Alcohol and Drug Rehab for Adults

Adults are unquestionably the group of people who are most vulnerable to the perils and fallout of drug and alcohol addiction. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there were over 70,000 overdose deaths in 2017, an overwhelming majority of which occurred among Americans aged 18 years of age and over. The increase from prior years of overdose deaths among adults was so significant that it has actually decreased US life expectancy from 78.7 to 78.6 years of age. Data from the agency also indicates that in 2016, adults aged 25–34, 35–44, and 45–54 had the highest rates of drug overdose deaths. The vulnerability of this population to substance use disorder mandates specialized alcohol and drug rehab for adults.

What Does Alcohol and Drug Rehab for Adults Offer?

Alcohol and drug rehab for adults addresses the psychological origins and impact of drug or alcohol addiction in adult patients. The reality is that adults face a number of medical and psychological health issues that render them vulnerable to addiction that often mandates clinical treatment and exploration in a therapeutic environment. Rehab for adults can occur in a variety of formats, including 12-step or faith-based (AA or NA models), secular and science-based (SMART Recovery), and a variety of others.

Patients with a more extended history of substance abuse and those who have suffered serious psychiatric and lifestyle issues as a result of prolonged and untreated substance use may require an inpatient program, which usually includes 30-90 days in a residential treatment environment. For those who are able to manage part of their treatment independently, however, outpatient treatment programs can be incredibly effective. Outpatient adult rehab programs allow patients to attend multiple treatment sessions per week while maintaining their careers, families, and other lifestyle obligations.

While each program will vary based on the philosophy and resources of the facility, most alcohol, and drug rehab programs for adults will feature a combination of:

• Group therapy
• Individualized counseling
• Supplemental therapies (cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, family involvement, motivational interviewing, etc.)
• Aftercare plans

Other elements of rehab may include life skills therapy, sober housing for those who need help transitioning out of their program, and certain types of medication-assisted therapy.

Causes of Addiction Among Adults

Adults find themselves ensnared in addiction for a variety of reasons. Whether they suffer from latent mental health issues associated with the aging process, succumb to the pressures of increased responsibility, are trying to keep their bodies from breaking down through the use of prescription opioids or anything else, adults are more vulnerable than ever to this disease.

At any given point in adulthood, there are adverse circumstances that can be hard to overcome on one’s own, including but not limited to:

• Getting established in your 20s
• Starting a family in your 30s
• Taking care of your family in your 40s
• Planning for retirement in your 50s
• Fighting the physical aging process in your 60s
• Coping with the prospect of mortality in your 70s

More and more adults are self-medicating with drugs and alcohol to manage these and other life issues.

Prevalence of Addiction Among Adults

Adults in every age group, from college-aged men and women to senior citizens, are directly in the crosshairs of multiple types of substance abuse. These issues affect men and women of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Addiction now represents one of the most urgent public health issues in the United States, and its impact on adults factor in heavily to this designation.

Statistics about adults and addiction:

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that youth transitioning into adulthood have some of the highest rates of alcohol and substance abuse. Nearly 30 percent of adults 18 to 20 and over 43 percent of adults 21 to 25 engage in binge drinking.
• The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that young adults are the most affected by the prescription drug epidemic, with 12 percent of 18 to 25 year-olds, and five percent of persons age 26 or older, having used prescription drugs non-medically in the past year.
• Data from the Drug Enforcement Administration reveals that heroin use among college-age adults has risen dramatically over the past five years.
• SAMHSA also reports that nearly two million adults aged 18-25 engage in cocaine abuse every year.
• Data from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health indicates that while marijuana use may be decreasing among teenagers, it’s actually increasing among adults.
• Additionally, senior-aged adults are particularly vulnerable to prescription opioids, while younger adults are abusing stimulants at higher rates than any age group.

Recognizing the Need for Addiction Rehab in Adults

It can be hard to confront an adult about their alcohol or drug abuse, as it can be viewed as an attack and lead to escalating confrontation. Children of parents who abuse drugs or alcohol often have a
particularly difficult time with the authority dynamics involved with talking to their mother or father about their use. Additionally, the lines between acceptable use and abuse can get blurred, particularly in the case of alcohol and prescription drug abuse.

It can be very hard to tell our adult loved ones and colleagues that they have a substance use issue and need help; however, this is often the only way to guide them toward treatment.

Some of the primary indicators that an adult in your life may need substance abuse treatment include:

• The decline in professional performance
• The sudden unexpected loss of savings
• Constantly watching the clock for their next prescription dose
• Dishonesty regarding the level of drinking or drug use
• Extreme changes in mood and behavior
• Sudden and drastic changes in weight
• DUI or other legal troubles related to drinking or drug use
• Neglecting appearance
• Isolated behavior
• Withdrawal symptoms

If you or a loved one, friend, or colleague are experiencing these or any other symptoms related to substance use, start looking for treatment options.

Help Is Out There

While there are more private or employer-based insurance options than ever to treat addiction, the reality is that there are still almost 29 million Americans without health insurance, according to data from the United States Census Bureau. If you’re one of these millions, Medicaid and state-funded treatment may help you pay for all or part of your treatment.

Whether you’ve already built your life or you’re just getting started in adulthood, don’t let addiction derail your future or everything you’ve worked so hard for. Treatment and a better tomorrow are closer than you think.

Resources:

• cdc.gov – Health, United States, 2017 With Special Feature On Mortality
• cdc.gov – Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 1999–2016
• samhsa.gov – Age- and Gender-Based Populations
• drugabuse.gov – Abuse of Prescription (Rx) Drugs Affects Young Adults Most
• getsmartaboutdrugs.gov – Heroin Use By College Age Adults On The Rise
• samhsa.gov – STATE ESTIMATES OF PAST YEAR COCAINE USE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS: 2014 AND 2015
• sciencedaily.com – Daily cannabis use is on the rise among American adults
• samhsa.gov – Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2017