Addiction Counseling

Addiction in Caregivers: The Hidden Crisis Among Those Who Support Others

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

Written by Jason Klimkowski,

Caregivers support those who can’t care for themselves for various reasons — including illness, disability, or aging. And since the global population is aging rapidly, caregiving is a widespread and growing role. According to recent estimates, tens of millions of people worldwide are caregivers to older adults or folks with chronic conditions. In the United States alone, over 40 million adults identify as caregivers each year. And similar trends are noticeable in other countries. Unfortunately, caregivers often juggle their role and other responsibilities, like jobs or raising families. Naturally, this causes huge amounts of daily stress and many assorted mental health challenges that can lead to addiction in caregivers. Escaping addiction is never easy, especially considering the nature of their role. Therefore, it is important to focus on the crisis among caregivers and their struggles with addiction.

Who Are Caregivers?

The two main types of stressed caregivers are:

  • Family (informal) caregivers — unpaid relatives or friends who assist loved ones with daily activities and medical tasks at home. They help with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, feeding), manage medications, coordinate healthcare appointments, and provide emotional support.
  • Professional caregivers — personal support workers, hospice staff, and home health aides, often handling more complex medical procedures and monitoring.

Naturally, all caregivers, whether devoted family members or trained professionals, are responsible for the safety, health, and well-being of those in their care.

Addiction Among Caregivers

Unfortunately, addiction in caregivers is something society doesn’t discuss nearly enough — and addresses it even less. They develop substance abuse issues more often because they’re exposed to more stressors. Figures back this up, even though research on the topic isn’t plentiful.

According to some estimates, around 12% of US children live with a caregiver with substance abuse issues, meaning drugs and alcohol. Canadian research shows similar results, with 8–10% of caregivers using alcohol or other substances.

These figures are fairly comparable to addiction statistics among the general population. However, there are also caregivers of specific high-stress populations. Studies targeting caregivers in particularly demanding situations, like dementia care, show higher levels of risky substance use of around 18 percent.

The findings paint a clear picture. Namely, the higher the burden of a caregiving situation, the higher the risk of the caregiver developing addiction issues as a coping mechanism.

Professional Caregivers and Addiction

Addiction is also a concern among nurses, doctors, and other health professionals. Approximately 10% of healthcare workers are estimated to abuse drugs or alcohol during their careers.

Surveys of nurses show that around 18% suffer from substance use problems, with about 6–7% meeting criteria for a substance use disorder. In the case of medical professionals, proximity to medications is also an issue. Addiction in caregivers is more common among anesthesiologists and others with ready access to medications.

Behavioral Addiction

Not all types of addiction are easily noticeable. It is important to spot the signs in missed appointments, slurred words, and dramatic breakdowns. Sometimes, they may be less readily apparent, like in the cases of gambling disorders, internet addiction, and similar compulsive behaviors.

Caregivers facing long hours at home are susceptible to these behaviors as a form of escape — the simplest outlet for stress.

There’s no precise evidence showing the prevalence of these behaviors in caregivers, but their stress levels are comparable to those suffering from similar issues in the general population.

Recovery Post-Treatment

Most caregivers relapse because the environment around them stays the same. They leave treatment, go home, and walk right back into the same routines, same stress, same weight on their shoulders. That makes maintaining recovery after treatment ends especially challenging unless caregivers intentionally reshape their lives to support sobriety. It is important to know how to stay sober with the right strategy.

Caregivers can build a structured daily routine and prioritize self-care through healthy habits like exercise and balanced meals to reduce stress. Additionally, it is necessary to avoid toxic relationships and risky situations that might trigger relapse, celebrate milestones in the sobriety journey, and stay connected with ongoing therapy or support groups. Practical methods can help caregivers stay sober in their usual pre-treatment environment.

Shame, Guilt, and the Fear of Being Seen

Caregivers often feel like they are supposed to be the strong ones. They give help, no matter how bad it gets, and don’t complain. But what happens when they need help? Ironically, they feel guilty.

This guilt doesn’t come from pride. It’s fear. Fear that if they admit they’re struggling, people will perceive them as weak. Fear that the person they’re caring for will lose trust. So, they hide it and convince themselves that the problem is temporary.

