Substance abuse and addiction problems do not discriminate between class, income, or socioeconomic status. Someone from any walk of life can struggle with addiction.
Studies show, however, that individuals raised with affluence display significantly higher rates of substance abuse than those from different backgrounds. Understanding the reasons behind these addictions, and learning how to get past affluence as a barrier to recovery, can save a life.
Reasons for Addiction
When examining the life of someone raised in affluence, one might find suffocating societal pressures, isolation from parents, and issues with depression and anxiety. This is in contrast to what people often assume of children raised in the upper class. The assumption is often that these individuals are “privileged,” and therefore must lead benign lives. This couldn’t be further from the truth in many situations. The teenage years can be difficult for any young boy or girl.
In affluent households, parents may impose high expectations on their children. It’s normal for parents to want the best for their kids, but in wealthy families the pressure is more extreme. Expectations from family and friends creates a significant amount of stress on a young adult, leading to anxiety and/or depression. Ultimately, these teens may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with these feelings.
Young adults of affluence may also find themselves home alone more often than other teens within their age group. Affluent parents often have busy careers that keep them away from home for long periods of time, potentially weakening relationships. Children with the highest likelihood of abusing drugs and alcohol are those with unhealthy or broken relationships with their parents. Lack of parental supervision and guidance can also make it easier for a teen to access and use substances.
Affluence as a Barrier to Recovery
On top of affluence contributing to the likelihood of addiction, it can also create a barrier to recovery.
While many people struggling with substance dependencies exhibit denial, this feeling may be stronger in affluent people. They have the money and resources to deal with issues relating to substance abuse, such as loss of a job, expensive habits, or legal trouble. Being able to keep these consequences at bay can create the illusion that substance abuse is not a problem, perpetuating the addiction. The individual may never hit “rock bottom,” and may therefore never seek help for an addiction.
Furthermore, people who hold high positions in society may resist entering a recovery program for fear of “falling from grace.” The media has too often portrayed rehabilitation in a negative light, associating it with people who have moral dilemmas or self-control issues. For teens of affluence, the idea of seeking help for substance addictions can seem too embarrassing or harmful to their reputations to actually pursue. These individuals may need a push in the right direction from a concerned loved one.
Inspire the Desire to Recover
If you believe your teen is struggling with a drug or alcohol dependency problem, help is available at The Dunes East Hampton. We specialize in helping individuals from affluent backgrounds recover from addiction in a luxurious, and completely private setting. Our Hamptons, New York location caters especially to wealthy clients in need of personalized professional help. Luxury alcohol detox and drug programs are tailored for these individuals specifically, which greatly increases the likelihood of long-term success.
Our residential estate offers several effective recovery programs, all set within our beautiful gated community. We have created a peaceful environment that is conducive to sobriety and healing.
Our treatment programs are steeped in respect and understanding for those who have lived affluent lives. Addiction treatment and rehab professionals empathize with the daily stressors involved with this kind of lifestyle, and know how to inspire the desire to recover in each of our guests. Within our program, we bring a deep understanding of wealth and luxury to the table, teaching guests how to cope in healthy ways. Our guests learn how to accept sobriety as it relates to their lifestyles.
Get the Help Your Child Needs
If your son or daughter needs help overcoming addiction, we invite you to contact us and speak with one of our knowledgeable counselors, who can give you more details on how our programs successfully treat these unique cases. “One-size-fits-all” programs cannot achieve the same results as our caring, laser-focused treatment options.
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