10 Things you should know about addiction

Posted by Ella Wilson on October 29th, 2018

Addiction is a complex condition that not only affects the person who has it, but can also affect the people around them. Therefore, it is important that everyone knows about addiction, so they can help themselves and others.

1. Many people have addiction. If you find yourself with an addiction, you are not alone. A report published in 2010 by Defining the Addiction Treatment Gap from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) stated that approximately 23.5 million people in America are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. More people are suffering through addiction than you might think.
   
   
2. Addiction does not have to be lifelong. Addiction does not have to afflict or define you for your entire life; there are many roads to recovery that you can take to handle and treat your addiction. Based on your choices, addiction does not have to last forever.
   
   
3. Addiction and mental illness can be connected. Sometimes, addiction and mental illness can be connected. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, approximately half of the people who have a mental illness also struggle with addiction and substance abuse, and vice versa.
   
   
4. Recovery is a process. Curing addiction doesn’t happen overnight. Recovery is a journey that can take months, and most of the time, years. Don’t expect to wake up one day and find yourself completely fine; there is a lot to go into fighting addiction, and recovery can sometimes last the rest of your life.
   
   
5. Needing help in recovery is okay. Tackling addiction can be hard as well as physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing. That is why it is okay to need assistance from friends, family, and other loved ones in your quest for recovery.
   
   
6. Relapse is normal. Relapse, or the reversion to old ways or vices after a period of restraint, is a normal part of recovering from addiction. Don’t see it as a sign that recovery is futile; instead, use it as a drive to keep you going on the road to recovery.
   
   
7. Anyone is at risk of addiction. Addiction does not discriminate by class, age, race/ethnicity/nationality, gender, or any other factor. Anyone can fall victim to addiction. But anyone can also get help and begin recovery to living a life free from vices.
   
   
8. Addiction is preventable. There are ways to prevent addictions before they start. Taking everything in moderation is a main one, but it also helps to have strong support systems and resources to reach out to and use if you find yourself at risk.
   
   
9. Addiction affects everyone. When one person is addicted, it affects everyone in the lives. Family, friends, and spouses/partners all feel the weight and effects of it. It also affects less personal relationships, such as work and school relationships, as well as relationships and people in other parts of life.
   
   
10. There is hope. Addiction isn’t the end. There is always hope for recovery from any addiction if you know where to find the help and support you need. Reach out to resources to find a solution that works for you and can get you your life back.

It is important to understand addiction to prevent it and also treat it. Once you know more about it, you are in a position to contact a drug rehab in Arizona for support and recovery.