When people hear the city name “Jackson,” they might quickly start singing the song made popular by Johnny Cash and June Carter. It’s just part of what makes this particular community so famous and well known. Those who live in Jackson, TN, might know, however, that the community can’t really be encapsulated in song. In fact, they might say that the community is best understood by those who live within its borders. They love this community, and they’re proud of their heritage. Even so, there may be times when the community is struck by addiction, and when this happens, people might need outside help in order to heal.
Understanding Addiction
People who have addictions aren’t deliberately trying to hurt their neighbors and bring down the reputation of the town. Instead, they have a compulsion to use and abuse drugs that’s caused by chemical changes deep within the brain. Parsing the specifics of one drug like OxyContin might make this concept easier to understand.
Experts at the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggest that one high school senior in 20 takes OxyContin. Some may have a prescription for that drug, but many others may simply take the medication for recreational purposes. In the beginning, these people may have taken the drug because they found it pleasant or interesting. In time, however, the drug left behind subtle damage. People may have found it difficult to feel pleasure without the use of the drug, and people may have felt ill without access. They needed the drug just to feel normal. It’s not fun, but it’s a normal part of the addiction process.
Finding Relief
Since addictions begin with chemistry, it’s no surprise that people often find it difficult to heal without help. They can’t just change the way they think and find relief. They need assistance that can help them to clear their bodies of drugs without feeling physically ill. A detox program can help, as these programs link addicted people with a medical team that can help them to get sober without feeling ill.
When this work is through, people can enroll in therapy programs that can allow them to talk about their addictions and find new solutions. A study in the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors suggests that longer stays in treatment are associated with more robust healing rates, so finding the right program is vital, but the work done in a program like this can allow people to really move forward with their lives without the use and abuse of addicted substances.
Help Is Nearby
If you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, we’d like to help you here at The Oaks at La Paloma. We can provide you with:
- Qualified therapists
- Evidence-based treatments
- Innovative approaches
- Lifetime support
You can work with us on an inpatient basis, living at our facility while you get care, or you can access help on an outpatient basis. We’re happy to discuss both these options with you in depth so you can make the right choice for your care. Leaving Jackson behind for a time might seem difficult, but we really can help you to improve and get better. Please call us to start the enrollment process.