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Facts About Substance Abuse

• One in four Americans has a primary family member who is struggling with addiction.

• The stigma associated with addiction is one of the greatest challenges to recovery. Each year only 10 percent of Americans who need alcohol and drug treatment get the help they need.

• One very common belief is that drug abusers should be able to just stop taking drugs if they are only willing to change their behavior. Drug addiction is a disease that impacts the brain and because of that, stopping drug abuse is not simply a matter of willpower.

• Over time the changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person’s self control and ability to make sound decisions, and at the same time send intense impulses to take drugs.  It is because of these changes in the brain that it is so challenging for a person who is addicted to stop abusing drugs.

• Currently within our community, the number of gay men using crystal methamphetamine (Tina, Crystal, Speed, Zip, Cristy, Meth, poinT, PnP) is expanding and is tied to HIV, especially among youth. There is no leading campaign to fight the epidemic of crystal abuse.

Fortunately, Metropolitan Charities can offer outpatient treatment and counseling options that help people to counteract addiction’s powerful disruptive effects and regain control.

(Source: www.nida.nih.gov)