Statistics alone have shown an increase in drug abuse and drug disorders. Since 2000 there have been 700,000 drug overdoses. Individuals need to be aware that several different and scheduled drugs are available. Some drugs can come from the counter to drugs like fentanyl, which can kill you.

In 2022 there were 37,309 million individuals that were actively using within the last thirty days, including children as young as twelve. So, if you have not had that talk with your children, think about it. This might or might not surprise you, but 47% of juveniles will use drugs before graduation. In the last thirty days, 5% of eighth graders, 20% of tenth graders, and 24% of twelve graders are using. If you are wondering what number of individuals have used in a lifetime, were looking at 138.543 million.

If you think addiction is not out there or on a decrease, we are far from that. Realize that some states run a drug dispensary on every corner, and not everyone abides by the state law. Adults and kids are getting a hold of every drug, from marijuana to fentanyl to fake pills.  

Lately, I have been watching people I love who are in recovery slip back into their old habits. It is sad to watch the ones you love slip away. Since my recovery, I watched seven lose their lives and tons fall. Some that fall come back quickly, realizing this is not what they wanted, whereas others are still out there.

Statistics alone have shown an increase in drug abuse and drug disorders. Since 2000 there have been 700,000 drug overdoses. Individuals need to be aware that several different and scheduled drugs are available. Some drugs can come from the counter to drugs like fentanyl, which can kill you.

In 2022 there were 37,309 million individuals that were actively using within the last thirty days, including children as young as twelve. So, if you have not had that talk with your children, think about it. This might or might not surprise you, but 47% of juveniles will use drugs before graduation. In the last thirty days, 5% of eighth graders, 20% of tenth graders, and 24% of twelve graders are using. If you are wondering what number of individuals have used in a lifetime, were looking at 138.543 million.

If you think addiction is not out there or on a decrease, we are far from that. Realize that some states run a drug dispensary on every corner, and not everyone abides by the state law. Adults and kids are getting a hold of every drug, from marijuana to fentanyl to fake pills.  

Reference:

National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS). (2023). https://drugabusestatistics.org

Written by: Melissa Pena

Let me say this we can reduce stigma if we change the way we think or the way we respond. Do you remember what I wrote up top? I was called a junkie. A person who is walking through recovery is far from a junkie. You might want to say there goes that addict. You could rephrase that by saying Melissa has a SUD. Another phrase heard a lot is abuse. Melissa was abusing those drugs. Instead, you could have said Melissa is misusing or using. How about the individuals who report and come back to talk to their friends? They possibly had a positive test. Instead of saying you were dirty, you could have tested positive. There are many other phrases we could change, but we also must think and process before responding. I can tell you firsthand that words matter, they are hard to hear, and we already feel bad. We must stop the stigma on drugs and individuals.

Written by: Melissa Pena

Addiction can be genetic but also a learned behavior at home. How was your childhood? Were you in a home where drug use, alcohol abuse, or abuse happened? Addiction is also a disease that destroys everything we encounter. Addiction causes home conflicts, missing work, and even health problems. These drugs today are controlling and life debilitating. Addiction does not just affect the drug abuser, but it affects the whole family. I had become the most heartless, cold, irritable, and unrecognizable addict. What was I thinking or doing with my life? 

Today the word is called recovery. I was ready to regain control over my life. I wanted to be in the right state of mind and health. I was prepared to learn what happened to me as a child and deal with this trauma. Today, my recovery comes first before anything else. I attend Celebrate Recovery, which is a 12-step program that is Christ-centered. I work through the steps, attend step studies, meet with a sponsor, and attend two meetings weekly. I realized I had no healthy coping skills. Today, I have healthy coping skills. The skills I gained were reaching out when I am struggling, journaling, and even sitting with my emotions. Sitting with these feelings has not been easy, but I can say I do not self-medicate anymore. Have you found a program that works for you?  What coping skills do you use? Today, I have control of my life and a family who loves me. 

If you would like to reach out to author, please do so on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/melissalynngary2021

Written by: Melissa Pena

Prescription drug abuse is an epidemic and it can be problematic for all demographics. One group that is particularly at risk, but often overlooked, is athletes. For several reasons, athletes may be more likely to abuse prescription drugs, develop addictions and need treatment to embrace a healthy, sober lifestyle.

