Tackling Drug Abuse In A Rapidly Addicted Environment

In today’s culture, drugs are everywhere. We constantly see actors on TV and in movies downing whiskey, music festivals all over the country promote the use of ecstasy or other party drugs, and even doctors are prescribing opiates like crazy. This saturation of drug use is one of the reasons why we are living in a rapidly addicted environment. Combine that with the fact that our lives are busier and more stressful than ever and it’s no surprise that over 23.5 million Americans turn to drugs and alcohol.

But how can we tackle drug abuse in today’s culture? First, we need to understand what drug abuse and addiction are. Then, we need to overcome myths of drug abuse. Lastly, we need to understand that in order to help ourselves and our loved ones get better, we need to shift from a culture of shame to a culture of growth. Understanding that everyone’s recovery journey is different is the key to real change.

What is Drug Abuse?

The first step in tackling drug abuse is understanding what it is. According to Healthy Place, drug abuse is “an extreme desire to obtain, and use increasing amounts of one or more substances. Drug abuse is a generic term for the abuse of any drug, including alcohol and cigarettes.” This is a pretty broad definition, so let’s look at what it actually means.

Compared to taking drugs legally, drug abuse is when a person’s need for a drug overpowers their ability to function during their everyday life. Other definitions of drug abuse include:

• Repeated use of the drug in ways that could be harmful
• Using the drug is affecting the ability to meet family, social, or work commitments
• Continued use of drugs despite the fact that it’s leading to difficulties
• Legal problems due to drug use

Most importantly, all ethnicities, ages, social groups and genders can have drug abuse problems. Remember, drug abuse is not a moral failing, but rather a medical condition.

Drug Abuse Myths

Another important step in tackling drug abuse in such a rapidly addicted environment is to set the record straight and debunk some common drug abuse myths.

Myth: Drug Abuse is a Character Flaw

False – As we discussed previously, drug addiction and abuse is a chemical reaction in the brain, not a lapse of character or choice. Some individuals are more prone to addictive behavior than others and while scientists aren’t sure why this is the case, it may be genetic. Regardless, it should be approached as a mental health crisis, rather than the fault of the abuser.

Myth: Rehab Doesn’t Work

False – Many people struggling with addiction fail to see the benefits of therapy and would rather fight through their addiction than seek help. But, there are countless types of treatment available today that can be catered to each individual. From traditional approaches to medically assisted therapy to holistic choices, the options are nearly endless.

Individualized Therapy

The last thing we can do to tackle drug abuse in our country is approach rehabilitation in a new way. Traditional programs don’t always work for everyone and therapy is as different as the individual seeking help. There is no proven treatment that works for everyone and therefore, we must approach rehab in a new and individualized way.

For some people, faith-based programs like Alcohol or Narcotics Anonymous may work. For some, medicinal therapy might be best, to help tamper withdrawal symptoms. And some users might prefer holistic therapy, like acupuncture, meditation, and cognitive training. Either way, as long as our loved ones and friends are getting the help they need, we will be on the right track to tackling drug abuse in our environment.