Waiting lists for drug abuse treatment too long

Michael Jackson may have been injecting drugs

With the recent death of Michael Jackson, and the speculation surrounding the manner in which he died, drug abuse is being brought back in focus. For 22 million Americans who have a substance abuse problem, that focus couldn’t have come at a better time, especially with prescription drug abuse on the rise among teens, and the formulation of a national health care system being bantered around.

At 1 in 5 teens abusing prescription drugs in America today, we are losing too many kids already. Add in the adults, and we get to the figure of 22 million Americans with a substance abuse problem, many of them trying to get treatment, but unable to afford the costs, and standing in waiting list lines.

One of the basic problems right now in addiction is the waiting lists for treatment if you lack medical insurance, because not enough inpatient, and outpatient spaces are available to handle the load. A 1 week wait will send an opiate addict flying back to the streets for that next hit. While chasing after the rest of the fixes needed to sustain a drug habit until treatment is available, the addict is unable to make the calls, or run the errands necessary to follow through because they’re too busy fending off the ghoulish withdrawal symptoms. Many of the waiting lists for treatment are months long, which is really a problem because many go on using, commit crimes, and end up in prison, where it is over 3 times the cost of sending them to drug treatment.

It is a horrible situation to be in, due to the immediacy, and severity of narcotic withdrawal symptoms. In addition, withdrawals may even rise to the level of being life-threatening, depending on what you are addicted to. The only interest the addict has, however, is sanding down the twisted knots of cravings, stabbing cramps, pain, runny nose, diarrhea, dehydration, excessive anxiety, anguish, skin crawling like a division of battery-powered maggots are squirming beneath the surface, and misery a veteran Hollywood writer couldn’t create. Often, the addict is lost in their pursuit of diminishing withdrawals, and may not be seen, or heard from for 6 months, a year, 2 years, while they’re out committing crimes to sustain their drug habits. In fact, they might never be seen again, until one day a wino comes strolling down an alley looking for pop cans, and stumbles upon a body. Authorities find that the body is an apparent overdose due to containing enough narcotics to level a squad of soldiers. If the addict is lucky, he/or she may end up in prison, often saving the addict from him, or herself. You don’t have to travel down those roads, however.

In the metro Detroit area, there are 3 agencies that will get you the help you need as quickly as possible, and hopefully without a lengthy delay. SEMCA, serving Wayne County residents - not Detroit city residents, DHWP at Herman Keifer for Detroit city residents only, or call the 24 hour access line to get screened right over the telephone for drug treatment. For more info on that, visit drugfreedetroit.org. In Macomb County, contact CARE.

These referral agencies can get you into detox, inpatient, outpatient, methadone, and/or Suboxone treatment. Whether you are an alcoholic, narcotic, crack cocaine, and/or benzodiazepine addict, they can find a program for you. Even sex, and gambling addicts can find help. If you lack insurance, they can assist, also. For all others living outside of Michigan, you can access information on this site to seek help in your area via SAMHSA.

Get the help you need, access these agencies, make the calls. You may not make it through your next run, and could possibly end up in a very uncomfortable position, like prone, 6 feet underground, and pulling on daisy roots, just like the young guy in the video below.
 

Other articles you may like: Is your teen experimenting with drugs?, Memorial - Michael Jackson, tip of iceberg.

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Another victim of prescription drug abuse