Historically, addiction hasn’t been a topic many people are openly willing to discuss, but that is all changing. In recent decades, American society has become more open to digital communication, spreading information faster than ever before in human history. Due to the opioid crisis and the overwhelming need to help those with addiction treatment, the federal government stepped in to provide further assistance for people needing addiction resources. By passing legislation for addiction recovery, they made it easier for people to get the care they need.
Legislation Changes to Assist Addiction
In 2018, legislation for addiction recovery was passed. The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act was signed to promote opioid recovery and treatment. The bipartisan bill is a prime example of the federal government responding to the overwhelming feedback and discussion surrounding addiction. It aims to change how addiction is educated, prevented, and treated. The plan addresses the opioid epidemic in the United States, but it is not a simple task.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2018 Annual Report showed that opioid-related deaths were 66.4% of all deaths in 2016. This is not a statistic that Americans should be willing to accept without taking as much action to prevent this as humanly possible.
These deaths do not simply mark a problem with addiction; they impact our growth as a society, families, loved ones, and employers. 42,249 opioid-related deaths in one year mean an incalculable loss of unique ideas, experiences, and contributions to our world. That is the entire country of San Marino or Monaco, with room to spare for tourists.
Northpoint Recovery Aims to End Opioid-Related Deaths
As this topic is so important to us, Janice Fulkerson, the Northpoint Recovery director of contracting, discussed this matter further with Idaho Matters. Janice explained how the legislation for addiction recovery will help expand Medicare to cover addiction treatment, fund Medicaid, and assist those coming out of prison who are the most vulnerable to addiction. The legislation will increase transparency for prescribers and drug makers.
Additionally, people on a waiting list can access addiction treatment services, and there will be an increase in education and prevention measures. By increasing education and prevention measures, there will be reduced stigma of the opioid crisis for those addicted. This means renewing hope and restoring families who have been affected by addiction. We hope this message reaches more people every year so that we can retain more neighbors, family members, citizens, workers, and people.
It is a shame to lose many ideas and contributions to addiction-related deaths. The problems facing our society can’t be solved overnight. Still, we need to apply the trend of open communication via social media to continue to raise awareness and increase collaboration, not just communication.
Addiction Treatment at Northpoint Recovery
In Idaho, the region’s premier drug rehab program is offered by Northpoint Recovery. The experienced clinical staff at Northpoint uses the most widely-accepted, evidence-based treatment protocols to create individualized recovery plans for each client. Most importantly, Northpoint Recovery uses multiple treatment approaches to combat the disease of addiction on every level—physical, mental, psychological, nutritional, and spiritual—to maximize the person’s chances of regaining stability, sobriety, and serenity.
The compassionate team at our treatment center in Idaho develops a custom treatment plan for each one of our patients. These treatment plans include:
- Drug or alcohol detox – Undergoing detoxification at our facility is always the first step in addiction treatment. This is because it allows our team to monitor the patient’s progress and ensure their safety as they rid their bodies of substances.
- Dual diagnosis treatment – Many people who suffer from addiction also struggle with another mental health disorder. As such, we offer dual diagnosis treatment to help our patients address both their addiction and any underlying mental health issues they may have.
- Medical intervention – Our on-site medical staff provides 24/7 care to ensure that our patients are safe and comfortable during detox and withdrawal. They also provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) when necessary.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – CBT is one of the most effective methods of treating addiction. This therapy helps patients identify and change the negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to their addiction.
- Group therapy – Group therapy sessions provide our patients with support and guidance from their peers as they work through treatment.
- Family therapy – Addiction affects not just the individual suffering from the disease but also their loved ones. Family therapy sessions help repair the relationships that have been damaged by addiction and provide family members with the tools they need to support their loved one’s recovery.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, we urge you to reach out to us today. We offer a variety of treatment options and programs that can be customized to fit each individual’s unique needs. Call us now at 888.296.8976 or contact us online to learn more.