Let’s Break the Cycle of Addiction Together

Like heart disease and diabetes, Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) can be treated. Anyone can become dependent on drugs and alcohol and struggle with addiction.

Family, friends, and the public often have negative feelings about drug or alcohol use.  Addiction is not a moral failing, and we need to remember that we can all change the conversation and stop the stigma. People with a substance use disorder have a chronic disease of the brain that can be successfully treated, but stigma negatively impacts a person’s willingness to get treatment or health care and can cause significant self-esteem and mental health issues.

No one likes to feel judged or devalued. We must reduce the stigma to encourage people to ask for help and recovery.

• Offer compassionate support.
• Display kindness to people in vulnerable situations.
• Listen while withholding judgment.
• See a person for who they are, not what drugs they use.
• Learn about how drug dependency works.
• Treat people with drug or alcohol dependency with dignity and respect.
• Avoid hurtful labels.
• Replace negative attitudes with evidence-based facts.
• Speak up when you see someone mistreated because of their drug use.

988 and ePrevention: Vital Resources for All of Us

Did you know that NMHSD’s 988 Lifeline and the ePrevention SUD Prevention Screening Tool are free resources for immediate support and early intervention? 988 provides a free, 24/7 lifeline to those struggling with substance use, and is a safe and anonymous way to reach out for compassionate help and learn about local treatment services.

NMHSD and CHESS Health have partnered to launch ePrevention, a free substance use risk screening tool. 

Substance Use Risks from Adverse Childhood Experiences

Many children and young adults face hard experiences early in life, known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). New Mexico’s children and youth experience the highest rates of ACEs in the nation.  ACEs are potentially traumatic events of abuse, neglect or household dysfunction that occur before 18 years. High rates of ACEs affecting NM’s children and other social determinants of health (SDOH) such as poverty, insecure food and housing, and poor access to health care have lasting impacts on mental, physical, and behavioral health.

With early intervention and management of ACEs, risk of suicide and drug overdose can be lowered, and other chronic conditions can be managed more effectively. 

NMHSD/BHSD early intervention programs help teach parents about the dangers of substance use and ways to create a supportive, understanding and health environment for children to grow up in.

ACE Treatment and Prevention

NMHSD offers School-Based Health Centers that have behavioral health providers and staff ready to help and are located in many schools throughout NM’s 33 counties. They provide onsite primary, preventative and behavioral health services to students while reducing lost school time, removing barriers to care, promoting family involvement, and advancing the health and educational success of school-age children and adolescents. School-Based Health Centers play an important role in increasing access to primary and behavioral health services for vulnerable, hard-to-reach or at-risk children and adolescents, particularly in rural and other medically underserved areas in New Mexico.

Taking the First Step

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, it’s brave to seek help. Applying for Medicaid benefits can be the first step towards accessing life-saving services and treatments. The process is straightforward, and support is available at every stage. To learn more and to apply for Medicaid benefits, visit the YesNM Online Portal. Remember, you can always contact 988 for immediate emotional support for any type of distress, including substance use.

In New Mexico, we all need to come together to address substance use and its causes. These state-funded programs are a good place to start on any journey to recovery. As we learn about substance use and how it can affect our physical and mental well-being, we invite you to join us in taking the Dose of Wellness Pledge to be more aware, inclusive, kind and proactive. Start conversations with your family, friends, neighbors and coworkers about substance use and ways to prevent it. Together, we can create a community where every individual has the opportunity to lead a healthy life.