As a society, America has always had to deal with issues involving alcoholism. More recently, the country has also been experiencing the effects of a rather significant opioid addiction epidemic. The abuse of opioids like heroin is not a new problem, but the problem has certainly gotten a lot more serious. For the most part, it’s fair to say opioids and alcohol are having a significant impact on how people are living their lives.
More About the Effects of Opioids and Alcohol
Looking at the combination of these two substances, it becomes clear a majority of the country’s addiction issues fall into one of these two categories. In the case of alcohol, we are dealing with a socially acceptable substance. The people who fall victim to alcoholism are the ones who have significant underlying personal/emotional issues.
Opioids create a more complex problem. Some opioids, namely prescription medications, are useful. On the other side of the ledger, we see illicit substances like heroin and fentanyl. Both categories of opioids are contributing to the opioid addiction epidemic, but some of the substances are still necessary.
There seems to be only one viable way to combat the problems we see because of opioids and alcohol addiction. That’s to make sure there’s sufficient access to addiction treatment facilities. At our Crest View Recovery Center facilities, we do our best to provide a level of care that will hopefully make a difference. If other facilities follow suit, there is always a chance we can get these issues under control.
Addictions to More Than One Substance
When someone is abusing multiple substances with no preference, they are guilty of polysubstance abuse. It’s interesting that people who abuse multiple substances tend to use alcohol as one of their substances of choice. It most likely has something to do with the affordability and easy access.
Polysubstance abuse usually comes in one of two scenarios. In the first scenario, the individual will use substances that provide the opposite effects. For instance, a heroin user might use heroin as a downer to help them relax and escape from stress. As a countermeasure, they might use cocaine to lift them up to be able to function at work.
Under the other scenario, the user will typically use multiple substances that produce similar effects. The heroin user might include alcohol in their regimen to enhance the passive effects of both substances. Without exposing themselves to the threat of an overdose to one of the substances, they can get a “little higher” by enhancing the high with two separate substances at the same time. Unfortunately, the problem with this approach is it exposes the user to deeper issues regarding their physical and mental health.
About Crest View Recovery Center
With three centers operating in North Carolina, we believe we are offering excellent coverage of the area’s addiction issues. Our goal in treatment is to maximize the effectiveness of treatment with a straightforward approach. Our approach includes the following options:
- Intensive outpatient treatment programs (up to 8 hours a day)
- Outsourced detox programs
- Trauma therapy
- Dual diagnosis treatment with addiction as the primary condition
- Holistic therapies like yoga, meditation, equine and recreational
If you have a problem with both opioids and alcohol, you are sitting in a high-risk category. Before things go terribly wrong, we hope you will reach out to Crest View Recovery Center for help. You can learn more about our facilities and services by calling one of our representatives at this number, 8663272505.
