co-exists with other mental health issues. Treatment providers refer to this complicated interplay as a dual diagnosis or a co-occurring disorder.
In some cases, a patient can have depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia before they develop SUD. For others, their drug use contributed to the changes in their brains, triggering or worsening their mental health disorders.
“Self-medicating” is a fairly common reason individuals suffering from a mental disorder turn to alcohol and drug abuse. This is where they attempt to alleviate uncomfortable and sometimes painful symptoms through intoxication.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders
Different drugs produce different effects depending on the person. If you’re worried someone you know is suffering from chronic alcoholism and substance misuse, here are some signs you need to watch out for:
- Uncontrolled Urges: People caught in the vicious cycle of substance abuse often exhibit a lack of impulse control over their drinking or drug use, despite knowing its consequences.
- Increasing Amount of Consumption: Continued exposure to alcohol and drugs can result in increased tolerance. They may need more and more of the substance over time to achieve similar results.
- Preoccupation with Drug Use: People with substance misuse problems typically have a pathological preoccupation with using or drinking. This results in poor academic or professional performance.
- Noticeable Health Decline: Chronic substance abuse can manifest itself in a declining overall health. They may start neglecting their wellness and hygiene, which often leads to skin and mouth infections.
- Social Withdrawal: A person suffering from SUD may put their drug use above all else, ignoring their family and friends and withdrawing completely from their social circles.
Physical withdrawal is perhaps the most telltale symptom of alcohol and drug dependence. When the person reduces or stops their intake, they experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms like seizures, depression, and body pains.
Treatment Options In Mineola Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers
If you feel your alcohol and drug use has become too much and you desire to take a positive step towards recovery, seeking out drug rehab centers accredited by The Joint Commission (JCAHO) is a good place to start.
These sober living recovery centers offer evidence-based interventions and state-of-the-art facilities to help you conquer substance abuse for good.
Detoxification Therapy
Quitting “cold turkey” can be dangerous due to the range of serious withdrawal symptoms that can happen, especially for long-time drinkers and users.
Many addiction treatment centers provide guided detox therapy to facilitate safer substance withdrawal. They recommend the best practices to taper off ethanol or drugs and offer 24/7 monitoring and support.
On average, withdrawal lasts anywhere from a week to several months to eliminate the substance from the system.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
More serious cases of SUD may require medication to manage withdrawal symptoms, such as intense cravings, severe depression, and chronic pain. These prescriptions are always taken under medical supervision.
Diazepam and chlordiazepoxide are common medications offered to manage alcohol withdrawal. For opioids, buprenorphine is given to reduce cravings. People with dual diagnosis or co-occurring mental health issues may be given separate prescriptions.
Therapy and Counseling Services
Talk therapy is another standard counseling center intervention used to help people recovering from SUD and other mental health disorders. They help identify the root causes of the issue and resolve them.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common method used to address problematic thought and behavioral patterns. In doing this, patients can learn practical and healthier coping mechanisms to manage their condition.
Family counseling could also be employed to explore family dynamics and repair relationships harmed by drug and alcohol use.
Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment Programs
The effects of substance abuse can vary from person to person, and there are different levels of care based on your unique needs.
Inpatient or residential treatment is designed for more chronic substance use disorders that hinder the patient’s ability to function. Inpatient care requires you to be admitted to a treatment facility for a certain amount of time or until you recover.
Outpatient programs, on the other hand, are a more flexible setup for people with manageable mild to moderate SUD. The patient can continue living and working while receiving several hours of daily treatment.
Partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) are examples of outpatient drug rehabilitation programs.
Aftercare and Relapse Prevention
The struggle doesn’t end the moment you set foot outside the rehab center. These evidence-based programs are comprehensive health systems designed to offer continued support to facilitate life-long sobriety.
To help prevent relapse, many treatment centers may host monthly alumni outreach, aftercare recovery groups, peer support initiatives, and share helplines for immediate emergency support.
Talking to Someone About Their Substance and Alcohol Use
Talking to a loved one about their mental health condition and need for professional help can be difficult.
If someone you know suffers from substance or alcohol addiction, it’s best to prepare before urging them to be admitted to a rehab center.
- Speak with a professional to ensure an accurate understanding of the condition.
- Research and familiarize yourself with supportive, non-stigmatizing language, such as using “person with substance use disorder” rather than “addict.”
- Listen without being judgmental.
- Discuss the available support that may help reduce their drinking or drug use without being forceful.
- Emphasize that you’re ready to talk again whenever they’re ready.
By approaching the conversation with compassion and love, you can help change someone’s course in life.
Bottom Line: Finding Expert Support For Substance Addiction
Substance use disorder is a life-altering disorder. But you don’t have to fight the illness alone. Help is always available when you need it.
Long Island Interventions offers holistic and personalized treatment programs for substance and alcohol use disorders. With a flexible payment option, we offer services across Nassau County on Long Island.
We serve from Hempstead and Hicksville to Garden City and New Hyde Park, including those in Westbury, Glen Oaks, and along the North Shore.
Reach out to us to verify your Medicaid, Medicare, and health insurance coverage and start your healing journey today!
