How people progress from casual, social use to alcohol and drug abuse to full scale addiction is complex. We know that Contra Costa County residents tend to begin their substance use during adolescence. Adolescence is a time when Contra Costa County teenagers try new things and this often means experimentation with cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana. There are four common reasons why teenagers continue to drink and use drugs after their initial experiment; relaxation (cope with stress), intoxication (they like the way it makes them feel), to feel grown up and to fit in with their peers.
Most people grow out of this experimental phase within a few years but others do not and that is when the problem really begins.
You can speak with a counselor today about how to help a loved one who drinks or uses drugs.
Addiction and alcoholism at their core are childhood illness. They stem from childhood matters that are anything but childish matters. Substance abuse usually starts as a ritualistic social event but for a material percentage of people it will develop into a lifestyle which leads to lower income, underdeveloped social skills, strained relationships, mental health problems and shortened life spans.
We know that females who drink or use drugs are at a markedly greater likelihood of being raped while under the influence. We also know that the physical consequences for females that abuse drugs and alcohol are much greater compared to their male counterpart. This may account for the markedly lower percentages of female addicts and alcoholics. However, the percentages of women who abuse drugs and alcohol and become addicts and alcoholics has risen over the past several years.
We know that many more men than women will succumb to the effects of drugs and alcohol. It is also known that these effects tend to be much more serious for men than for their female counterparts. Many Contra Costa County men will shorten their life spans by as much as 25% due to alcohol and drug abuse. Male alcoholics and drug addicts also run a much higher risk of developing diseases such as Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, Hepatitis C, HIV, Beri Beri and others.
Alcohol and drug abuse has a broad and significant impact on the overall health and well being of all Contra Costa County residents. Addictive behaviors drive up Contra Costa County health care costs, crime prevention costs, judicial costs, education costs, etc...
Drug and alcohol abuse plays a significant role in just about every other problem facing Contra Costa County such as violent crime, sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s), child abuse, child neglect, suicide, teen pregnancy, accidents, injuries, domestic violence, homelessness and mental health disorders.
Contra Costa County adolescents reported two major consequences related to teenage alcohol abuse; fighting and unwanted/unprotected sex. Approximately one third of all Contra Costa County teenagers reported driving an automobile after drinking or using drugs or being in a car with a driver who recently drank alcohol or used drugs.
Contra Costa County alcoholism and drug addiction prevention programs promote individual and familial health for all age groups. Many county and public organizations are designing creative and effective solutions to help Contra Costa County residents recover from alcoholism, prescription medication addiction and illicit drug addiction.
The goal of drug addiction and alcoholism prevention is to free alcoholics and drug addicts from their dependence to alcohol and drugs, improve their physical and mental health and develop warning signs to head off relapse.
Alcohol, prescription medication and drug detox centers that effectively detoxify their clients in an inpatient drug and alcohol rehab facility tend to show greater results than outpatient alternatives.
Find a drug rehab center or alcohol treatment facility in Contra Costa County by calling our Addiction hotline.
|