Prescription Drugs to Alleviate Performance Pressure

One of the reasons that athletes decide to use prescription drugs is as a way to alleviate or reduce the pressure of performing at a high level. Whether athletes are performing in a college football game or they are professional baseball players, there can be millions of eyes watching their every move. When this pressure becomes overwhelming, prescription drugs might seem like a viable means of relief.

Of course, using prescription drugs to avoid pressure is not a long-term solution. Over time, it can lead to greater problems, and it actually has the potential to reduce performance levels, producing the opposite of the intended effect.

Some students athletes struggle to manage their academic and athletic schedules. In some cases, these hard-working students aren’t getting enough sleep. They might be waking up early for practice, having classes during the day and staying up late at night to study. Add in a part-time job, and it can be an impossible schedule.

When busy, stressed student athletes feel overwhelmed, prescription drugs like Adderall or Ritalin may seem appealing. These prescription drugs are stimulants, which means they can help users function on less sleep. Over time, however, this can have serious adverse effects.

There are many ways to handle athletic performance stress without relying on prescription drugs. Stress management techniques, meditation, yoga or more realistic expectations can go a long way in helping athletes establish healthy, lifelong habits that don’t involve prescription medications.

Prescription Drugs to Stay on the Field or Court

Many athletes rely on prescription drugs so that they can continue with their athletic pursuits. When rest and recovery are recommended, some athletes turn to prescription drugs rather than taking time off.

It is easy to see the appeal of a prescription alternative to rest. After all, many athletes work for years to get to a certain level. Having to take time off, particularly when there is a critical game, race or event coming up, can be devastating.

In the case of an injury, pain might make continued play difficult or even impossible. It is hard to imagine a star football player being successful on the field with an injured shoulder or knee. Prescription painkillers, however, can eliminate that pain.

Many athletes decide to rely on prescription painkillers because the more appropriate course of treatment will simply take too long. For many injuries, the best approach is rest and recovery. Alternatively, surgery might be necessary for true healing. Of course, those who are at a certain level of fitness won’t look forward to being forced to taking time off from their sport of choice.

That is not to say that prescription drugs aren’t sometimes the right choice for athletes, both professionals and amateurs. However, short-term use for acute pain is very different from long-term use as a mask for pain needs more serious, comprehensive treatment. Athletes should not be afraid of the time off, which can lead to proper healing and a life of activity.

Former Athletes and Prescription Drug Abuse

It is not just current athletes who have to worry about the risks of prescription drug abuse and addiction. Former athletes, for a myriad of reasons, are also prone to this particular problem.

To start, former athletes are more likely than the general population to have serious injuries as a result of their athletic careers. This is especially true because many athletes don’t let injuries properly recover when they happen. Years or decades down the road, even smaller injuries can become major sources of pain.

Former athletes who deal with chronic pain may want relief. Furthermore, they may be frustrated by feeling frail or out of shape. The potency of narcotic painkillers can make it possible to continue without slowing down. Of course, doing so is not without risks.

When Prescription Drug Use Becomes Abuse or Addiction

Once athletes start using prescription drugs, it can be incredibly difficult to stop using them. This happens because the body begins to depend on the drugs, creating a cycle of addiction that is very challenging to overcome.

Once the crutch of prescription drugs has been used, it is hard to go back. Athletes who avoid injury treatment in order to play the next game, for example, are more likely to want to play the next game and the next. It might seem like there is never a convenient time to stop using prescription drugs.

Another issue is that the body will become chemically dependent on prescription drugs, particularly opiates. As tolerance grows, athletes might require larger and larger doses, which only serves to strengthen the addiction.

How Athletes Can Overcome Prescription Drug Abuse

When athletes face the reality of prescription drug abuse or addiction, recovery can seem like an overwhelming prospect. Thankfully, treatment can make a tremendous difference, and it can be exactly what individuals need to live the healthy life they deserve. Detox and rehab are widely regarded as the keys to recovery.

After a detox, addiction treatment can get to the heart of an addiction. Athletes can begin by partaking in therapy sessions that explore their personal issues and how to move forward. Individual behavioral therapy and group therapy are two important aspects of comprehensive recovery.

For many athletes, pain management will also be a critical element of overcoming addiction. It is important to utilize existing resources, many of which are available in rehab centers. Things like consistent exercise, nutrition, massage therapy and more can all contribute to pain management, helping patients stay off of prescription drugs for good.

