According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), 1 out of 12 adults in the United States is suffering from a form of alcohol abuse or addiction (including chemical dependency), based on the fact that alcohol is the most popular addictive substance in our country. In a very surprising twist, however, researchers have confirmed that rates of addiction and abuse might be even stronger among disabled people. For example, in 2015, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) confirmed that an estimated 24 million Americans aged 18 and older suffered from vision problems. Ultimately, a blinder person can turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism for stress, despair, and other issues that arise from their vision problems. Let’s take a closer look at how you can find a rehabilitation program if you are a blind alcoholic or abuser or if your friend/loved one falls into this category.
The Problem with Alcohol and Vision Problems
Ultimately, blindness can be caused by a variety of factors including macular degeneration, illnesses, or injuries or can be instigated by an accident, genetic condition, or eye infection. Likewise, in truly unfortunate cases, people are born completely blind. No matter the case, though, the inability to see can cause a great deal of physical and mental stress for a person whose world is entirely black. In this case, dangerous substances like alcohol can provide temporary ease (at least in the mind of an abuser or an alcoholic).
Programs for Blind Patients
Even though a person suffers from blindness, they can still receive excellent treatment, including options for communication and navigation. As dictated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), not every treatment facility will fully meet the criteria for a special case (in the case of films or books that are used as addiction recovery tools). However, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that some programs offer Braille signs and navigation tools to help blind abusers and addicts navigate their world with ease. Likewise, some staff members at these facilities will be trained to help blind people communicate more effectively.
Always remember that alcohol does not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your alcohol abuse or addiction troubles today.
