Getting help for alcohol and drug abuse problems

Are you concerned about your own alcohol or drug use or that of someone you care for? First of all do not assume that the person with the problem is an alcoholic or addict. The first step in getting help involves trying to determine if the disease of addiction is present.

Chemical Abuse vs. addiction (the word chemical refers to alcohol, legal drugs and illegal drugs.) Abuse is the excessive use of a chemical that results in a harmful or negative consequence. Chemical abuse occurs along a continuum, from occasional abuse to addiction. If a person has created a regular pattern of abuse that they have a difficult time stopping, then the solution may be more involved. For a start, getting a professional assessment.

Chemical dependency, which is a serious disease, has identifiable characteristics, one of them being the fact that it is a progressive illness. Untreated, it will get worse, the consequences will get more serious, and the ultimate consequence is usually insanity and/or death. Persons with the disease can learn to bring it under control by abstaining from the chemical and adopting a regular regime of healthy living.

The disease of chemical dependency has a variety of possible causes-genetics, family dynamics, chemical use patterns, neurochemical characteristics, cultural influences—and usually several of them are present in a chemically dependent person’s makeup. It is not necessarily how often or even how much one uses, but rather how the use and the consequences that one faces as a result that provide the distinction between abuse and addiction. If you have questions about your use or that of some one you care about, we recommend you get a professional assessment to answer your questions.

Do you have any of the symptoms of being an alcoholic or drug addict? This checklist will help determine whether you need help.

♦ Have you ever decided to stop using for a week or so, but only lasted for a couple of days?
♦ Do you wish people would mind their own business about your using stop telling you what to do?
♦ Have you ever switched from one kind of chemical or another in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk or high?
♦ Have you had to have an eye-opener upon awakening during the past year?
♦ Do you envy people who can use without getting into trouble?
♦ Have you had problems connected with using during the past year?
♦ Has your using caused trouble at home?
♦ Do you ever try to get “extra” drinks at a party because you do not get enough?
♦ Do you tell yourself you can stop using any time you want to, even through you keep getting drunk or high when you don’t mean to?
♦ Have you missed days of work or school because of using?
♦ Do you have “blackouts”?
♦ Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not use?

Did you answer YES four or more times? If so, you are probably in trouble with alcohol or other drugs.

What services do we provide?

Chemical Health Division

Faribault Martin County Human Services has qualified Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors to provide you or someone you care about with information, education, support, intervention and a chemical abuse assessment based on Minnesota state-wide criteria (Rule 25) for determining the severity of the problem and with your input assist you with referrals based upon the level of care needed. The county counselor will be able to tell you if you are eligible for county assistance to pay for services. They can tell you about and assist you in accessing other support services available in the area. They will assist you with pre-certification of state agency health care and private insurance plans. They are culturally sensitive and can help you find counseling and treatment services that suit your specific needs.

If you are concerned about your own use or that of someone you love, remember that things will not get better simply by wishing for them to improve. You must take some action.

Contact Faribault Center at 507-526-3265 or Martin Center at 507-238-4757...and ask for Social Services Intake. This person will take down the information and/or request for services and give to the appropriate personnel.