Why Aren’t More People Accessing Addiction Treatment?
By Scott H. Silverman

During this painful overdose epidemic, it’s easy to forget that there's never been a better time to seek professional treatment for a substance use disorder (SUD) than now.  We have more and better therapeutic tools at our disposal than ever before, and that includes medication assisted treatment (MAT), through which we can prescribe medications to reduce cravings and withdrawals.

So why aren’t more people seeking treatment? It’s an important question, and a very nuanced one. Let’s look at some of the major obstacles and see how we can overcome them. Here are some of the most commonly mentioned barriers to treatment:

  • Financial/Cost
  • Geographic Location
  • Stigma

Overcoming Financial/Cost Barriers to Addiction Treatment

People who have some type of insurance should be able to find some form of addiction treatment.  If that insurance is a state insurance (like Medicaid or Medi-cal), the options are fewer. To see what resources are available in your area, contact SAMHSA’s treatment finder website, or call their confidential, 24/7 National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. This interactive Medicaid treatment finder map may also be of some benefit.

Obviously, having a lump sum of cash, or HMO/PPO insurance (or both) will open the doors to more treatment options, but if you are motivated to pursue recovery, it is possible to get and stay sober in almost any program.

Many among us may be struggling with an SUD while functioning with a job, raising a family, etc. and be worried about taking time away for treatment and interrupting your income.  A couple of things to remember in this case are that:

  • The long-term costs of continuing to participate in active addiction will far outweigh the short-term costs of seeking treatment
  • Pursuing treatment for an SUD is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act

For those who have no money and no insurance, finding treatment can be more difficult.  In this case, starting with the SAMHSA Helpline (above) is a great start. In many counties there are clinics that will work with someone even without money.  Be patient as you may be transferred between agencies and have to wait for call-backs or follow-up on your own.

Overcoming Geographic Barriers to Addiction Treatment

The vast majority of addiction treatment facilities are in urban areas. Rural areas lack facilities and doctors to treat addiction, and this is a big problem.

The Rise of Telehealth

One promising development is the proliferation of telehealth throughout the behavioral health industry. This development is a silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to telehealth, people can attend counseling and receive lots of types of treatment remotely, from their cell phone or computer.

To be sure, initial detoxification may be dangerous (and even fatal) and may not be possible through telehealth alone, but many thousands of people are in the process of receiving treatment every day from their device.

Overcoming Stigma-Related Barriers to Addiction Treatment

Addiction is a chronic biological, psychological, and social disease that affects only a portion of the general population. There are some outdated but deeply entrenched beliefs about addiction that are really working against us. These beliefs, like that addiction is a moral failing, have done so much harm to those who need help.  Ask anyone who has had their life torn apart by their addiction, and they’d tell you they wished it was as simple as “just saying no.”

As much as many people with substance use disorders would prefer addiction to not be a chronic, lifelong condition, many studies have shown that it is, in fact, a disease. And unfortunately, like many diseases, it is progressive and often fatal. But, like most diseases, addiction is treatable, and there are many options for those seeking help.

As mentioned above, having an SUD is a protected disability under the ADA, and your place of work should provide non-judgemental help for an SUD if you need it.  But stigma is everywhere and can have devastating effects. Those with a substance abuse disorders fear losing jobs, friends, family, and support simply for being transparent about their struggles. So instead, the individual may attempt to handle their recovery alone and in secret by attempting to use willpower to overcome a chemical imbalance. Unfortunately, using one’s own willpower to achieve abstinence is rarely enough to overcome the powerful disease of addiction.

Make the Call Today

My own recovery began almost 40 years ago when I said the magic words “I need help.” This transformative action is available to everyone who is struggling with an SUD.  There are numbers mentioned in this article, and I implore you to take proactive action today if you or someone you love is struggling with an SUD. Due to the opioid epidemic, 300 families a day are losing their loved ones to fatal overdose. Fentanyl is causing 80% of these overdoses, and it is mixed in with almost every illicit drug, often in fatal doses. For this reason, and many other positive ones, now is a great time to seek help.

 

About the Author

Scott H. Silverman is one of the nation’s leading experts on addiction and recovery.  He’s made countless public speaking engagements and appearances on television to raise the alarm about the opioid epidemic. He is the founder and CEO of Confidential Recovery, an outpatient drug rehab program in San Diego that specializes in helping Veterans, first-responders, and executives achieve long-term recovery.




Comments

Be the first to commment on this article.

Post a Comment

RELATED ARTICLES