CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Lowcountry organizations are breaking the stigma around substance abuse and providing resources during Substance Use Disorder Treatment Awareness Month.
WakeUp Carolina leaders say having conversations about substance abuse could save lives, whether during Dry January or year-round awareness efforts.
“There can be lots of feelings of depression, anxiety, shame, feeling very alone, and when we bring it out front or recover out loud, talk about these things and shine the light on these things, people begin to realize ‘I’m not alone,’” Abby Foster, the WakeUp Carolina CARES coordinator, said.
Warning signs to watch for
Experts say some warning signs of substance abuse go unnoticed. These include someone who plans to have one drink but ends up binge-drinking, blackouts or when a substance becomes the priority in their life…