Most Common Barriers in Seeking Addiction Treatment

Not Everyone Has Access to the Help They Need

Ideally, every drug or alcohol addict would obtain the necessary help if they could, but accessing help is not always as easy for some as it is for others. Many individuals across the nation do not seek help for their addiction by virtue of certain barriers which limit their ability to get assistance in overcoming their struggles. By limiting these barriers and having alternative options for the individuals faced with them, help can be more accessible which, in turn, will reduce the drug and alcohol addiction rate across the nation.

Even if you are eligible for addiction treatment, it does not necessarily mean that you will get it. Chronic illness, whether it is drug addiction, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, or Alzheimer’s, should automatically allow those struggling with these diseases to get help regardless of barriers. This is not always the case, as accessing help for substance abuse and addiction has become an uphill battle.

Barriers Faced by Individuals

Why is it more difficult for some to access help than others? Here are a few of the unique, and often frustrating barriers, that individuals who struggle with addiction and access to care face.

  • Insurance Coverage

Many addiction care facilities and addiction care programs cost more than the average individual can afford; this is simply the reality of obtaining top-notch care. If an individual does not have insurance coverage, they will have no choice but to pay out-of-pocket for their treatment which can often be very expensive. Conversely, if an individual does have insurance, the treatment center may not accept their unique insurance plan. This is a large hurdle that individuals who struggle with substance abuse are faced with.

  • A Treatment Center is Not Accessible

Even if an individual is covered under their insurance plan or even if they are able to pay out-of-pocket for treatment, they may live in a remote or rural area where the closest treatment center is hours away. If these individuals do not have a way of getting to the treatment center, they may not be able to get the help that they need. In turn, they are less likely to receive that care they need to get better.

  • Centers Lack in Their Offerings

Oftentimes, addiction treatment centers only offer basic and stereotypical treatment without regards to other co-occurring disorders such as mental illness. If an individual is struggling with an underlying mental illness but only receives treatment for their addiction, they are not getting help for the root cause of their problem. Facilities that offer dual diagnosis treatment are rarer than centers that offer solely drug or alcohol treatment. If an individual is only able to treatment for their addiction, they are not getting the full spectrum of care needed to make a full recovery.

These are just some of the many barriers that individuals who are struggling with addiction are vulnerable to. By working to eliminate these setbacks so that individuals can have access to the help that they require, the drug and alcohol epidemic that is sweeping the nation can be regulated.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.