Addiction. There is no denying that it is one of the biggest issues that the United States faces.

In fact, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in the year 2017, 49.50 percent of Americans twelve and older reported using illicit drugs at least once in their lives.

This number is astounding to many and disheartening to those who are on the front lines of substance abuse treatment and prevention.

High rates of addiction and substance abuse over the past few years have left many asking if we are tackling addiction correctly.

One problem is that addiction is a complicated condition to treat. Recent trends have likened addiction to a disease. According to a study published on PubMed, thinking of addiction in this way may be less effective than many of us realize.

Perhaps this is because many of us feel helpless in the face of diseases. It is common knowledge that you cannot cure addiction.

For those who struggle with substance abuse disorders, the idea that they cannot cure their conditions may make them feel that they have no hope of living normally.

Some find that a no-holds-barred approach is effective for addressing addiction.

During this approach, people struggling with substance abuse disorders are forced to own their addiction and learn how to come to terms with the problems that their disorder has caused.

In this type of addiction treatment, people in recovery are encouraged to take long, hard looks at how they deal with situations.

They learn to accept circumstances in their lives that caused them to use substances and numb their feelings.

They learn new ways to deal with triggers that once made them feel out of control.

Instead of telling people with substance abuse problems that they have a disease, such treatment models encourage people with addictions to take control of their substance abuse.

This may help them believe that they have the power to live any way they choose.

No treatment program is going to be one hundred percent effective one hundred percent of the time, but there are many addiction treatment options.

The options help us reduce the negative effects of this problem on individuals, their families and friends, and communities where substance abuse disorders run rampant.

If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction, it is important to find treatment that works.

Just one call can change lives, and it might change yours.