substance abuse in Boston Massachusetts

Substance Abuse in Massachusetts

When you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, it can be difficult for you to accept it.  One important step toward getting help for addiction, whether it is your own or someone else’s, is to first understand how alcohol or other drugs affect you or your loved one.

Signs of a Substance Abuse Disorder

  • Lack of control and/or judgment
  • Neglect of work or home life responsibilities
  • Isolation from friends and loved ones
  • Deception, such as hiding how much alcohol or drugs were consumed
  • Loss of interest in formerly enjoyable activities
  • Risk-taking behaviors
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms even when not using alcohol or the substance of choice, such as anxiety, irritability, sweating, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting.

Negative Consequences of Substance Abuse

Substance abuse can have many detrimental effects.  Over time, a person abusing drugs or alcohol can develop health issues, and prolonged substance abuse can also change a person’s brain and judgment capabilities.  Additionally, alcohol and drug use that develops into substance abuse can result in family and relationship problems, as well as financial issues and legal problems.

Alcohol

One commonly abused substance is alcohol.  Alcohol is a depressant which works by slowing down the body’s central nervous system.  Alcohol has an effect on how a person’s brain communicates with their body.  The use of alcohol can affect each organ in the body and also can harm a fetus in development.

Opioids

Opioids are another type of drug that is commonly abused.  These drugs are typically safe if taken for just a short period of time when prescribed by a doctor, but they carry the risk of being misused.  The misuse of opioids can result in overdose and even death.

If you or someone you love is suffering from substance abuse in Massachusetts, it is important to seek help and begin the addiction recovery process to avoid negative consequences from addiction.

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Preventing Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) utilizes early intervention strategies in its efforts to reduce the impact of substance use and mental disorders in America.

Mental and Substance Use Disorder Statistics

Substance use and mental disorders can have a major impact on the health of individuals, along with their families and their communities.  Approximately 9.8 million adults aged 18 and older in America had a serious mental illness in 2014, and 1.7 million of these adults are classified as young adults, aged 18 to 25.  Additionally, about 15.7 million adults and 2.8 million youth (aged 12 to 17) reported suffering a major depressive episode during the last year.

Drug and alcohol use can lead to the development of other chronic diseases, like heart disease and diabetes.  Dealing with the impact of substance abuse is thought to cost Americans an estimated $600 billion dollars per year.

In 2014, about 22.5 million Americans that were 12 years old or older reported needing treatment for illicit drug use or alcohol.  These types of disorders are included in the top conditions that result in disability and have a high burden of disease in the U.S.  As a result, these disorders result in high costs to families, health systems, and employers.  It is estimated that by the year 2020, mental and substance abuse disorders will become a major cause of disability throughout the world, surpassing all other physical diseases.

Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Prevention

Selective prevention strategies focus on assisting people to develop the attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to make positive choices and change harmful behavior.  These strategies can be implemented in a classroom setting.

Universal prevention approaches incorporate the usage of environmental prevention strategies.  Environmental prevention strategies are tailored to local communities and address root causes of risky behavior by creating healthy environments.

Are you or a loved one dealing with substance abuse?

Sober living houses, like the Tharros House, can be a helpful place to begin your recovery process. Visit www.tharroshouse.com to learn more.