TOPICS ON SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (ADDICTION)
From a National Epidemic to what you can do to make a difference, learn all about it from here.
Many times when we discuss global or national issues, our attitude is that the particular problem is someone else’s problem; it affects someone else, not me. Therefore, we can ignore it and go about our business. However, this issue is one that impacts all of us, and we ignore it at our own peril.
Any person can become dependent and it can happen in a variety of ways; whether it is using illegal substances or prescription medication, it can happen quickly or over time. Sadly, 23.5 million Americans ages 12 and older need substance abuse treatment because of their dependence to a chemical substance.
Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. Drug use can severely impact the brain and depending on the length of use and the drug used, it can also result in a person being conditioned to use drugs in order to feel normal.
Parents are in an influential position to immediately help reduce teen access to prescription medicine because medicine is commonly found in the home. But how aware are you of the quantities that are currently in your home? Think about this: Would you know if some of your pills were missing? If your answer is no, here’s what you can do to change that answer.
Substance dependency changes the brain; in many ways it becomes more important for the person to take the drug than to breath. To address that “siren’s song,” it is vital to get help from professionals and address the underlying issues through treatment.
Prevention strategies focus on helping individuals and the community at large to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to make good choices or change harmful behaviors.
In today’s society, people who are “addicted” to a substance may be called a junky, crack head, drug fiend, doper, alkie, souse, wino and many other possible terms. None of them are compliments. What is forgotten, is that those individuals are suffering a treatable disease of the brain, a disease that can touch any person, in any community, in any country.
WEBSITE
HuronCountyProsecutor.com
Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 12PM / 1PM-5PM
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday CLOSED
PHONE
(989) 269-9255
Copyright © 2017 Huron County Prosecutor's Office. All rights reserved.
