Society has dealt with substance abuse in one shape or another over countless years. For years, those that suffered with addiction were either brushed under the rug or severely stigmatized and not offered any help. Many were deemed to just have a “bit of a drinking problem” or riffraff that smoked weed and got high on the streets. Treatment for those that suffered from addiction was pretty scarce and not exactly supported in mainstream society. It hasn’t been until recent times that substance abuse has been taken seriously and people given options for treatment. Even though there is some pretty good treatment available for those with dependency issues, we still face an increasing amount of people that continue to suffer from addiction (a perfect example is the opioid crisis).

Substance abuse is extremely typical in the current culture. It, therefore, is a problem that has to be fully addressed. Clearly it covers a range of behavior that goes beyond dependency. Much of this happens because of the chemical imbalances in the body. It impairs the individual's productivity and ability to think with a clear mind. For many people with substance abuse problems, their thoughts constantly revolve around getting their next drink or their next hit. They have difficulty making rational decisions, and therefore fall into a cyclical decision-making process that almost always lands them back into an altered state.

Some people abuse drugs or alcohol because they are trying to find a way to escape from their everyday life. Many have had difficult lives and have learned that the best way to cope with reality is to drink alcohol or get high. This temporary coping mechanism is not only affecting their health and well-being, but it affects their family, friends and co-workers. For many, they have faced the demons of addiction for so many years that they don’t even remember what it was like to live a clean and sober life. Family members that are dealing with this also have to figure out how they will help their loved one through crisis after crisis. Some stay through thick and thin, but some might not be able to handle it and leave or cut them off all together. Friends that addicts have had over the years may not stick around, and worse yet, new friends with ill-intentions might start popping up. Many people with substance abuse issues often have difficulty finding and keeping work. Some organizations have zero-tolerance policies when it comes to drugs and many would not consider keeping someone on if there is a known substance-abuse issue that affects their job.

Addiction is a significant problem not just in America, but all across the world. Countries handle the issue in many different ways. Some societies have abundant resources for those that suffer from addiction, and some either don’t recognize there is even an issue, or don’t have the money or resources for treatment programs.

Because substance abuse is considered a chronic disease, people can't simply stop using drugs for a few days and be cured. Some individuals might just need an educational program while others might call for treatment programs intense intervention that might incorporate detox, inpatient, or outpatient therapy. For instance, they may be more ready to make changes with regard to one disorder over the other. Many individuals seek the assistance of substance abuse counselors when they're ready, however it is unfortunate that many never ask for help and sometimes end up suffering major consequences.

Patients can get treatment in many unique settings with a variety of approaches. During sessions, they learn to recognize and modify risky behavior by using a variety of skills. Most patients undergo several therapies to tackle every one of the causes. Patients who don't get any additional treatment after detoxification usually resume their drug usage. It’s imperative that once someone leaves a treatment center that they ensure they have a support system ready to help them tackle the daily struggles that will follow them for potentially the rest of their lives.

It is also important to note that substance abuse counselors ought to be excellent listeners, be intuitive, and able to distinguish lies from truth in order to best help their customers. They must make sure that their clients truly want to stop their patterns of substance abuse before starting any type of counseling or therapy. Some substance abuse counselors may feel as though they have failed their clients in the event the client is not able to recover.

If you live in the Los Angeles area and you or a loved one has a substance abuse problem, please go to Design for Recovery to learn more about the programs they have to offer.