If you’re a caregiver feeling like you’re on the verge of developing an addictive habit, try:

  • Telling one person you trust that you’re not doing okay
  • Writing it down in a notebook to get the truth out of your head
  • Scheduling a private call with a therapist who understands caregiver stress
  • Asking your doctor about what you’re taking and why
  • Joining an anonymous support group, even if you never speak the first time

Small steps matter.

Other Barriers To Seeking Help

Besides guilt and shame, there are also more practical barriers preventing caregivers from seeking help. Many caregivers feel they simply cannot step away from their responsibilities.

They simply feel their absence would have dire consequences for their loved ones. For example, an around-the-clock caregiver of a dementia patient may not have anyone to cover for them. This prevents them from attending an outpatient program, let alone an inpatient detox.

Respite care services are either unavailable or the caregiver is unaware of them. This time barrier is huge. And as a result, caregivers put the patient’s schedule of needs ahead of their own recovery.

Furthermore, addiction often saps motivation and energy. A caregiver in the depths of substance dependence may be so physically unwell or emotionally drained that the effort to find and engage in treatment feels overwhelming.

The Toll on Relationships

The personal dynamic between caregivers and care recipients often suffers when addiction is involved. Sometimes, the care recipient feels guilt, believing they “caused” the caregiver’s troubles. This is especially common in spousal caregiving situations.

On the other hand, the addicted caregiver might oscillate between emotional distance and outbursts of anger or mood swings. In most cases, this is caused by substance effects or withdrawal.

Over time, trust between everyone involved erodes. In families, other relatives may have to step in, creating further stress or conflict within the family. The care recipient’s own health can deteriorate due to missed care. This creates an environment where the caregiver might spiral further into a destructive feedback loop.

Other Consequences

More broadly, addiction in caregivers leads to a loss of skilled workers in healthcare. Often, affected nurses or doctors lose their licenses due to substance misuse. Also, it can increase healthcare costs, for example, if an elder’s caregiver neglect leads to hospitalization, or if a child is taken into foster care because a parent needs addiction treatment.

There are also public safety concerns. There have been cases where an impaired caregiver might drive with their dependent in the car, risking accidents. Society entrusts caregivers with a vulnerable population, so when addiction undermines that role, the fallout can extend to increased burden on social services and medical systems.

Practical Tools for Staying Sober While Caregiving

Recovery gets tested the minute you’re back in your routine. That’s why it helps to have practical tools. Not just ideas, but actual actions to take when the path to recovery hangs in the balance. Especially for caregivers, staying sober has to work in real-time, with real stress, and very little free space.

Here are a few tools that make a real difference:

  • Build a daily rhythm. Even a loose routine helps. That might be coffee, a short walk, or a check-in call. Something that marks your day outside of caregiving tasks.
  • Know your triggers. Write them down. Be specific. Is it the late-night silence? The guilt after an argument? The isolation? Knowing what sets you off makes it easier to respond properly.
  • Set micro-boundaries. You don’t have to overhaul your life. But even saying “no” once a day, or taking 10 minutes for yourself, adds up. Boundaries protect your energy.
  • Use support that fits your schedule. Online meetings with an addiction recovery therapist, texting a sponsor, and quick breathing exercises can work wonders even with a tight schedule.
  • Acknowledge every step. Did you skip a drink tonight? Did you pause instead of reacting? That counts as progress.

The Strongest People Need Help Too

People don’t always notice when you’re in trouble, especially if you’re the one who’s always had the answers and made things better.

If you’re deep in it, barely sleeping, and self-medicating just to function, you’re not failing. You’re simply overwhelmed. And you deserve help. Real help, now.

Addiction in caregivers isn’t a character flaw. It’s a survival response in a system that asks too much and offers too little. But you can ask for support. And you can rebuild in a way that includes you, too.

Bio: Jason Klimkowski, MBA, is an SEO & Content Manager with a background in logistics, digital marketing, and mental health writing.

 

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Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Practitioner Certification program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

A Tale of Two Counties: The Urgent Need for Drug and Alcohol Rehab in San Diego and Los Angeles

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

Happiness is about better choices while addiction leads to temporary pleasure that leads to disaster

Written by Jeremy Carter

Drug and alcohol addiction is not just a personal crisis—it’s a public health emergency, especially in densely populated and culturally diverse regions like San Diego County and Los Angeles County, California. These two Southern California counties together are home to more than 13 million people and span urban centers, coastal communities, and rural neighborhoods. While the geography may vary, the challenges related to substance use remain strikingly similar—and alarmingly severe.

