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Convincing someone you love to go to a Michigan drug rehab program could be one of the hardest things you ever do, but it could also be a life-saving intervention.
The state of Michigan has historically had a higher rate of binge drinking than the rest of the country, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health. Over 18 percent of adults in this Great Lakes State reported binge drinking in the past 30 days, compared to just over 15 percent in the rest of the United States. Younger adults between the ages of 18 and 24 were the most likely to binge drink, with an average of 31.5 percent admitting to at least one binge drinking episode within the past month.
Heavy, episodic drinking can have a number of severe health consequences, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- A higher risk of assaults, domestic violence and altercations
- An increased danger of accidental injuries, such as motor vehicle accidents, falls and drowning
- Potential damage to the liver, kidneys and brain
- A higher rate of chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease and diabetes
- Exposure to sexually transmitted disease and unplanned pregnancy
*Health Risks of Binge Drinking
The most serious short-term risk of binge drinking is alcohol poisoning, a potentially fatal condition in which the body takes in more alcohol than the liver can process.
How to Tell if a Loved One Needs Rehab
Binge drinking — the practice of drinking four to five drinks or more in a row within one to two hours — isn’t the only reason that Michigan residents seek rehab. Addictions to marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and prescription pain medications also account for many admissions to drug treatment.
From major cities like Detroit, Lansing and Ann Arbor to the small towns of the state’s Upper Peninsula, the disease of addiction touches all social and cultural groups.
When someone close to you is abusing alcohol or drugs, it’s easy to overlook the problem. Understanding the symptoms of addiction may help you break free from this state of denial, so you can restore health and stability to your home:
- A decline in appearance or hygiene
- Frequent illnesses and absences from work or school
- Frequent accidents or altercations
- Changes in weight
- Unexplained disappearances
- Complaints of poor work or school performance
- Depression or unexplained agitation
- A defensive, hostile attitude, especially when confronted about drug use
If your life feels that it’s gotten out of control because you never know how much your loved one will drink or how they’ll behave after using drugs, it’s time to get help before the situation threatens your whole family.
Getting Someone Into Michigan Rehab Treatment
An honest discussion is a good place to start the process of getting a loved one into treatment, but it’s not always enough. A formal intervention is sometimes necessary to convince an addict that their behavior is destroying their future. The Bureau of Substance Abuse and Addiction Services, a branch of the Michigan Department of Community Health, provides information about affordable drug and alcohol treatment centers in this state.
From self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon and Celebrate Recovery to nonprofit rehab centers like the
Sunrise Centre of Northern Michigan, this government department can point you to the resources you need to get help for someone close to you.
