The fight against addictions in Mexico
Addiction is an omnipresent reality in Mexico, with millions of people struggling with substance abuse and behavioral addictions. This reality not only has epidemiological impacts but also affects the functionality of thousands of families. The presence of individuals with substance use in a family involves damages to communication, integrity, trust, affection, their heritage, and can even cause health alterations for all its members. In reality, all spheres of the consumer’s life are affected: work or study areas, economic, social, and in general, their life projects.
However, amid this darkness, recovery is possible. As the phenomenon of addiction grows, so too do the opportunities for help and clinical care resources multiply and specialize. In this blog, we will explore the paths to addiction recovery in Mexico, using figures to illustrate the magnitude of the challenge and the hope that recovery represents.
The Magnitude of the Problem
To understand the urgency of addiction recovery in Mexico, it is crucial to consider the figures that reveal the magnitude of the problem. According to data from the National Survey on Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use (ENCODAT), approximately 10.3 million Mexicans have used illegal drugs at some point in their lives, representing around 17.2% of the adult population.
Additionally, alcohol consumption affects a large number of people, with 8.6% of the adult population reporting excessive alcohol use. It is important to consider that this prevalence intersect with other consumption data, amplifying the issue, as well as to take into account that these reports lead to other impact figures in terms of public health, security, and social fabric disruptions.
Addition recovery in Mexico is Possible
Despite these alarming figures, it is worth highlighting that addiction recovery is possible. According to a study by the National Institute of Psychiatry, approximately 10% of individuals with substance use disorders achieve sustained and significant recovery. This shows that, although addiction is a complex and debilitating disease, recovery is an achievable path for many. It is therefore important to raise awareness of the issue, but above all, to also put the solutions on the table, spreading the possibilities of help from the public health sector, private sector, and civil society organizations.
Encouraging those who suffer from addiction and those around them to seek these help options is crucial. Supporting a family member or friend throughout the rehabilitation process is vital.
The Role of Rehabilitation Centers
Rehabilitation centers play a vital role in the addiction recovery process in Mexico. According to data from the National Commission on Mental Health and Addictions (CONASAMA), approximately 70,000 people enter rehabilitation centers each year in Mexico seeking help to overcome their addictions. These centers offer a variety of programs and services, from medical detoxification to individualized therapy and group support, providing a caring and understanding environment for those seeking to recover.
Strengthening the rehabilitation centers’ offerings towards more professional treatment, adhering to human rights and evidence-based methodologies, is crucial to ensure the best results in terms of skills for social reintegration.
The Challenge of Social Reintegration
One of the biggest challenges facing people in recovery is successful reintegration into society. According to an OMS report, stigma and discrimination towards people in recovery can hinder their access to housing, employment, and social support, which in turn can increase the risk of relapse. It is essential that Mexican society works to eliminate these stigmas and provide a supportive and accepting environment for those in the recovery process.
To achieve addiction recovery in Mexico, it is important that from the health, social, and family dimensions, we handle the acceptance of this problem normally, removing prejudice and stigmatizing treatment towards those who suffer from it. Offering help whenever possible and recommending appropriate institutions is essential.
The role of education and prevention in addiction recovery in Mexico
In addition recovery in Mexico, prevention and education play a crucial role in the fight against addictions in Mexico. According to data from the National Commission on Mental Health and Addictions (CONASAMA), 61% of secondary school students have consumed alcohol at some point, highlighting the importance of early prevention programs and drug education in schools. By providing information and resources about the risks of drug and alcohol use, we can help prevent the onset of addictions and promote healthy lifestyles from an early age.
We believe that prevention is where the greatest investment of resources and effort should be made, as it is when the greatest possibility exists to stop the development of thousands of potential people with addictions, avoiding secondary consequences of substance abuse.
The school system becomes an excellent platform for prevention, as it is the second social system where children and young people spend the most time, not only acquiring educational skills but also values that constitute true protective factors against the development of addictions.
Conclusions
In summary, addiction recovery in Mexico is a complex challenge, but not insurmountable. With the right support, both at the individual and community levels, people in recovery can find hope, healing, and a new life free from addictions. By leveraging figures to understand the magnitude of the problem and the effectiveness of treatments, we can work specifically on the factors that are driving the increase in substance use to build a healthier and more hopeful future for all Mexicans.
Implementing policies with precise programs and strategies that intervene from universal, selective, and indicated prevention can give us the opportunity to curb the accelerated development of addictions and at the same time implement tailored treatment programs at each required level of care, outpatient preventive, intensive outpatient, day clinic, intensive residential, long-term residential, therapeutic communities, halfway houses, relapse prevention programs, and support for family systems to equip them with strengths that allow sustained functionality to provide those recovering from addiction with greater possibilities of reintegration, as well as ceasing to be, from dysfunctionality, a factor that promotes the development of addictions by any of its members.
At the family level, it is important that when we identify probable substance abuse in any of its members, we create a climate of trust to address this situation, always offering understanding and help. Let’s invite this person to seek professional solutions and accompany them throughout the care and recovery process.
