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Kansas City—located in western Missouri but straddling the border of both Missouri and Kansas--is renowned for its iconic Kansas City-style barbeque. It's also known as "The Heart of the Heartland," because it's the nation's most centrally located large city. But lately Kansas City has become known for something else-an absolutely out of control drug problem.
The state of Missouri (as well as neighboring Kansas) consistently records increases in drug overdose deaths, even as they continue to decline in the country as a whole. In 2018, law enforcement officials in Kansas City seized nearly 6,000 pounds of marijuana, and enough fentanyl to kill three thousand people. It's clear that drug use in Missouri is surging and Kansas City is on the front line. What's the reason for the increase in usage? Officials says that in addition to its status as a large metropolitan city, Kansas City's location may be largely to blame.
Kansas city sits at the converging point of several major interstates making it convenient for traffickers to move drugs back and forth. Most of the drugs seized in Kansas City can be traced back to Mexican drug cartels (like the Sinaloa Cartel and the New Generation Cartel.) Methamphetamine analysis is the most telling indicator, as the methamphetamine found in St. Louis is, by and large, far too pure to have been locally made. Local laws that govern the ingredients needed to cook meth have been strengthened in recent years and are now much harder to obtain. The chemical analysis shows that the methamphetamine that is typically found in St. Louis originates in super labs south of the US border, while the fentanyl seized usually comes from China, before it gets mixed into the other drugs—like heroin—being sold by the cartels. Officials say that these trafficked drugs can be hidden in everything from secret compartments on train stations to expensive artwork, making it extremely hard to control.
So, what's the solution? In April of 2020, local law enforcement officials announced the formation of a new group--the St. Louis Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force—which will be focused on combating drug trafficking crime and drug-related gangs on both sides of the mighty Mississippi river. We can only hope their efforts can stem the tide.
With substance abuse treatment easily available, those struggling with addiction can find help within their local area.
Substance Abuse Recovery Facility Settings and Recovery Approaches In Kansas City, MO.
The types of recovery centers in Kansas City may include the following: outpatient counseling, long term drug rehab centers, inpatient detoxification centers, short term treatment centers, inpatient drug and alcohol rehabs.
Individuals looking for rehab can find conveniently located centers close by with a range of treatment approaches designed for effective rehabilitation. These methods, which contain both well-established and newer practices, include the following: brief intervention approach, motivational interviewing, substance abuse counseling approach, anger management, cognitive/behavior therapy, activity therapy.
Programs Addressing Special Requirements for Addiction Treatment
Addiction can vary based upon circumstances, like the type of substance causing the addiction. Many treatment facilities in the Kansas City region deliver rehabs aimed to customize rehab to a patient's specific needs. These rehabs contain the following: social skills development, persons with post-traumatic stress disorder, self-help groups, treatment for spanish-speaking clients, persons who have experienced sexual abuse, substance abuse education.
Clients who are not sure what their needs are can contact these rehabs to access patient resources that can direct them toward the appropriate program.
Paying For Recovery - Payment & Financing Flexibility
Individuals struggling with alcohol and drug addiction come from differing financial circumstances, but a range of payment alternatives makes recovery economically accessible for anyone. Financing options include the following: private health insurance, cash or self-payment, medicaid, medicare, military insurance, state education funds, access to recovery (atr) voucher.
Individuals searching for rehabilitation can contact a rehab program to learn more about what funding alternatives are available to them.
Kansas City's substance abuse centers, resources, and payment alternatives give those struggling with drug and alcohol abuse an opportunity to begin a lasting sobriety plan.
Commonly Asked Questions about Addiction and Treatment
Are some individuals genetically predisposed to drug and alcohol addiction?
Yes, research indicates that genetic factors can play a significant role in an individual's susceptibility to drug and alcohol addiction, although they are only part of the picture. It's estimated that genetics account for approximately 40-60% of a person's vulnerability to addiction, with the remaining risk coming from environmental and psychological factors.
Here's a closer look at the role of genetics in substance use disorders:
Genetic Predisposition: Certain genetic variations can influence how an individual reacts to drugs or alcohol. For example, some people might experience a more intense "high," or they might not get unpleasant side effects that deter others from continued use. These genetic differences can increase the likelihood of repeated use and, ultimately, addiction.
