How people progress from casual, social use to abuse to alcoholic and addictive behavior is complex. We know that Santa Cruz County residents tend to begin their substance use during adolescence. Adolescence is a time when teenagers try new things and this often means experimentation with cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana. There are four typical reasons why young people 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.
Many people just grow out of this experimental phase but some do not and that is when the serious problems begin.
You can speak with a counselor today and find answers to your questions.
Addiction at its core is a childhood illness. It stems 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 will often lead 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. We also know that these effects tend to be much more serious for men than for their female counterparts. Many Santa Cruz 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 rare 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 Santa Cruz County residents. Addictive behaviors drive up Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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.
Santa Cruz County adolescents reported two major consequences related to teenage alcohol abuse; fighting and unwanted/unprotected sex. Approximately one third of all Santa Cruz 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.
Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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 opiate 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 by calling our Addiction hotline.
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