It can feel isolating and scary if you or a loved one struggles with substance use disorder (SUD). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), about 20.4 million people were diagnosed with SUD in 2022. The most used drug was Fentanyl, with about 360,000 overdoses from Fentanyl in 2019 alone. It’s important to remember that you are not alone on this journey, and others have found ways to overcome it; so can you.

Learning about substance abuse can help you let go of any shame and guilt that you may harbor surrounding your addiction. This article will explore substance abuse psychoeducation, how you can benefit from it, and any next-step opportunities for you. 

Who Is at Risk?

When discussing substance use disorders, it’s essential to identify who is more at risk for developing SUD. While anyone can develop SUD, there are certain risk factors that can increase your odds of developing SUD. This can help you understand why you or your loved one may have developed SUD in the first place, which will then help in understanding the disorder and this person better. This can contribute to the support needed during treatment, but it can be difficult, which is why it’s necessary to have a community and family to lean on. 

For example, these risk factors can be:

• Biological
• Environmental
• Psychological
• Cultural

Some individuals can also have certain genetic traits that can put them at a higher risk. 

Additionally, if you have a parent or close family member who struggled with SUD, you would also be at a higher risk. There are also variable risk factors that have the potential to change over time. This can include:

• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
• Income level or poverty
• Employment status

These can have a negative effect, causing a significantly higher risk of developing SUD. 

It’s essential to understand the risk factors for developing SUD; only then can possible prevention methods be established. Some prevention methods include encouraging feelings of self-control and self-confidence. Another possible prevention tactic includes developing social competence to form healthy, stable relationships. 

What Is Psychoeducation?

The main goal of psychoeducation within substance use disorder treatment is to provide education on substance abuse. In most cases, clients experience psychoeducation through courses or seminars. You will be able to explore a few different topics, such as what leads to chemical dependence, the effects of substances on the brain, and psychopharmacology. 

The overall idea is to provide an awareness of how substance use disorders can affect your mind and body. The National Library of Medicine explains psychoeducation is also aimed at helping the individual stay motivated to continue through the recovery-ready stage. 

Learning about how different substances affect the mind and body can help give you the needed motivation to continue on. It’s imperative to try and keep that motivation going because treatment can be challenging, and you will need different forms of support to keep going. 

The Benefits of Psychoeducation

There are many benefits associated with psychoeducation that can specifically help make treatment much more meaningful and powerful. The benefits and effects of psychoeducation are designed to help directly affect your lives in the best way possible. 

One major advantage of psychoeducation is that it can help you to remain abstinent from substances even after you leave treatment. This is possible through the knowledge you will gain from psychoeducation to help you make better-informed decisions all throughout life. 

Psychoeducation is also beneficial for individuals who are early on in their treatment program because it can help them learn about possible roadblocks during recovery and provide a deeper understanding of the paths to follow in treatment. 

Lastly, psychoeducation is also beneficial for the loved ones of someone struggling with SUD. This can also help to inform the family of the behaviors of someone struggling with SUD. This way, they can help support them during treatment. 

Options for Your Next Steps

Here at West Coast Recovery Centers, we make it a priority to offer individualized treatment programs that meet the needs of our clients. This is why we offer psychoeducation throughout treatment, which comes in the form of both seminars and courses, depending on which works better for you. This form of psychoeducation helps you learn more about yourself in relation to substance use disorders and how they can affect you specifically. 

It’s important to look into treatment programs that can meet your needs based on your day-to-day responsibilities. Some people may benefit more from an outpatient treatment program if they have children or specific responsibilities that they can’t step away from for a period of time. While on the other hand, someone may benefit more from an inpatient treatment program if they have struggled with SUD for longer, or it may even be more intense. 

If you’re struggling with a substance use disorder, it can be hard to feel as though there will be any relief. However, this is not the case; there are options to choose from, such as treatment programs. If you are currently participating in treatment, psychoeducation can help you learn more about yourself and how you can best complete treatment for a happier and healthier lifestyle. West Coast Recovery Centers is here to help you and your loved ones through this phase of life. We understand that it can be difficult to reach out for help. However, it is vital. For information on treatment options, you can reach us any time at (760) 492-6509.