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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, sponsors National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month) each September. This celebration aims to improve the lives of those suffering from this disease through treatment and recovery. While many people achieve recovery, there is still a need to continue to educate people about addiction and motivate those who may have a problem to seek help. In 2008, an estimated 23.1 million people needed treatment for a substance use disorder in the United States.1
Stressful experiences may increase the vulnerability of some to turn to addictive substances for relief or to relapse, even after a prolonged abstinence.2 Stress is an all too common issue: an estimated 75 to 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related problems.3 This document outlines issues surrounding stress, substance use, treatment, and recovery.
Stress in Today's World
This year's Recovery Month theme, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever!," emphasizes the increase of stress in our society. It addresses how stress and other external circumstances can contribute to the onset and relapse of substance use disorders, and highlights specific groups affected by these stressors, including:
- Public safety officials, including the military, police, and fire personnel, who have careers in which they frequently put their lives at risk for the safety of others. Up to 20 percent of service members returning from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan disclose symptoms that are consistent with emotional problems or depression.4
- People in the workforce, who can feel tremendously stressed, especially during rough economic times. Such stress puts people who are in recovery from substance use disorders at risk for relapse, while causing others to begin to use alcohol and/or drugs to relieve stress.5
- Older adults, who can find retirement stressful due to the sudden change of pace, financial worries, or health concerns. According to research, 2.5 million older adults and 21 percent of hospital patients older than age 65 have had alcohol-related problems.6 Among people aged 50 to 59, the rate of current illicit drug use increased from 2.7 percent in 2002 to 5.0 percent in 2007.7
- Families, who endure personal stress that can lead to increased use of alcohol and/or drugs. In one study, people who experienced four or more adverse childhood experiences, such as growing up in the home of someone who abused alcohol, had 4- to 12-fold increased risks for alcoholism and drug abuse, compared with those who experienced none.8
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Recovery is Possible
Many people who misuse alcohol and/or drugs can and do recover. Stress may negatively influence treatment effectiveness and can contribute to relapse even for individuals and families in long-term recovery. To combat this, SAMHSA has identified 10 Strategic Initiatives, which focus on improving the delivery of recovery support for many groups, including military families, people affected by financial problems, or those who have experienced trauma.
The following recommendations may help reduce stress when incorporated into daily routines:
- Simplify your life – Figure out which activities are really important in your life and manage the time you have allotted to them wisely. Learn to say "no" to activities that are not necessary.
- Be prepared – Anticipate challenges that may arise at work or with your immediate family, learn to delegate, and, if necessary, allot extra time for projects so they are manageable and not overwhelming.
- Live a healthy lifestyle – Exercise regularly to reduce tension and eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to increase energy and keep stress under control.
- Keep open communication – Let others know when you have trouble and ask for assistance.
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Challenges in Seeking Treatment
While recovery is accessible and possible for many, some people with substance use disorders may feel hopeless and that recovery is out of reach. A staggering 20.8 million people needed but did not receive treatment in 2008.9 People with addictions encounter multiple obstacles that prohibit them from receiving treatment, including:
- Cost – Based on combined data between 2005 and 2008, 37.4 percent of people who needed but did not receive treatment stated they did not have health care coverage or they couldn't afford the cost.10
- Stigma – Although fewer than 20 percent of people in America actually would think less of a loved one who is in recovery from addiction, stigma still exists.11
- Denial – In 2008, an estimated 8.2 percent of people with substance use disorders who did not receive treatment felt they didn't need it.12
- Education – Of those who needed but did not receive treatment between 2005 and 2008, 8.1 percent stated they were unsure where to go for treatment, 8.3 percent felt there was no program for the kind of treatment they needed, and 10.6 percent believed that treatment was inconvenient or had no available transportation.13
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Recovery Resources
A variety of recovery and treatment resources provide a sense of community for those in recovery to share their experiences.
- SAMHSA's National Helpline – Accessed by calling 1-800-662-HELP, or 1-800-487-4889 (TDD), this Helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential information and treatment referrals in English and Spanish.
- SAMHSA's "Find Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment" Web site – This Web site contains resources about mental health, substance abuse, and treatment.
- SAMHSA's "Considerations for the Provision of E-Therapy" Report – This report provides extensive information on the benefits, challenges, and effectiveness of e-therapy.
- Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous – These Web sites offer a variety of resources for individuals suffering from alcohol or drug dependence, and allow them to locate and join a local support group.
- Al-Anon/Alateen and Nar-Anon – These groups provide a community for family members and young people to share experiences and learn ways to cope with their problems related to substance use disorders.
- SoberRecovery – This Web site offers support forums for people in recovery, as well as friends and family members affected by someone's substance use.
- About Recovery – This Web site offers addiction and recovery resources and provides a national helpline that is available 24 hours a day.
Click here for a more in-depth version of this guide.
Information about treatment options and special services in your area can be found by calling 1-800-662-HELP or 1-800-487-4889 (TDD), as well as at http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment.
Inclusion of Web sites and other resources mentioned in this document and on the Recovery Month Web site does not constitute official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
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Sources
1Results from the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, HHS Publication No. SMA 09-4434. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies, September 2009, p. 83.
2Stressful Events Can Influence Drugs, Alcohol Use. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America Web site: http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/DrugIssue/Features/Stressful_Events_Can_Influence_Drug_Alcohol. Accessed July 20, 2009.
3America's No. 1 Health Problem. The American Institute of Stress Web site: http://www.stress.org/americas.htm., Accessed July 10, 2009.
4Fact Sheets: Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress Web site: http://www.centerforthestudyoftraumaticstress.org. Accessed July 22, 2009.
5Substance Dependence and the Economy. Tarzana Treatment Centers Web site: http://www.tarzanatc.org/blog.aspx?PostID=9193e03b-e179-4a88-8e07-d230e772707b. Accessed August 10, 2009.
6New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Treatment Web site: http://www.oasas.state.ny.us/AdMed/FYI/FYIInDepth-Elderly.cfm. Accessed July 15, 2009.
7An Examination of Trends in Illicit Drug Use Among Adults Aged 50 to 59 in the United States. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies, August 2009.
8"Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults." The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. Department of Preventative Medicine, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, 1998.
9Results from the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, September 2009, p. 83.
10Ibid, p. 86.
11"Americans Believe in Prevention and Recovery from Addictions." CARAVAN Survey for SAMHSA on Addictions and Recovery Fact Sheet, September 2008, pp.1-2.
12Results from the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, September 2009, p. 85.
13Ibid, pg. 86.
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