Addiction treatment services that use proven effective methods can help to break the cycle of addiction. Substance abuse disorders have reached epidemic proportions in the United States, according to the National Institute of Health. Substance abuse disorders can affect anyone at any time in their life. Here is what you need to know.

1. Comorbidity Disorders

Substance abuse disorders are a mental health disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They are typically a comorbid disorder, which means there are usually underlying disorders that have yet to be diagnosed. Self-medicating with substances, whether legal or illegal, masks the underlying issue.

Addiction treatment services help to unveil the underlying cause of the substance abuse disorder. Treating both a substance abuse disorder and the underlying cause of the problem is the best road to recovery. Professional help is essential in addressing substance abuse disorders.

2. Legal and Illicit

Unfortunately, many people believe that if they are addicted to a "legal" substance, it is not as drastic as being addicted to an illicit or "illegal" substance. The truth is, whether it is prescription medication or street drugs, substance abuse is substance abuse, and it has the same negative effects. Alcohol is legal, prescription medication is legal, and both can be just as abused as street corner drugs.

Distinguishing one addiction from another based on the legality of the substance doesn’t change the outcome. Substance abuse in any form is detrimental to a happy life. Addiction treatment can help.

Risk Factors of Abuse

There is a body of research that has been conducted to try to isolate the risk factors of substance abuse. For example, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, about 70% of people who tried drugs before the age of 13 developed a substance abuse disorder during the seven years following that first-time use.

Other risk factors include environmental factors, family history of substance abuse, and underlying mental health disorders. No one can predict who will abuse substances. Substance abuse crosses all socioeconomic groups, genders, education levels, and other demographics. In other words, no one is immune from developing this disorder.

While substance abuse disorders are not exclusive to any group, there is one thing that can break the cycle. Professional addiction treatment services can help you take back your life. Call us at 4th Dimension Recovery Centers today to break the cycle.