Residents Cut From Welfare for Substance Abuse Aren’t Getting Referred to Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers in Mississippi As Promised
State residents on welfare who test positive for substance abuse are failing to receive the referrals, funds, and help needed to overcome addiction at alcohol and drug rehab centers in Mississippi. According to Paul Nelson of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, the state isn’t using its resources to connect these individuals with substance abuse programs.
Instead, Mississippi is shifting the responsibility to Medicaid, saying this program should cover addiction treatment since many state programs currently lack funding and have long patient waiting lists.
If you are struggling with drug or alcohol abuse and live in Mississippi, understand there are several local rehab centers that can help you overcome dependency and achieve sobriety. Call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 888-414-2380 to learn more about substance abuse treatment centers devoted to helping you overcome addiction.
Connecting Addicts on Welfare With Addiction Treatment
Residents who were cut from welfare due to substance abuse aren’t being given access to rehab treatment.
In 2014 Mississippi began screening all residents on welfare programs for substance abuse — requiring those at high risk for addiction to undergo drug testing. Those who tested positive for substance abuse were to be given “a list of approved substance use disorder treatment providers,” according to the law. However, of the 56 residents removed from welfare for testing positive for drugs within the last two years, not one person has been connected with substance abuse treatment.
According to Representative Sam Mims who helped legalize the bill, testing individuals on welfare for substance abuse can help those individuals become better community members and parents. Governor Phil Bryant adds that the new screening process can make a positive impact on welfare families being affected by substance abuse. But Mississippi residents are being cut from welfare benefits without being provided help in the form of rehab treatment.
Nine other states in addition to Mississippi also implemented drug-testing protocols for residents on welfare, and have promised to help these individuals. But just like Mississippi, these states are failing to provide resources for addiction treatment programs, and failing to guarantee slots for residents who need help. Local news sources also point out that states are spending millions per year on drug testing, but that drug tests are doing nothing to benefit public safety and substance abuse rates in Mississippi.
Exploring Rehab Benefits for Residents on Welfare
Residents on welfare who suffer from substance abuse can improve their health, relationships, and overall livelihood by seeking addiction treatment at drug and alcohol rehab centers. Rehab centers not only help addicts achieve sobriety, but offer counseling, therapy, and education courses that can better their lives following rehab. For instance, those on welfare who struggle financially due to addiction can learn how to rebuild their careers and make better lives for themselves after rehab.
Many rehab centers also integrate family counseling and therapy with treatment, which allows parents, siblings, and children to work together on improving relationships that might have been torn by addiction. Rehab centers also teach recovering addicts the skills they need to cope and function optimally in society without turning to drugs or alcohol in times of stress. Rehab centers throughout Mississippi offer several addiction treatments and therapies that can be tailored to each patient based on his or her individual needs.
If you or someone you care about lives in Mississippi and suffers from substance abuse, don’t wait any longer to get help. Nobody should ever have to overcome addiction on their own. Call our 24/7 helpline at 888-414-2380 to learn more about alcohol and drug rehab centers in Mississippi that can help you or your loved one achieve sobriety from addictive substances.
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