Drug addiction concerns in Louisiana, as well as around the country, are a major issue. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS),
- 59.277 million or 21.4% of people 12 and over have used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs within the last year.
- 9.5 million or 3.8% of adults over the age of 18 have both a substance abuse disorder (SUD) and a mental illness.
- In 2018, nearly 19 million people aged 12 and older needed substance abuse treatment.
Drug addiction, the physical and mental reliance on drugs, interferes with people’s lives. Unfortunately, Louisiana has a continuing problem with drug addiction throughout the state. Here is a deeper look at some of the drug addiction concerns in Louisiana.
Drug Use Among All Ages
One of the biggest problems with drug use is that it affects all age groups. It may seem to affect younger people disproportionately, but that is partly because many of the older people that are addicted to drugs do not survive into their later years.
Since drug use is universal among age groups, it is also more difficult to convince anyone that they need to seek treatment. Drug use may appear to be normalized and so misuse or abuse may be difficult to recognize or address.
The Cost of Addiction Treatment May Be Prohibitive
Another major concern is the cost of treatment. Like other illnesses, health insurance may be inadequate or non existent. Too many of the people who need treatment don’t have the financial resources. There is a growing concern within the drug treatment industry that the people who need treatment the most are the ones that are unable to afford care and treatment. Finding access to both government and private institutions willing to provide resources and access to treatment at little or no cost to the patient is often critical. Medicare will pay for treatment of alcoholism and substance use disorders in both inpatient and outpatient settings. There are charities that are working to help those who are struggling with addiction and to bring awareness and education to the public on this deadly illness.
People With Addiction Often Don’t Seek Treatment Right Away
People who suffer from drug addiction are often reluctant to seek treatment. This delay in treatment means worse long-term outcomes, such as chronic medical problems and increased risk of illness or death related to drug use. In the state of Louisiana, the Office of Drug Policy seeks to elicit, motivate and coordinate Louisiana organizations, agencies, entities and individuals toward the goal of eradicating drug and alcohol abuse in Louisiana.
There are many reasons why people resist seeking drug addiction treatment. One common reason is that they do not know how to find a treatment option that works for them. Fortunately, this is improving as treatment facilities and groups looking to help people with drug addiction are making it easier to find treatment options and connect with care providers. Here in Lousiana, the Serenity Treatment Center of Louisiana is a wonderful facility that has two campuses in Baton Rouge, with the space and staff to help those with drug abuse problems get the help they want.
Drug Treatment Options Are Available
Drug treatment options are available; you just have to connect with the right care provider. This is easier than you may think. Facilities like the Serenity Treatment Center of Louisiana offer treatment options that can help most people transition into an effective drug addiction recovery.
If you are unsure what type of treatment you need, the best way to find out is to contact a treatment center. The treatment process always begins with an assessment so that care providers can adjust the treatment process to your needs or refer you to a different type of treatment if you need it. Just take the first step by contacting a treatment center and let them help you from there.
Contact Serenity Treatment Center of Louisiana
Gaining admissions isn’t a hard process when you work with the Serenity Treatment Center of Louisiana. If you have drug addiction concerns, we are committed to helping you set your life in a healthier direction with the resources needed to handle drug addiction. Contact the Serenity Treatment Center of Louisiana by calling us at (225) 361-0899 or filling out our online form.
