At Emerge Healing Center, we know that people from all walks of life encounter substance addiction. The disease does not pick and choose who to affect based on gender, age, ethnicity, profession, or anything else.
We are dedicated to providing the best treatment plan available to our clients and want anyone, no matter the situation, to feel seen and cared for.
Professionals
One class of people who often hide their addiction well are professionals. This includes any working individual, such as a healthcare professional, pilot, dentist, teacher, or another profession. Due to being able to maintain some level of normalcy, most likely in their career, they either don’t realize they have a problem with addiction or don’t think it is bad enough to seek treatment.
Another huge factor that inhibits professionals from asking for help is the fear of losing their careers. They are afraid that if they speak up, all is lost. The good news is that this does not have to be the case.
College Students
Perhaps an obvious group, college students are extremely susceptible to forming a drug or alcohol addiction. Typically young and in a transition phase of life, they sometimes don’t use drugs and alcohol responsibly. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that the rates of drug abuse are increasing among college students.
With parties and bar hopping the norm for college students, alcohol is the most used drug on campuses. However, other drugs such as Adderall, marijuana, opioids, and cocaine are also common, sometimes used to focus on classes.
If you notice a college student in your life isolating themselves or behaving differently, don’t ignore them.
Veterans
According to NIDA, substance use disorder (SUD) in veterans is slightly higher than in the general population. More than one in ten veterans have been diagnosed with a SUD. They also are more prone to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can lead to substance misuse and addiction. Veterans are also at a higher risk for suicide, homelessness, and trauma.
Parents
A survey done in 2017 by SAMHSA found that of children residing in a two-parent household, about 3.1 percent of them had at least one parent with a drug use disorder. For single-parent households that percentage went down to 2.6
This makes it clear that parents, just as much as anyone, can and do have substance addictions. Sometimes this means that they don’t seek help out of fear of losing their families, or the belief that no one else can take care of their families if they take time for treatment.
Anyone
While the above groups are prime examples of individuals who may be experiencing a substance addiction, the reality is that anyone can have this disease. Instead of turning a blind eye, choose to help yourself or a loved one today by finding treatment that guides them on the path to recovery.
Getting Treatment
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance addiction, hope is not lost, and help is available. If you have questions or are ready to start your recovery journey, we’re here to help. Contact our skilled addiction and mental health professionals at Emerge Healing Center to learn more about our treatment and program options.