Over the past decade, both counties have experienced a surge in opioid-related deaths, methamphetamine addiction, and alcohol dependency, along with rising rates of co-occurring mental health disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified these issues, contributing to social isolation, unemployment, and increased rates of substance use relapse.

But what makes the situation in San Diego and Los Angeles especially complex—and urgent—is how economic disparity, homelessness, cultural factors, and limited access to mental health care intersect with addiction. Compared to other regions of the U.S., Southern California’s rehab infrastructure must evolve rapidly to meet growing demand, offer dual-diagnosis treatment, and address these communities’ unique socio-economic and cultural characteristics.

San Diego County – A Complex Crisis in Coastal Communities

San Diego is known for its beaches and military presence, but it’s also a region grappling with escalating drug and alcohol misuse. According to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, methamphetamine continues to be the top drug leading to treatment admissions, with opioid-related deaths climbing steadily each year. In 2023 alone, over 1,000 people died from opioid overdoses in San Diego County—a number that rivals larger urban centers.

What sets San Diego apart is the strong correlation between trauma and addiction among both civilians and veterans. The presence of several military bases means many residents, both active duty and retired, suffer from PTSD, which can lead to self-medication through alcohol or illicit substances. That’s why specialized treatment for trauma-related disorders is critical in the region.

Programs like Annandale Health’s luxury rehab program recognize the deep link between trauma and substance use. Their dual-diagnosis model addresses underlying mental health conditions while offering customized rehab for long-term recovery—a critical component often missing in traditional programs.

Another area feeling the effects of rising addiction rates is Encinitas, a coastal town in North San Diego County. While Encinitas is often viewed as a wellness-centered community, local residents still face serious challenges related to alcohol dependency, prescription drug misuse, and marijuana abuse among teens. Pacific Bay Recovery’s drug and alcohol rehab program in Encinitas delivers highly personalized care in a serene setting, combining traditional therapy with holistic modalities like yoga, meditation, and nutritional counseling—fitting seamlessly into the community’s wellness values while tackling addiction at its core.

Unlike more urbanized regions, smaller towns like Encinitas benefit greatly from having rehab centers that preserve privacy and emphasize whole-body healing, helping break down the stigma that often prevents people from seeking help.

Los Angeles County – Urban Density Meets Public Health Crisis

Los Angeles County is one of the most populous counties in the U.S., with more than 10 million residents. It is a cultural and economic powerhouse—but it’s also a region with one of the highest rates of homelessness and substance abuse in the country. In 2023, over 2,400 overdose deaths were recorded in Los Angeles County, fueled by fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and excessive alcohol use. These statistics are staggering, yet they only scratch the surface.

One of the biggest barriers in L.A. is access to consistent care. The public health system is overwhelmed, and many individuals cycle through emergency rooms, detox facilities, and short-term rehab programs without long-term recovery support. Additionally, the high cost of living often prevents people from accessing private or extended residential treatment, leading to high relapse rates.

In contrast to more rural or suburban areas, Los Angeles’ density and diversity demand multi-lingual, culturally competent, and trauma-informed care.

The connection between mental health and addiction is especially pronounced in L.A., where untreated conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD often drive people toward substance use as a form of coping. This raises a common and critical question: How long is residential treatment for mental health and addiction in Los Angeles?

While treatment length varies by diagnosis and insurance coverage, most effective programs in Los Angeles offer 30-, 60-, or 90-day residential options, with ongoing outpatient care and relapse prevention extending well beyond that. Research consistently shows that longer stays produce better outcomes, especially when programs incorporate dual-diagnosis treatment and community-based support systems.

Final Thoughts: A Regional Call to Action

Drug and alcohol addiction may be a national crisis, but its impact in Southern California—particularly in San Diego and Los Angeles Counties—demands a regionally tailored response. From the trauma-informed care needed in San Diego’s veteran population to the housing-insecurity crisis affecting Los Angeles, it’s clear that one-size-fits-all rehab models simply won’t work here.

