Treatment Can Heal Lives, Families, Communities
Millions of Americans have substance use disorders and millions more live in households with people who currently have or have had problems with alcohol or other drugs. Substance use disorders include dependence on and abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs, including non-medical use of prescription drugs. Dependence is a more severe substance problem than abuse in terms of diagnostic classification.
There are a number of drugs which reported use in this area is prevalent, and each certainly has damaging effects. Alcohol contains properties that heavily affect the liver after prolonged use, interfere with other medications, and can cause birth defects. In addition, driving under the influence of alcohol and alcohol-related traffic fatalities are a serious yet avoidable public safety issue.
Marijuana is a drug that has become increasingly dangerous due to its main active ingredient being far more potent than it was some 30 years ago. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug and many use it on a regular and sometimes daily basis. Marijuana use can cause impairment in memory, judgment, coordination and balance.
Methamphetamine is a powerfully addicting stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It is often taken orally, smoked, injected or snorted and is used by very diverse segments of the population. Meth use can cause anxiety, irregular heartbeat, strokes and convulsions that can easily lead to cardiovascular collapse or death.
Nicotine contained in cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, or chewing tobacco is highly addictive, acting as both a stimulant and a sedative to the central nervous system. Tobacco use, particularly cigarette smoking, is linked to some of the leading causes of death in the United States, including lung cancer and stroke.
Misuse of prescription drugs is a growing problem that can also lead to dependence. There are three types that are most often misused: 1) opioids, including morphine, codeine and oxycodone which can lead to dependence and painful, uncomfortable withdrawal when use is reduced or stopped; 2) depressants, such as Nembutal, valium, or Xanax from which withdrawal is both difficult and dangerous; and 3) stimulants including Ritalin and Dexedrine which taken inappropriately can cause irregular heartbeat, dangerous high body temperature, cardiovascular failure or seizures.
Substance use disorders can be treated effectively, and studies show that treatment is far more cost effective than jail or prison. Treatment is based on levels of care that begin with education for someone at risk of developing a substance use problem and end with the highest level that includes 24-hour care in an inpatient facility. Many individuals can be treated in outpatient clinics or may be seen in outpatient for follow-up after a brief higher level treatment episode.
People recovering from substance use disorders, their families, friends and communities can all benefit from the healing that occurs when an affected person begins their road to recovery. Treatment includes support for reducing or stopping alcohol or other drug use and can lead to improvement in mental and physical health, employment success and resulting increased income and reduction in risk-taking behaviors that place individuals at higher risk for sexually transmitted disease. Treatment professionals can also assist with linking individuals to other needed services and support groups in the area.
Treatment is available locally. Individuals desiring treatment may contact Heartland Human Services at 217/347-7179 and request a phone screening. Professional staff will evaluate treatment needs and make recommendations concerning the most appropriate level of service. Getting people with substance use disorders into quality treatment programs and providing access to other support services is the first step toward healing lives, families and communities.
September 2005 – 16th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month –The theme is Join the Voices for Recovery: Healing Lives, Families and Communities