Many Alcoholics Are Going Without Treatment

According to the 2008 data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) survey,  there were 19.3 million people in the United States who fell under the criteria for needing alcohol treatment. However, only about 8% of these people actually ended up going into a rehabilitation facility.  The survey also found that while another four and a half percent realized they had an alcohol problem, they decided not to get help through some form of treatment.

In addition, the survey states that the remaining 87% neither received nor perceived a need for rehab. The criteria looked at for treatment was withdrawal, tolerance, legal troubles, alcohol use in dangerous situations and interference of alcohol in obligations such as home, school and/or work.

The reasons for those not getting treatment varied. Some people reported not being ready to quit abusing alcohol while others stated that cost and insurance barriers got in the way of going into a rehabilitation facility.

To many in the addiction treatment field, these reasons are not surprising. “The two main barriers to getting into a rehabilitation program that we have seen are the ones outlined by SAMHSA,” explains Erica Catton Director of Promotion for Narconon Eastern U.S. “But with more than 8% of our population addicted to alcohol, making successful treatment more available is the best solution to ending this problem.”

Alcohol abuse and addiction cost Americans billions of dollars and many thousands of lives each year.  It is also a major contributing factor in many other societal problems, such as the spread of disease, domestic violence, teen pregnancy and automobile accidents.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there is an average of 79,000 alcohol-related deaths each year and excessive alcohol use is currently the third leading lifestyle-related cause of death for citizens of the United States.

“There was no doubt in my mind as to whether something extremely tragic would result from my drinking,” claims a former alcoholic named Aaron. “I was very fortunate to not have killed someone else or myself because of all of the stupid things I did when I was drunk.  Thankfully my family found the right help for me before it was too late.”

Aaron went to a Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation center and has now been sober for ten years.  Narconon has several long-term treatment facilities throughout the country that have a success rate of more than 70% for permanent sobriety.

To help get yourself, or a loved one struggling with an alcohol problem, into a rehabilitation facility that provides long term results, contact Narconon today at 877-237-3307.