Is It Possible To Recover? Drug & Alcohol Recovery Statistics

Is It Possible To Recover From Drug & Alcohol Addiction?

Drug abuse, alcohol addiction, and substance dependency can feel like a trap that’s impossible to escape. Drug and alcohol abuse is often a vicious cycle, with substance users feeling like they need to “get over” physical withdrawal symptoms or deal with deep-seated trauma, guilt, and other psychological issues.

Many people suffering from substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder take some time to seek addiction treatment and when they do, it doesn’t always work the first time. For many people who do achieve recovery, it remains an ongoing process. 

As stated by the NIH, “Like other chronic diseases such as heart disease or asthma, treatment for drug addiction usually isn’t a cure. But addiction can be managed successfully.” This means you need to find a way to manage your disease – or help your loved one manage their disease. To manage an addiction, you need to get to the root of the mental health issues that may have led you toward substance use or developed as a part of it.

With several recovery programs to choose from, you may have tried one before – but just because a 12-step program didn’t work, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to heal with counseling and proper support. Alcoholics Anonymous works for some people, but it’s based in spirituality and is a non-professional organization that doesn’t deal with mental health issues in many cases.

At Zinnia Healing, we specifically offer treatment for co-occurring disorders, whether you are in inpatient, outpatient, or therapy treatment. If you feel like it’s time to talk about what you need to get better, why not get in touch with us today to begin the treatment process? 

Addiction and Drug Use Statistics in America

NIH research from 2020 states that alcohol-related deaths were up by 25% in 2019-20, and alcohol sales jumped by almost 3% during the pandemic. Additionally, over 48,000 people in the US died of opioid overdoses in 2020 alone. The growth of fentanyl as an addition to street drugs has made this worse.

Clearly, alcohol addiction and drug addiction are huge problems in the USA and health care isn’t doing enough to help. But how, when, and why do Americans choose to recover? Using drugs is normal to many, and addiction to prescription drugs is a huge issue for Americans.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration claims that around 75% of people over 25 who perceive themselves as having had an alcohol or drug problem now think of themselves as recovered. This drops to 63% in those under 25, but that’s not surprising. 

The drop may be because teens are using fewer drugs. The 2021 report saw the largest drop since the first Monitoring the Future survey in 1975. It is possible the pandemic has had an effect, with teens socializing less and therefore having fewer chances to experiment with drugs and alcohol.

Among older adults, however, alcohol is the most misused drug. In fact, between 2001 and 2013, there was a 107% increase in admissions to addiction treatment centers for those over 65. 

According to a 2018 NIH infographic on the comorbidity of substance misuse and mental health disorders, 37.9% of the 20.3 million Americans who suffer from substance use disorders or addiction also have mental health disorders. 

This is why a dual diagnosis approach to treatment is often necessary. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol or substance abuse, get in touch with us at Zinnia Healing today. We offer counseling, inpatient and outpatient care, therapy, and medical detox. Call our helpline 24/7 at (855) 430-9439 to get started.

Addiction Recovery Rate Statistics

If you are deep within the throes of addiction or substance misuse, recovery can seem impossible. Yet, approximately 10% of Americans consider themselves in recovery from addiction or substance use disorder.  

Even better news, a 2018 CDC study claims that an amazing three out of four people who struggle with addiction eventually recover. 

As hard as recovery may seem, you should keep in mind that it absolutely is possible to recover with the right program when you are ready to do so. Once again, according to the NIH, people resist entering treatment for a wide variety of reasons:

• 52.2% believe they cannot afford it
• 23.8% simply don’t know where to turn
• 23.0% believe they can deal with their issues themselves
• 13.6% are afraid there will be consequences, such as being committed 
• 12.4% are afraid of the judgment of neighbors
• 11.1% don’t believe that treatment will help
• 10.6% believe they don’t have time
• 10.1% are afraid that having been in treatment negatively could affect their future prospects

Key Factors That Can Support Recovery

As well as finding a program that works for you and supports your needs, it’s important to surround yourself with supportive people. Being honest with family, friends, and other loved ones will create a support network that will be there for any slips or relapses and aware of your needs as they navigate recovery.

SAMHSA also advocates for advanced support networks for recovery. These can be made up of professionals or peers, and encourage continued abstinence or control of substance use during the outpatient stages of treatment and beyond. 

Assistance in building these networks should be a part of a good treatment program.

At Zinnia Healing, we make sure every one of our patients builds a support network that will serve them. Call us 24/7 at (855) 430-9439 to get started. Whether you need inpatient care, outpatient support, detox, or therapy, we will provide everything you need to achieve independence and sobriety. 

What About Drug & Alcohol Relapse Rates?

As someone in recovery, or as a person supporting someone in recovery from alcohol or substance addiction, it’s important to remember that relapse is part of recovery. 

Relapse rates are not insignificant. While up to three-quarters of people with addiction issues recover, very few do so without any slips or relapses. 

Most people attempting to recover from drug and alcohol addiction take an average of five and a median of two serious attempts at recovery before they consider themselves recovered. People with comorbidities, including mental health issues, are more likely to relapse. Black Americans and other minorities are also likely to relapse more times before they recover.

Even within these societal groups, many people do manage to get better and maintain a state of recovery. Help-seeking, hope, and motivation all play parts in how likely a person is to succeed in recovery. Of course, it’s far easier to stay positive and succeed when you can afford your treatment and have a support network that will help you through the ups and downs of recovery from addiction. 

If you are trying to recover at the moment and are finding it tough, remember that relapse is a normal part of recovery over the long term. If you slip and have a drink or use drugs, it isn’t the end of your recovery – you simply need to reset, refocus, and continue on the positive road you are already. This means seeking aftercare once you have undergone detox and addressing underlying mental health conditions.

Get Addiction Help Now: It’s Time to Recover

You can get better. This is proven by the number of Americans who recover from alcohol addiction and drug misuse every year. It may not be simple or easy, but it is possible.

You need to find the right treatment for you – and there are options, no matter your present situation, including family therapy, support groups, and inpatient programs when you need them.

Zinnia Healing can help you through the process. We offer all levels of care, from early intervention to full medical intervention and inpatient services. Whatever you need to get better, we can help. Get in touch with our recovery team to take the first step toward your new life.