National Substance Abuse Prevention Month

Starting in 2011, October was determined to be National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. It is a month where professionals, parents, educators and others bring awareness to and about the health effects from substance abuse. During this month, there are talks about individual addictions and community-wide epidemics. Basically, National Substance Abuse Prevention Month was created to open up the dialogue about what can be done as a country or as an individual to prevent substance abuse and addiction. 

If you or a loved one or someone else you know is dealing with substance abuse, there are addiction treatments you can get starting right away. Reach out to us, here at Transformations Care, to get the help you need. 

Reasons to Recognize National Substance Abuse Prevention Month

So, why is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month so important to recognize? Well, first of all, did you know that studies who around 60% of all Americans abuse some kind of drug (including alcohol and tobacco). In addition, around 45% of all Americans are either an addict or know someone who is an addict. This problem is real throughout the United States and it is important to recognize the damage substance abuse can do. This can go a long way in preventing addiction and in saving lives. 

Starting with the Youth

It is vital to learn about all the damage that substance abuse and addiction have on the youth. If you have children and you develop an addiction, they are going to be negatively affected by that addiction. If your child has friends or family members who abuse alcohol or drugs, they are much more likely to do so, too. There are so many reasons why National Substance Abuse Prevention Month should start with the youth. Some other reasons include:

• Stopping addiction or substance abuse before it starts 
• Many teenagers fall into peer pressure traps, so prevention matters before this happens
• The earlier someone starts abusing drugs, the more difficult it will be for them to quit
• Many teenagers don’t know where to turn when they face problems in life, so educating them on their resources and options can help to prevent a substance use disorder

These are just some of the numerous reasons why National Substance Abuse Prevention Month needs to start with educating the youth. There are many ways that the youth can be educated during this month including teaching substance abuse prevention in schools, in homes and within the communities. 

How Can You Help

Are you ready to personally help the youth and others prevent an addiction during National Substance Abuse Prevention Month or at any other time throughout the year? If so, there are numerous things that you can do to help, such as:

• Keeping lines of communication open between you, your friends, and your family
• Checking in on your friends and loved ones regularly to see how their physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health are going
• Be there to help people solve problems
• Build a strong support network in your own life
• Attend therapy or other treatments to prevent an addiction in your life
• Don’t judge others, what they have been through, or their life choices
• Listen intently when someone is talking to you
• Be there for children who you think are struggling and for those who seem to have it all put together (often, they are struggling the most)
• Educate your own children on the dangers of drug and alcohol use and how they can prevent addiction in their life
• Let your children know that you will always be there for them when they need someone to talk to or if they need help getting out of bad situations
• Congratulate your children on their achievements (many children develop substance abuse issues when they don’t feel their family cares about the hard work they put into school or into life)

These are some of the many ways that you can help children, yourself and others to prevent addiction. During National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, you can and should start implementing these tips into your own life and the life of your loved ones. 

Treatment Options for Substance Use Disorders

Unfortunately, for some people reading about National Substance Abuse Prevention Month is too late, as they have already developed an addiction. If this is the case for you and/or your loved one, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Just because you can’t prevent an addiction in your life, doesn’t mean you can’t stop it from getting even more out of hand. 

In fact, there are numerous treatment options for substance use disorders that you or your loved one can attend, such as:

• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Individual therapy
• Inpatient rehab treatment
• Partial hospitalization programs
• Intensive outpatient treatment
• Outpatient programs
• Nutritional counseling
• Meditation and/or yoga
• Other relaxation methods and techniques

These are only some of the many different treatments that you or your loved one can receive if you are struggling with a substance use disorder. Even if you aren’t sure whether you have a problem with drug or alcohol use, if you suspect there may be an issue, reach out to our team today. We can talk you through your drug and alcohol use habits and discuss the treatments that may work best for you. 

Prevent Addiction or Get Substance Abuse Treatment Today

Now that you know more about what you can do during National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, you can begin to take action in your own life and the lives of those around you. If everyone does their part, we can all help to prevent addiction or substance abuse issues in more people’s lives.

If you or a loved one already have an addiction, don’t continue to let it get more out of control. Here at Transformations Care, we have numerous treatments that can help to change your life for the better. Contact us today, to learn more about how we can help you to either prevent addiction or get the substance abuse treatment you or your loved one need.