Co-occurring Disorders: Genetic factors can also contribute to mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Individuals with these conditions are often at a higher risk for substance abuse and addiction, creating a potential link between genetic predisposition to these mental health conditions and increased risk for addiction.
Family History: A family history of addiction can indicate a possible genetic predisposition. If close relatives, such as parents or siblings, have struggled with addiction, an individual may be more likely to develop a substance use disorder. However, a family history of addiction also often comes with certain environmental factors that can increase risk, such as exposure to substance use at a young age or a lack of stable, supportive family structures.
Epigenetics: Epigenetics, or changes in gene expression due to experiences and environment, can also play a role in addiction. For instance, exposure to high levels of stress or trauma can cause changes in the way genes function, potentially increasing susceptibility to addiction.
However, it's essential to understand that while genetics can increase the risk for addiction, they do not determine destiny. Environmental factors such as exposure to drugs, family environment, peer influences, and individual resilience can heavily influence whether a person with a genetic predisposition will develop a substance use disorder. Furthermore, effective prevention and treatment strategies can help individuals at risk for or struggling with addiction to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
What is the Cognitive Behavioral Method for treating addiction?
"The Cognitive Behavioral Method, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is an evidence-based psychological approach for treating addiction that focuses on identifying and modifying dysfunctional thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviors that contribute to substance use disorders. CBT is grounded in the understanding that an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and by changing maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors, they can better manage their emotions and reduce their reliance on addictive substances.
CBT for addiction treatment typically involves the following key components:
- Identifying triggers: The first step in CBT is to help individuals recognize the situations, thoughts, or emotions that trigger their substance use. This awareness enables them to develop strategies to manage these triggers effectively and avoid relapse.
- Challenging negative thoughts: CBT helps individuals recognize and challenge irrational or negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to their addiction. By examining the evidence for and against these thoughts and replacing them with more balanced, rational alternatives, individuals can better control their emotions and behaviors.
- Developing healthy coping strategies: CBT focuses on teaching individuals new, adaptive coping skills to deal with stress, cravings, or negative emotions without resorting to substance use. These strategies may include relaxation techniques, problem-solving skills, assertiveness training, or time management, among others.
- Building self-efficacy: CBT helps individuals build confidence in their ability to cope with high-risk situations and resist the urge to use substances. This increased self-efficacy can contribute to long-term recovery and reduce the likelihood of relapse.
- Relapse prevention: CBT incorporates relapse prevention techniques to help individuals identify early warning signs of relapse and develop a plan to address these signs effectively. This may involve practicing coping strategies, seeking support from others, or making adjustments to their environment or daily routine.
CBT for addiction treatment can be delivered in individual, group, or family therapy settings and is often used in conjunction with other treatment modalities, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT), peer support groups, or motivational interviewing. CBT has been found to be effective in treating various substance use disorders, including alcohol, opioid, and stimulant addiction, as well as co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression."
How does a person become addicted to drugs?
Addiction to drugs is a complex process that involves a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. It is not simply a matter of weak willpower or moral failing, but rather a chronic disease of the brain that can develop over time.
Here's a simplified explanation of how a person may become addicted to drugs:
- Initial Use: The path to addiction often begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs. This could be due to curiosity, peer pressure, seeking pleasure or relief from stress, or even for medical reasons under prescription.
- Pleasure and Reward: Drugs alter the brain's normal functioning, typically leading to intense feelings of pleasure or the elimination of uncomfortable feelings. They do this by overstimulating the brain's reward system - particularly by releasing large amounts of a neurotransmitter called dopamine, which plays a significant role in feelings of pleasure and reward.
- Repeated Use and Tolerance: Over time, as a person continues to use the drug, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine by producing less of it or reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it. This reduces the high, leading the person to take more of the drug in an attempt to recreate the original experience. This is known as developing a tolerance.
- Dependence: As the brain becomes used to the drug, physiological changes occur that make the person's body require the drug to function "normally." When the drug is not taken, withdrawal symptoms may be experienced, driving the person to continue using the drug to avoid these uncomfortable or even painful symptoms.
- Addiction: At this point, seeking and consuming the drug becomes a compulsion. The person may want to stop using the drug, but they find it extremely difficult or impossible to do so on their own, even in the face of negative consequences to their health, relationships, or other aspects of their life. The brain's cognitive functions related to judgment, decision-making, learning, memory, and behavior control are significantly altered, leading to harmful behaviors and the cycle of addiction.
