Middle Class Drug Abuse and Domestic Violence

The Connection Between Drug Abuse and Domestic Violence

We have known for a long time that drug abuse is linked to many physical and mental health concerns. Another link is drug abuse and domestic violence.

Among these concerns are certain cancers, other health risks, and mental health disorders like anxiety or depression.

Other concerns related to drug abuse include financial problems, relationship impairments, and an increase in criminal activity.

In recent years, we have begun to understand more about the link between drug abuse and domestic violence, as well. 40-60% of incidents involving intimate partner violence also involve substance abuse.

The best way to avoid these problems is to seek comprehensive care for your drug abuse.

Common Reasons for Drug Abuse

The percentage of incidents involving domestic violence and substance abuse confirms the link we have long suspected.

Middle-class drug use and domestic violence tend to coexist. But why is the connection so strong?

Substance abuse often leads to behavioral changes like fits of rage, violence, anger, and depression.

The fact that so many drugs are easy to obtain contributes to the challenge of avoiding drug abuse.

Drug Abuse is Easy to Start and Difficult to Stop

Including illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, approximately 164.8 million Americans aged 12 and over were past-month substance users.

Both illicit and prescription drugs are used in social settings, celebrations, and times of high stress.

Addictions also run in families and impact whole communities. Peer pressure, ease of access, and a lack of effective resources all make it harder to avoid.

These factors and others contribute to the prevalence of drug abuse in both the country’s general population and the middle-class. Each of these factors also opens the door to a potential increase in domestic violence.

Drug abuse is easy to start and difficult to stop. Many of them may alter your brain chemistry and no one is immune to its effects.

Our Sun City and Surprise facilities are here to help.

When is the Right Time to Seek Help

Regardless of the reason it developed, it is important to seek care for your drug abuse right away.

The best time to get help is as soon as you recognize a problem or behavioral change. But this does not mean that you are beyond help if the problem has progressed from here.

We will meet you where you are in your journey and help guide you in the right direction. You can choose from locations in beautiful Sun City or Surprise, Arizona.

These cities are full of incredible nature scenes, fresh air, and endless opportunities.

Commonly Abused Illicit Drugs

Any amount of illicit drug use can be dangerous. Abuse and addiction may follow quickly, but there are other reasons to avoid it, as well.

Whether you are using illicit drugs to cope with stress or an underlying mental health condition, the benefits never outweigh the risks.

Over time, drug abuse will cause more pain than it will ease. If left unchecked, illicit drug abuse can derail your life, career, finances, or family.

Commonly Abused Drugs

A few of the most commonly abused drugs in this category include marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids like “spice” or K2, and the synthetic opioid heroin.

Although marijuana is now legal in some states, it is still known to be addictive and impair your short-term memory, focus, coordination, and learning abilities. Synthetic cannabinoids were created to provide an alternative, but these are not safer than traditional marijuana.

They are typically more potent and powerful and their effects are not always easy to predict. In some cases, these synthetics have produced severe and life-threatening side effects. Heroin is another dangerous synthetic.

It mimics the effects of prescription opioids but is also more potent and may be more affordable. We can address each of these addictions in our Surprise and Sun City facilities.

Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs often come with an additional and unique set of problems. Because they have been given by a doctor, many people falsely assume that they cannot be dangerous.

Some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs include opioid pain relievers, stimulants, and central nervous system depressants (sedatives and tranquilizers). Opioids are used to relieve pain and relax the body, but they can be highly addictive and overdoses and death are common.

The attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder prescription drugs, Ritalin and Adderall, are two of the most commonly abused stimulants. With these, heart problems, psychosis, anger, and paranoia are more likely.

Central nervous system depressants like Valium and Xanax are used to treat anxiety, while others like Ambien and Lunesta are used as sleep aids. Central nervous system depressants include a variety of sedatives, tranquilizers, and hypnotics.

Because they slow your brain activity, they can impair your concentration, speech, movement, memory, and breathing.

Violence and Drug Abuse

Drug abuse can impact everything from your behavior to your physical health. Your mental health, finances, work, and personal relationships can be impacted.

Accidents, arrests, and other criminal activities are often linked with drug abuse, as well. Violence and drug abuse are linked in a variety of ways. For one, an increase in criminal activities always correlates to an increased risk of violence.

Drugs that impair your decision-making abilities or alter your brain chemistry can also increase your tendency to become violent. Even if you were not violent before doing drugs, this may change after you begin abusing drugs.

In addiction health, drug abuse and violence are seen as cause and consequence.

Drug Abuse and Domestic Violence

Since drug abuse increases the risk of you becoming violent, it makes sense that it is so often involved in domestic violence cases.

We have seen the connection between drug abuse and physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as accidental physical injuries. Even a kind and a patient person can be changed and lose themselves in their drug abuse.

No one begins using drugs with the intent to become more violent, but good intentions alone will not prevent this unfortunate outcome.

The reasons for beginning drug abuse do not hold much weight when it comes to what happens next. Whether you started with a genuine medical need or a curiosity, the outcome may not be what you are looking for.

Treating your drug abuse in our Sun City or Surprise facility can help you put an end to the vicious cycle of drug abuse and domestic violence.

You do not have to face this alone. You are not stuck or alone. Help is available as soon as you are ready to accept it.

Depending on your addiction, mental health, and needs, we will help you choose the right program. It may be inpatient, outpatient, or an option in-between.

Paying for Drug Rehab

The cost for each of our rehab programs is different. We build customized plans based on your needs, not cookie-cutter programs that we expect you to bend and fold into.

The cost of your program will vary according to your needs. For example, an inpatient stay involves 24-hour care and support and typically includes a medical detox.

With the additional medical attention, support, and housing, this type of program would naturally cost more than an outpatient program that allows you to live at home and attend weekly therapy sessions and meetings at the facility before returning to your home, family, and work obligations.

However, inpatient care is often more effective and costs should not deter you from getting the right kind of care. At both our Surprise and Sun City rehab centers, we accept most major health insurance providers.

Your program may be covered in part or in full. Call us today for a fast and free insurance verification. Our addiction specialist will also outline alternative payment options if you do not have health insurance to work with.

Emerald Isle Drug Rehab Centers

Choosing Emerald Isle means choosing dedicated experts who care about the outcome of your comprehensive treatment program.

It means choosing knowledgeable teams of medical and addiction health experts who have chosen to dedicate their lives to this worthy cause.

We have spent years developing research and science-based addiction treatments, as well as holistic and creative care methods for a well-rounded recovery.

You will have to commit to doing the work but we will be here to help you through it every step of the way.

That is how you know that you are in the right place.