National Substance Abuse Prevention Month

Do you have a loved one or friend who succumbed to alcohol or drug addiction? Do you wish that someone had gotten to them before they took their first sip or tried an illegal drug? National Substance Abuse Prevention Month 2019 is designed to do just that. Substance abuse prevention saves lives.

What Is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month?

October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, which honors the decision to abstain from illegal drug and alcohol use. It encourages prevention campaigns in October and throughout the year to promote the health and well-being of teens and young adults.

To highlight this point, let’s take a look at Florida and national statistics that reveal the consequences of choosing the wrong path.

Sobering Statistics

There are many sobering statistics about the impact of drug use in the Sunshine State, including:

• More than 1,000 people die in heroin-related deaths each year
• Cocaine causes nearly 3,000 deaths annually
• Between 2015 and 2016, the number of fentanyl-related deaths increased by 80%.
• About 20% of Florida high schoolers who drank alcohol in the prior 30 days reported binge drinking within the previous two weeks, and more than 12% of high school students reported blacking out following alcohol use.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that nearly 20 million Americans battled substance abuse. Approximately 8.5 million adults had a mental health disorder co-occurring with a substance use disorder. To put a dollar sign on the problem, the NSDUH found that drug addiction costs American society $740 billion in lost productivity, crime-related costs, and healthcare expenses every year.

A Celebration of Those in Recovery

Those in recovery also deserve recognition during National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. At Beaches Recovery, we provide the highest level of care for the physical and mental health of each client. If you or someone you love suffers from substance abuse disorder, we can help them get their life back with our substance abuse treatment programs.

If you’ve already been through a treatment program in Florida, you might be surprised at the difference you notice from the first day at Beaches Recovery. Our Jacksonville location offers programs and services for a wide variety of addictions, including:

• Alcohol
• Cocaine
• Heroin
• Meth
• Prescription pills

Use NSAPM as a way to give yourself or someone you love the gift of sobriety and hope.

How to Identify Substance Abuse Disorders

Typically, when someone begins to use drugs, their behavior changes. To determine whether your friend or loved one is under the influence, look for the following symptoms:

• Erratic and inconsistent behavior
• Sudden withdrawal from friends and family
• Lying and manipulation to hide drug use
• Neglected personal grooming and general appearance

If you notice these changes, it may be time to stage an intervention.

Beaches Recovery

National Substance Abuse Prevention Month is a great way to raise awareness for substance abuse and keep teens and young adults from becoming addicted to illicit drugs. If you find that you need help kicking the habits that have taken over your life, contact Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, FL at  866.605.0532 to start your journey toward sober living.