The Transition House Blog

Drug and alcohol abuse affects nearly 22 million people in the United States. Did you know that 1 in 7 people will develop an addiction in their lifetime? Though recovery and sobriety are related, there are important differences you need to understand if you or a loved one is seeking substance abuse treatment and looking to achieve long-term recovery. Let’s take a look at some of the similarities and differences in more detail.

A person with a mental health diagnosis is at higher risk of experiencing an alcohol or substance use disorder. When this happens, it is called a co-occurring disorder. Even so, SAMHSA estimates that nearly 8 million adults in the US struggle with co-occurring disorders. Finding the right treatment that treats both mental health and addiction symptoms is crucial to achieving recovery.

Alcohol and drug addiction affect more than just the person addicted. Loved ones and family members can feel helpless, stressed or confused, and may not know where or how to get help. You are not alone. Addiction touches the lives of millions. The following resources will help you and your family find the support you need.

Opioid addiction - also known as opioid use disorder - affects 2 million people. Opioid drugs were responsible for 33,000 deaths in the US in 2016 and over half of drug overdoses involved opioids. So, what makes opioids so addictive?

Alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a serious disease that affects 17 million people in the US. In fact, excessive alcohol use causes 88,000 deaths a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The good news is that alcohol addiction, just like many other diseases, is treatable and recovery is possible. An addiction treatment program such as medication assisted treatment (MAT) with Vivitrol can help people struggling with alcohol use disorder leave a life of addiction behind.

Addiction is a complex and chronic disease, but it is treatable. Treatment options like medication assisted treatment (MAT) with Suboxone can help you overcome opioid addiction.

Addiction is a complex and chronic disease, but recovery is possible. Addiction treatment like medication assisted treatment (MAT) can help someone with substance or alcohol use disorder achieve recovery and maintain sobriety. By combining behavioral therapy with specific addiction medications, MAT is the safest and most effective option for recovery.

Opioids such as prescription painkillers and heroin are highly addictive. It’s important to know that addiction is not a choice. Addiction is a complex and chronic disease. Like any other medical illness, addiction is treatable. With the right opioid addiction treatment, recovery is possible.

While detoxing from addictive substances is an important component of addiction treatment, it is only the beginning when it comes to achieving sobriety. Creating a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan that includes continuing care is necessary to successfully achieve sobriety and leave behind a life of addiction.

In 2015, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) conducted the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The survey showed that 623,000 adolescents in the US, ages 12-17, struggle with alcohol use disorder. So, what is alcohol use disorder and how can you prevent it?