As our church stepped into helping with the rising foster care crisis in our area, we discovered that addiction is a primary reason parents lose custody of their children. While we continue to mobilize willing foster parents, we also believe that understanding and treating the rise in substance misuse is critical in the effort to keep families whole and healthy. We partner with Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church and Drug Free Workplace PA to provide this robust collection of local resources and groups willing and ready to help people struggling with addiction.
Drug overdoses have surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of accidental deaths both nationwide and in Pennsylvania.
Risk of developing an addiction can depend on these four major “ABCD” factors.
1 in 4 Americans who began using addictive substance before age 18 developed an addiction vs. 1 in 25 Americans who began using an addictive substance after age 21 developed an addiction.
Source: The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, 2011
Traumatic experiences can push people into drug or alcohol misuse. These include:Divorce / Breakup, Financial Challenges, Health Issues, Death of a Loved One, Moving, Domestic Violence, Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse.
Source: Partnership for Drug Free Kids and the Center for Motivation & Change
50 – 75% of those being treated for substance misuse also have a diagnosable mental health disorder. 60 – 75% of teenagers with a substance use disorder have a co-existing mental health issue
Source: SAMHSA’s TIP 42
Genetics account for 50 – 75% of addiction. Teens are more likely to develop an addiction if their parents or grandparents struggle with an addiction.
Source: Developed in collaboration with the Partnership for Drug Free Kids and the Center for Motivation & Change
Addiction affects two main chemicals in the brain: Dopamine and Serotonin. Serotonin controls mood, memory, sleep and cognition. Substance misuse can negatively impact all of these. Dopamine controls pleasure, motor functions, compulsion and reward. Drugs increase dopamine levels, giving the user a temporary high.
Working with a counselor, therapist and/or support group is a strong first place to begin if you’re battling addiction or if you live with someone who is. There are a number of counselors, therapists and support groups in the Harrisburg area specializing in addiction and substance misuse.
The West Shore Free Church task force’s provision of these resources does not constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation of the listed service providers. Each of these resources has provided success to someone we know, but every person is different.
This resource provides descriptions of many different substances, their slang/alternative names, the duration of their effects, and signs/symptoms to help you recognize when someone may be struggling.
What to know about addiction, how to cope with knowing someone has an addiction and how to help yourself and your loved ones
The whole story of the opioid crisis, from the boardrooms of the big pharmacies to the living rooms of struggling Americans.
Prevention and Taking Early Action
Parent Coaching: Get Support from Another Parent Who’s Experienced a Child’s Addiction
Parent Coaching: Offering peer-to-peer support
Find information on the opioid epidemic from The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read more…
Find information from the CDC on the negative effects of excessive alcohol use. Read more…
Find data on use rates for people 12+. Read more…
Find information from the Partnership for Drug-Free-Kids on how to talk to loved ones about marijuana use. Read more…
Find information from the National Institute on Drug Abuse on the use and dangers of methamphetamine. Read more…
Find information on vaping and how to talk to your loved ones about it. Read more…
Find information from the CDC about Juuling and the dangers of E-cigarettes. Read more…
Find information from the National Institute on Drug Abuse on the use and dangers of cocaine. Read more…
Find the decision tree for your county to know who to call, and when to call them.
Contact the 24/7 hotline from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at 1-800-Get-Help.
