With nearly 14 million Americans – 1 in 13 adults – abusing alcohol according to the NIAA(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism), Journey Healing Centers releases tips for addressing this disease and treatment resistance with loved ones who have a drinking problem during April’s Alcohol Awareness Month and beyond. Everyone knows someone who drinks too much, yet less than 25% of those who deserve alcohol treatment get help according to the NIAA. To educate everyone on the costs and facts about alcoholism, these tips provide information for how to get loved ones back and address the top three resistors to treatment.
1. “It’s not a disease.” - Many still resist help because of the perception that alcoholism is not really a disease and is associated with a social stigma. Even though the World Health Organization has officially classified alcoholism as a disease, many deny reality. Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease with a strong need to drink despite negative consequences. The three drinking problem signs are cravings, loss of control, and physical dependence.
2. “I don’t have time.” - If someone says they don’t have time for treatment, remind the alcoholic of how much time is invested on a daily, weekly and monthly basis getting drunk. Another effective approach is to bring up how long getting drunk has been their top priority over relationships with loved ones. When calculated in days, compare this large number to a 30, 60 or 90-day treatment program, and it won’t seem so long.
3. “I don’t have the money.” - If the alcoholic is concerned about costs, check out non-profits or treatment programs that accept insurance while simultaneously pointing out how much money is spent on a daily, weekly and monthly basis getting drunk. Many private treatment centers offer financing options as well. “When a loved one’s life is at stake with addiction, families always find a way to cover treatment costs. It’s a very low fee when compared to the cost of drinking or even losing the person to addiction,” Lisa Lannon, Co-Founder Journey Healing Centers shares, “Spending the money on my husband’s treatment was one of the best investments I have ever made. It saved not only our marriage, but his life.”
Alcohol-related problems cost the US economy an estimated $185 billion annually in lost productivity and earnings according to the US Department of Health and Human Services, which makes it difficult to overlook the real cost of alcohol addiction.
If alcoholism is ignored, the emotional scars can take families decades or even a lifetime to heal. As Dr. Ravi Chandiramani, Journey Healing Centers Medical Director, explains, “The goal is to offer effective treatment options for alcoholism at a cost and within a timeframe that allows the majority of those seeking treatment for their disease to choose into treatment and thereby choose into life.”
Background:
Journey Healing Centers operates drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in Arizona and Utah, and has been featured on MTV's Gone Too Far, PBS, ABC News 15 Phoenix and in People Magazine. Journey Healing Centers has supported thousands dealing with addictions through Residential Programs, Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), Sober Living Homes, Aftercare and a Free 24-Hour Hotline with Addiction Specialists: 1-866-774-5119. http://journeyrecoverycenters.com/
Media Contact:
Liz Brown
Journey Healing Centers
310-795-1485
