Supporting Sobriety With Monetary Donations
By Kristen Shook, Marketing Specialist Eastern Division
Substance Use Disorder Impacts Everyone
Substance use disorder (SUD) can impact anyone. The disease of addiction has a trickle-down effect. Even if you are not prone to substance misuse, there is a high probability a family member or friend battles with the use of drugs or alcohol. According to SAMHSA, 40.3 million people 12 or older had a SUD in 2020. The process of sobriety is not easy, but it is possible.
Addiction is a Disease
Let's break down what makes addiction a disease. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states, “Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences. It is considered a brain disorder because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control.” (3) Studies have shown physiological changes occur due to drug use. The longer an individual uses a substance, the more drastic the impact on the brain. Multiple factors play a part in whether someone is likely to develop SUD.
Risk Factors
Risk factors associated with developing substance use disorders include genetics, environmental factors, and trauma. Research published by Nature Genetics found the genome has over 400 locations which influence substance use with over 500 variants. (4) If a family member struggles with addiction, an individual is more likely to be susceptible to developing the disease than those who do not have a family history of substance use disorder. The environment one grows up in, and often involves themselves in, also plays a major role in the likelihood of developing similar habits to those within the environment. Trauma is another factor to increase the likelihood of substance misuse. Many individuals seek solutions to cope with trauma on their own as a form of self-medication. Without professional guidance and counseling, this could lead to developing substance use disorders.
Substance Misuse and Addiction is Common
Substance use is common; the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found, “Among people aged 12 or older in 2020, 162.5 million people used tobacco, alcohol, or an illicit drug in the past month.” (5) In a society where the use of drugs and alcohol is glamorized and normalized, it is not surprising to see such a massive reporting. The use of any substance increases the likelihood of experimentation with a variety of other types of drugs. With habitual use or experimentation, the chances of developing a substance use disorder rise.
Support Sober
Sobriety is possible. One of Mirror, Inc’s core beliefs is people can and do change. The process of treatment is imperative to building habits which will lead to a life free of addiction. While transforming one’s life, the process of recovery also includes in-depth reflection and addressing triggers. Those who are redefining their life work on developing positive coping mechanisms and systems to make them less likely to relapse. Although relapse can be a part of recovery, it is not a failure in recovery. The journey of recovery is an ever-going process. Having a support system increases the success rate of staying substance-free.
The Philosophy of Mirror, Inc
Our mission is to strengthen people and communities by helping individuals cultivate hope and redefine their lives. Our organization takes pride in helping those who may not traditionally be able to attend or afford treatment. As a nonprofit, our primary source of sustainability comes from grants and donations. We encourage those who wish to help make a difference in the lives of others to consider donating. Funds will go towards helping those who otherwise would not be able to afford their treatment. Please visit www.mirrorinc.org/donate to make a donation. For questions you can contact our Vice President of Business Development, Kay Wentworth, at 316-217-5012 or via email at info@mirrorinc.org.
Sources:
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction#ref