Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Alcohol and Drug Addiction researchers, along with addiction treatment counselors have long known that alcohol and drug addiction are strongly linked. In fact, two out of five substance abuse treatment patients abuse both alcohol and drugs together. In 2001, nearly two of every three American teenagers, ages 12 to 17, who engaged in frequent drinking binges also abused drugs. In comparison, only 1 of 20 teenagers who did not drink at all used drugs.
Patients that have problems with both alcohol and drug addiction account for more than 42 percent of admissions to addiction treatment centers reported by State agencies in 2000, the last year for which this data was published. Alcohol abuse is even more likely among patients who abuse certain drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. For example, more than half of cocaine abusing patients who entered treatment in 2000, also abuse alcohol. Among those who had used alcohol, 52.7 percent had used one or more illicit drug at some time in their life, while only 8 percent of non-drinkers had used illicit drugs.
Alcohol and Drug Addiction is Two Problems, Not Just One
Alcohol and Drug Addiction can cause a great deal of damage to individuals, families and communities. Most addiction treatment centers only target one of the disorders, leaving the other one unhandled at best.
Alcohol and Drug Addiction is not some mysterious brain disease. A person suffering from alcohol and drug addiction started using to solve some perceived problem(s) in their life. They continued to use the drugs and alcohol to handle these problems, which leads to dependence on these substances and a person with an alcohol and drug addiction. Eventually the alcohol and drug addiction becomes an even greater problem than the original problem(s) they where trying to solve by using these substances.
The end result is now twofold for the person who has an alcohol and drug addiction problem:
Successful Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Solves Both Problems
Many people think that people who have an alcohol and drug addiction problem lack self-control or self-discipline, and that simply getting them somehow to stop using will solve the alcohol and drug addiction problem. In fact, quitting alcohol or drugs is only one of the problems. The person became an addicted to alcohol and drugs to solve some other problem(s).
Correctly easing the person who has an alcohol and drug addiction problem off of the alcohol and drugs is of course a necessary step, but that solves only one of the problems, and by itself can often be at best a temporary solution.
Helping a person who has an alcohol and drug addiction problem discover or rediscover the original problem(s); and to overcome these with real-life solutions is an essential component of almost all successful alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs. By giving an addict the tools and life skills to confront and handle common obstacles encountered in life, at home, on the job, etc. on a daily basis is integral to beating alcohol and drug addiction in the long term!
The Narconon Arrowhead drug and alcohol rehabilitation program has been helping those stuck in the deadly trap of alcohol and drug addiction, beat there addictions and once again become drug free individuals leading productive lives and contributing to life and society!
For more information on Alcohol and Drug Addiction and how we can help, call us at 1-800-468-6933.
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