In San Diego County, housing instability and cost-of-living pressures disproportionately affect lower-income families, many of whom face barriers to accessing mental health and addiction services. In marginalized communities—particularly among Latino and Black populations—there’s also a historical mistrust of medical systems due to previous neglect and inequitable treatment. These cultural dynamics can delay or prevent individuals from seeking rehab until a crisis occurs. Programs that provide culturally sensitive care, bilingual staff, and family-oriented therapy models are vital to building trust and making care more effective.

Investing in specialized, evidence-based, and localized rehab programs—like those in Encinitas and San Diego—is essential not only for recovery but also for community well-being. Whether helping a young adult in Encinitas regain control of their life or guiding a veteran in San Diego toward healing from PTSD, these programs offer hope, health, and second chances.

Similarly, in Los Angeles County, vast economic divides can be seen street by street—from luxury high-rises to encampments of people experiencing homelessness. The intersection of homelessness and addiction is perhaps more visible in Los Angeles than anywhere else in the country. Substance use can be both a cause and a consequence of housing instability, creating a vicious cycle that’s difficult to break without integrated, long-term support. Unfortunately, public rehab programs often face overwhelming demand, long waitlists, and limited resources for follow-up care.

In both counties, stigma remains a major barrier. Many individuals and families still view addiction as a moral failing rather than a complex health condition requiring medical treatment. This stigma is particularly strong in communities of color and among older adults, who may be less familiar with modern approaches to recovery or who have seen loved ones cycle through ineffective rehab programs in the past. The solution begins with recognizing the unique needs of these regions and building addiction recovery services that are inclusive, accessible, and designed for long-term success.

Bio: Jeremy Carter is a researcher and writer specializing in higher education, ethical research, and online learning, with a strong focus on healthcare billing and revenue cycle management. With a passion for exploring the intersection of technology, academia, and medical billing, he advocates for accessible and impactful doctoral education. His work highlights the transformative power of digital learning in fostering global collaboration and ethical scholarship.

 

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Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Practitioner Certification programs and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

Use Addiction Counseling to Reject Addiction!

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
addiction counseling
addiction counseling advice – Sometimes we need a little help. No shame in asking for it.

The article, “Rejecting Addiction Over and Over Again”, by Therese Borchard states

“It’s been 24 years since I used vodka like aspirin — to numb my pain. In fact, I’ve been sober 22 years more than I drank, since I quit before I was old enough to buy the stuff.”

American Institute Health Care Professionals’ insight:
Fantastic addiction counseling advice!   I like hearing stories about people who can break away from their addictions.   24 years since a drink is a huge accomplishment.  It is stories like these that can give addicts hope in knowing that it has been done before and with a little help they can reach that milestone too.   Everyone who suffers from addiction deserves sobriety.   It can be in your grasp.    If you or someone you know suffers from an addiction, please get help.    It makes a world of a difference to some.
For more substance abuse counseling advice like the type that is found in this article, please feel free to go to our webpage.   If you are interested in courses in addiction counseling, then we have those as well.   They are available online and are self paced.   You can even take them anytime year round.    So if you are in the market for substance abuse counseling education then please check out our site.

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Understanding Addiction Counseling – How to Quit Smoking

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
Addiction Counseling
Addiction Counseling can help you drop that bad habit! Start your path to quit smoking today. Trust me you will feel better and notice a difference in a week.

The article, “Understanding the Addiction”, by By Judson Brewer states

“I had a patient who had come in to my clinic to quit smoking. He was smoking 30 cigarettes a day and had tried to quit before but to no avail. On the first night of our smoking cessation class, I taught him a simple practice.”

American Institute Health Care Professionals’ insight:
Good article on smoking, addictions in general and how addiction counseling can help.   Many times we might not think of smoking as a serious addiction but it can be just as addictive as some illegal drugs.  Just because something is socially acceptable does not mean it is right.   Smoking kills!  Smoking causes cancer, in not only the smoker but others around them as well.    Plus smoking stains your teeth and makes you smell really bad.   That is why we need good Substance Abuse Counseling.    By using the same techniques as they deploy with illegal drugs, a trained substance abuse counselor can help you put down those cigarettes for good!
Looking for information on substance counseling?   We have an excellent certification program designed for it.   All courses are available online and are self-paced.  For more Addiction Counseling Advice please visit our site.

See on www.huffingtonpost.com