Substance abuse affects millions of people everyday, damaging individuals, families and entire communities along the way. The social and economic costs of drug and alcohol abuse – including premature death, lost work productivity, higher health insurance costs and increased crime – are immense.
September is Recovery Month, a global initiative promoting the benefits of treatment for substance abuse and mental disorders. As the 30-day observance period in the Cayman Islands winds down, it is important to reflect upon those in recovery by lauding the contributions of treatment providers while signalling that recovery in all forms is possible.
“It should be noted that treatment and recovery are successful only if an individual receives supports,” said Cindy Dilbert, a social worker with the Cayman Islands Department of Children and Family Services. “The person in recovery requires the assistance of family, community, churches self-help groups, governmental and nongovernmental partners, to ensure access to the services necessary to rebuild his or her life and learn to give back to society.”
While alcohol use is deeply embedded in many societies, recent years have seen changes in drinking patterns across the globe. Rates of consumption, drinking to excess among the general population and heavy episodic drinking among young people are on the rise in many countries, according to the World Health Organisation.
Health problems associated with alcohol consumption have reached alarming levels, and alcohol use contributes to a wide range of diseases, health conditions and high-risk behaviours, from mental disorders and road traffic injuries, to liver diseases and unsafe sexual behaviour.
Though the adverse health effects on the body may be somewhat different than those imposed by excessive alcohol use, the damages inflicted by drug abuse and the scars it leaves on society are no less costly throughout the world.
Drug addiction is a brain disease and although initial drug use might be voluntary, drugs have been shown to alter gene expression and brain circuitry, which in turn affect human behaviour. The impact of addiction can be far reaching and cause cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and lung disease can all be affected by abuse, according to the US National Institute of Drug Abuse.
“Prevention is one of the most powerful tools against any anti-social element, which in itself argues for its support,” Ms Dilbert said. “Treatment enables people to counter addiction’s powerful effects on the human brain and behaviour.
Treatment provides addicts with the life skills that allow them to refocus their talents and efforts, regain control of their lives. Recovery is the continuity of the growth process which allows not only addicts to then benefit, but also the society in which they live.”
Treatment for substance abuse is critical for many around the world. Often a formal intervention is necessary to convince the substance abuser to submit to any form of treatment.
Behavioural interventions and medications exist that have helped many people reduce, or discontinue, their substance abuse.
“Spending on addiction intervention programmes is an investment in the entire community,” Ms Dilbert said.
“Not only is the recovering addict’s quality of life improved, but so also are the lives of those with whom the recovering person interacts. Restoring an individual to normalcy has a positive impact on the prevention of crime, disease and the harmful influence of addiction.”
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