While you can’t ever guarantee that something you do is going to prevent someone else from developing a substance use disorder or addiction, it is still important to try to help all you can with this. October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month and it is a great time to help yourself and others prevent substance abuse.
Before going into how you and others can do this, it is vital that anyone who is currently struggling with substance abuse gets treatment as soon as possible. Here at Midwood Addiction Treatment Center, we have many addiction rehab treatments for you or your loved one.
Now, let’s go into how you can help prevent substance abuse during October, the National Substance Abuse Prevention Month.
Understanding More About How Substance Abuse Comes About
Substance abuse doesn’t always start the same way in everyone’s life. For instance, there are people of many different ages who develop an addiction. There are also people from different walks of life, careers and locations that abuse alcohol and/or drugs, too.
With this being said, there are some common ways that substance abuse may start including:
- Taking any type of addictive drug (whether that is prescribed or illicit)
- Trying to get intoxicated when you drink or high when you use drugs
- Abusing any addictive, prescription medications
- Drinking for social reasons or purposes
- Taking drugs to self-medicate mental health issues
Do you relate to these situations? If you or a loved one have been doing these things, it is best to get clean and sober right away. You can start in a medical detox program, so that you have a better chance of preventing a relapse. Then, you can move into one of our Midwood Addiction Treatment Center rehab programs.
Our team can help you to deal with any of these scenarios. If you don’t have an addiction, but you are concerned about a loved one developing these issues, talk to them about it. If they are having a difficult time in life, be there to support them. By doing so, you may be able to help prevent them from abusing alcohol and/or drugs.
Avoiding Peer Pressure and Temptation
Two of the reasons why many people become addicted to alcohol and/or drugs are peer pressure and temptation. These two reasons can be sneaky or they can be quite transparent. For example, you may think that you are just having a drink or two that turns into 10 with your friend when they are having a tough time in life. This could be one sneaky way that addiction develops in your life. It could also be more transparent – such as your best friend always playing drinking games with you to see who can get the most drunk.
Whether your peers are trying to pressure you into using alcohol or drugs or you are tempted to do so because someone else in your life is using them or you are having a tough time in life, don’t do it. Sure, it is easier said than done. However, it is always best to prevent an addiction before it develops. During National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, we want you to work with your loved ones to support one another in healthy ways, so that more people aren’t abusing substances.
Developing Healthy Coping Skills
Another way that you can prevent addiction during National Substance Abuse Prevention Month is by developing or helping someone else to develop healthy coping skills. There are far too many people who are abusing alcohol and/or drugs due to feeling depressed, anxious, stressed or having other bad feelings or experiences.
It is best to work on developing healthy coping skills. That way, you or others don’t feel the need to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. If needed, you can always attend therapy and other treatment services to work on these skills.
Understanding Risk Factors
It is also crucial that you and others know about the risk factors for substance abuse. The more you know about the risk factors, the more you can keep yourself and help others stay out of addictive situations.
Some of the common risk factors surrounding substance abuse include:
- Family history of addiction
- Peer pressure
- Trauma
- High stress levels
- Obstacles in life
- Grief
- Negative environment
If you or a loved one have any of these risk factors for substance abuse, be sure to get support as soon as possible. Having a support system and possibly going to therapy or other treatments can help to prevent an addiction before it begins. If you already have a substance use disorder due to these reasons or any others, reach out to us here at Midwood Addiction Treatment Center for help today.
Creating a Well-Balanced Life
Last, but not least, creating a well-balanced life is going to help you and others to prevent substance abuse before it starts. If you or your loved one already abuse alcohol and/or drugs, creating a well-balanced life in recovery can help you to get clean and sober and prevent a relapse, as well.
Some of the ways thaty ou can create a well-balanced life include:
- Developing healthy, realistic, and achievable goals for your present life and your future
- Focus on the present instead of the past or future
- Do daily meditations or positive mantras
- Create morning, afternoon, and evening routines
- Stick to a schedule
- Say “no” to people if you aren’t able to do something or if it isn’t good for your life at the time
Using these tips is going to help you create the life you deserve. It is also going to help you see that alcohol and drugs aren’t good for your life. If you are concerned about a loved one developing a substance use disorder during National Substance Abuse Prevention Month or at any other time, please share these tips with them, as well.
Help to Prevent Substance Abuse During National Substance Abuse Prevention Month
October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. Be sure that you follow the tips above, so that you or your loved one can prevent substance abuse now and in the future. If you or a loved one already abuses alcohol and/or drugs, there are treatments available here at Midwood Addiction Treatment Center that can help you to get clean and sober and into recovery.
Contact us today, to help prevent substance abuse or to get treatment for a substance use disorder.