There is a clear and strong link between athletes and prescription drug abuse. Thankfully, however, current and former athletes who seek help can successfully break free from a reliance on prescription medications.

Understanding the Intervention

An intervention for drug use occurs when family, friends or other loved ones help individuals struggling with addiction understand the scope of their behavior and how it’s negatively impacting everyone around them. An intervention can sometimes help those struggling with addiction overcome their denial and appreciate the severity of the situation.

Interventions can seem awkward for those involved, but it’s important to remember that the goal of an intervention isn’t to have fun, or create memories, or feel comfortable. The goal is to save someone’s life. Therefore, those participating in an intervention should understand and appreciate the gravity of the situation.

An intervention usually operates by using the element of surprise. The individual struggling with addiction will be greeted by their friends, family or coworkers, who can then explain why drug addiction is harming all of those involved. This is a very personal action, and it can become emotional for the individual struggling with addiction as well as all other attendees. Often, enlisting the help of a professional interventionist will help the process go smoothly.

Advantages of an Intervention

The biggest advantage of holding an intervention is that it can be the turning point for those dealing with an addiction to drugs. Often, these individuals are in denial, and they are working hard to ignore the signs that their substance abuse is wreaking havoc on their lives and the lives of their loved ones. An intervention can also be cathartic for the friends and loved ones involved, as it creates a way for them to feel like they’re helping rather than just standing by and watching events unfold.

The primary objective of an intervention should always be getting those addicted to drugs into the right treatment facility. Ideally, transportation would be available and waiting, and there should be availability in a detox or rehab center already reserved. Then, when the individuals dealing with addiction are aware of the scope of their substance abuse, and can truly understand how it impacts everyone around them, they can take immediate action and begin the journey to recovery right away.

Who Should be Involved in an Intervention

Knowing who to include in an intervention for drug abuse can be a tricky issue. On one hand, it may make sense to invite as many people as possible, so that the individuals for whom the intervention is planned can see just how many people care about them and want them to seek help. On the other hand, inviting too many people may result in chaos, and it may be difficult to have the focus that’s required in a successful intervention.

Individuals with strong religious beliefs might benefit from having a trusted member of the clergy in attendance, and some individuals might benefit from having a beloved teacher at their intervention. Above all, it’s important that everyone in attendance has a close, genuine relationship with the person in question. This isn’t an event where casual friends or acquaintances should be there. Young children, while they may play a special role in the family, shouldn’t be in attendance, as it can be confusing for them to understand what’s going on.

It may also be beneficial to invite an interventionist to help guide the intervention. An interventionist makes sure that the schedule stays on track, and that people are able to speak without feeling overwhelmed or disrespected. For those who are new to the idea of an intervention, but who want the process to be a success, working with an interventionist can be a very good idea.

Intervention Styles and Their Effectiveness

There are a number of different intervention styles, and each has its pros and cons. The most popular types include the Johnson Model, the Systemic Model and the Invitational Model. The Johnson Model is the most common intervention style, and it operates by spelling out clear consequences for the main participants if they don’t seek help. There is still support and freedom from judgement, but the Johnson Model can sometimes create feelings of guilt or shame.

The Systemic Model is an intervention style that focuses on the positive rather than highlighting negative consequences. In this style, an intervention might discuss the advantages of sobriety and why working for this goal is so important. The final intervention style is the Invitational Model. Unlike most interventions, this model doesn’t include the element of surprise, and those addicted to drugs can be aware of the intervention and choose whether or not to attend.

After the Intervention: What Comes Next?

It’s necessary to capitalize on the progress made during an intervention and use the momentum to take action immediately. Addicted individuals should be fully aware of their choices and the consequences they might face if they don’t seek help. In some cases, this might mean being cut off financially or no longer having contact with loved ones or children unless they begin addiction treatment immediately.

Thankfully, the majority of those individuals suffering from drug addiction will go on to seek help immediately following the intervention. They might go directly to a detox facility, or they may enroll in a rehab treatment center instead. Either way, it can be beneficial to have these options set up in advance to prevent any changed minds in the hours or days following the intervention. Make sure that the individuals who are the focus on the intervention aren’t able to use one last time before heading to rehab, but are taken directly to a treatment facility.

An intervention for drug use has the potential to greatly improve lives, but it needs to be planned out and orchestrated correctly in order to be most effective. Often, an interventionist can be the right choice to help guide an intervention and help participants get the treatment they need for sobriety.