Nationwide Survey Shows That Holiday Season Not So Merry for Addicted
Pittsburg County, OK (PRWEB) November 1, 2006
“Those addicted to drugs and/or alcohol suffer more emotional and material losses which leads to escalated drug use resulting in more overdoses, suicide attempts, physical injuries and deaths during the holiday season than any other time of the year,” states Gary W. Smith, CCDC and CEO of Narconon Arrowhead (one of the country’s leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation and education organizations) referring to a nation wide survey just completed by his organization.
According to Smith, a random survey was done on the 33,934 people that have contacted Narconon Arrowhead for help for an addiction problem since January of this year. Narconon Arrowhead has been operating a 1-800 drug information help line for 15 years and an Internet/email drug information site for the last 10 years. “We know from past experience that our websites, email information request line and our 1-800 helpline traffic increases dramatically from Thanksgiving to the end of the year. These people seem to experience more drug and alcohol related emotional and physical problems during the holidays. This year we wanted to find out what drives people to call us and what problems addicts and/or their loved ones are experiencing that prompt them to make contact and reach for help.”
The surveyed group also included 561 people who entered the Narconon Arrowhead program for treatment since January 1st of this year. “The outcome of this survey was a real eye opener for us,” Smith said. There were three very important facts that came from this study: The first being that of those surveyed, 73% reported that addicts or their loved ones seem to experience more problems, upsets and emotionally traumatic situations during the Holiday Season than any other national holiday or event of the year. The second was that 61% of those who entered treatment this year reported that they were motivated to do so because of increasing bouts of addiction related depression and guilt brought on by significant losses in their life which prompted stronger cravings to use and more drug/alcohol use. The four most common types of loss in order were: loss of family relationships; loss of self respect or self esteem; loss of employment; and financial loss or loss of material worth. The third fact noted from the study is that of the people surveyed, nearly 80% did not understand how one becomes an addict and wondered if addiction could ever be cured.
The Narconon Organization has been in operation for over 40 years and Smith has over 30 years of experience in the substance abuse treatment field. In reviewing the results of this survey, Narconon’s Smith speculates that the cravings for drugs and alcohol, linked with the guilt and depression an addict experiences due to their declining quality of life and relationships with family and friends, is magnified during times when family and friends get together to socialize and interact. “The holiday season is the time for family, and when addiction has entered into this relationship it can turn this joyous time into one of severe stress.”
Mr. Smith states the good news is that something can be done about addiction. “Most people afflicted by substance abuse do not grasp the concept of the actual mechanics of addiction which is the first step to take in solving this problem. Once a person can fully understand what is causing a problem, solutions begin to present themselves.” Narconon Arrowhead is gearing up its efforts to make easily understood information available for anyone that wants to learn what addiction is and what can be done about it. “Lives can be saved, families reunited and communities made stronger through understanding the mechanics of addiction and what workable solutions are available.” For more information contact Narconon Arrowhead at 1-800-468-6933 or go to www.stopaddiction.com.
Contact: Megan Bedford
800-468-6933
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