3 Important Facts about Addiction Treatment for Persons with Disabilities

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Substance abuse addiction is a disease that touches all groups of people, including those with physical or sensory disabilities. Individuals with disabilities encounter many physical and emotional challenges that can drive some to turn to long-term alcohol or drug use as a solution. 

However, unlike other groups, it can be difficult for those with disabilities to find effective addiction treatment that can accommodate their specific needs. Addiction recovery for persons with disabilities is a much different process than patients typically experience due to various unique factors and circumstances. 

How Addiction Affects Persons with Disabilities

Although there is still some debate amongst experts over the exact number of individuals with disabilities who suffer from addiction, we know that substance addiction profoundly affects the lives of those with it. When someone has an addiction and disability, it can:

  • Hinder their muscle control and coordination
  • Disrupt their cognitive abilities 
  • Affect their financial and housing situation
  • Lead to the deterioration of their relationships and cause isolation
  • Result in dangerous interactions with the medications they’re taking

Addiction Risk Factors For Persons with Disabilities

While anyone can suffer from addiction, individuals with disabilities face unique risk factors that can lead to long-term alcohol or drug use and dependence, such as:

  • Chronic pain and other medical issues
  • Higher likelihood of social isolation
  • Greater access to prescription pain medications
  • Less access to substance addiction preventive resources
  • Increased risk of mental illness, like depression and anxiety

Barriers to Addiction Treatment for Persons with Disabilities

Over recent years, increased efforts have been made to enhance addiction treatment accessibility for those with disabilities. However, many barriers still prevent individuals with disabilities from getting the help they need. 

Whether it’s hallways that are too narrow for wheelchair users or missing navigational features for the visually impaired, treatment facilities often lack the necessary accommodations for those with physical and sensory disabilities to use their programs.

Along with physical barriers, other factors make addiction treatment difficult for individuals with disabilities, like: 

  • Lack of experience amongst doctors to recognize signs of addiction within the disability community 
  • Reluctance from some individuals with disabilities to reveal their addiction status out of fear of possibly losing disability benefits
  • Lack of training and experience among addiction treatment counselors on how to best work with individuals with disabilities 

At Twin Town Treatment Centers, we offer professional, inclusive care that will benefit your addiction recovery journey, no matter your circumstances. We recognize that everyone has unique needs and do our best to accommodate them every step of the process. Visit one of our five drug addiction treatment centers throughout Orange County and the Los Angeles metropolitan area, where we offer personalized support to our patients through resources like our intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) programs and drug addiction treatments that have been shaped to give you the specific help you need. Get in touch today by calling us at (866) 594-8844 or filling out our online form to get started. Our team of drug addiction treatment professionals will provide you with a no-cost interview and assessment for alcohol and drug issues.