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The United States is experiencing an addiction epidemic that is leading to alarming rates of overdose deaths. So, if you believe that you are struggling with addiction, know that you are not alone. Help is readily available to you. Outpatient rehabilitation programs are offered by private centers across the country, among others.
Some people have not sought addiction treatment because they are scared. This is normal, but the sooner you face your fear, the sooner you can get better and return to your life with the personalized tools needed to remain sober.
Sometimes, individuals do not realize that their environment is enabling an addiction. This is especially true for young adults in college. When people begin to allow an addict to get away with their destructive behavior, the addiction becomes worse.
Statistics show that college students are susceptible to substance abuse. Since they are experiencing freedom for the first time, they are trying new things. Some individuals are genetically prone to addiction. It only takes one try for someone predisposed to addiction to get hooked.
Facts and Definitions
An analysis of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s report Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed several eye-opening statistics. The information that this study included was:
The same study found that genetics played a role in up to 60% of the cases. Environmental factors such as a chaotic home environment was another. Teenagers are still the most at-risk group. Individuals with mental health disorders are the next.
Now, let’s define enabling in terms of addiction. What is an enabler?
Enabling in terms of addiction is when a person who believes they are helping an addict becomes a cushion instead. In this situation, the addict’s lifestyle is supported instead of cured.
What is an Enabler Among Friends?
An enabler usually does not set out to negatively impact their friend’s addiction or recovery. Unfortunately, because they do not have the proper training, they end up becoming a cushion. When emotion is involved like love or loyalty, a friend is less likely to criticize or tattle on an addict.
With college students, the enabling occurs for a variety of reasons like the first time without parental supervision, stress, and curiosity as well as peer pressure and codependency.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2019 Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found the following statistics regarding 34.1 million young adults between the ages of 18 to 25:
The SAMHSA also found that substances of choice included hallucinogens, cocaine, and heroin as well as opioids, methamphetamine, and benzodiazepines. One-third of college students surveyed revealed they had used marijuana, which was the highest ever reported.
If that many college students are abusing substances, it should be no surprise that enabling among friends is rampant. So is codependency.
How Enabling Friends Affect Addiction
An addict that is deeply in the dark hole of their disease begins to lie. They may tell their friends that they only need one more hit. An addict may ask to borrow money with the intention of scoring their substance of choice. An enabling friend is not going to say no when asked for the money or the ride that gets the addict to the liquor store or dealer. In the worst-case scenario, if the enabling friend turns down the addict, the addict may resort to theft or violence. Some enablers are well aware that theft and violence are possibilities. So, they go along to get along.
How Enabling Friends Can Negatively Affect Recovery
A well-intentioned enabler negatively affects an addict’s recovery because they do not have the tools to enforce recovery. More importantly, it is not their job to be an enforcer. An addict who is ready to recover and wants to recover will follow the guidelines of a 12-step program on their own, for example. When they want a hit of their substance of choice, they will attend a meeting instead.
How to Find a Good Support Group in Recovery
The various government agencies at the local, state and federal level are aware of the deaths and issues the current addiction crisis has caused. Health agencies have been dispatched to create initiatives that handle emergency cases and walk-ins.
It is believed that addiction among college students and young adults is under-treated. Of the 5.1 million young adults who reported an addiction, only 547,000 received treatment. 2.4 million of those young adults reported co-occurring illness of mental health issues and substance abuse. This means that the best treatment for college students is not a one-size-fits-all approach. They require personalized plans that will give them the tools they need to say no to their triggers.
Some treatment program options include therapy, a program track and determination of level of care. Then, an aftercare program.
For more information and to get help today, visit us at Mission Harbor Behavioral Health. Our experienced and compassionate staff is ready to help you get back to sobriety.
The facilities at Mission Harbor are staffed with trained experts to best assist patients with their mental health issues. We are capable of dealing with any and all cases with a licensed staff, equipment, and approved techniques. Our mission is to help those who want to help themselves, and we support your decision in seeking help.
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