Close to 50 million Americans over the age of 12 have struggled with some kind of substance abuse disorder in the past year. Attempting to calculate how many loved ones have also been impacted by this reality is virtually impossible.

If you have a physical injury or illness, for the most part, people will offer much more sympathy than blame. In the realm of addiction, however, stigmas remain. Even well-meaning souls will view alcohol use disorder (AUD) as a choice people make.

Addiction can be a complex concept. It takes many forms, including alcohol addiction, substance use, and other unhealthy behaviors. Thankfully, addiction is an entirely treatable condition. The key is understanding what is causing the addiction to occur and gaining awareness of the extent of its reach.

Substance abuse is often viewed as a taboo topic that is uncomfortable to discuss, both for those struggling and for those on the outside. Being able to overcome substance abuse is not an easy task, but one that is entirely attainable. Let’s explore some strategies that can help get the journey started.