Archive for October, 2009
What is Involved in Drug Addiction Treatment?
Drug addiction is a condition, which is characterised by an irrepressible and compulsive need to use drugs. It is a complex and chronic disease, which can take over your life, and make it difficult to focus on other aspects. It is a pathological condition, which is described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental [...]
Drug addiction is a condition, which is characterised by an irrepressible and compulsive need to use drugs. It is a complex and chronic disease, which can take over your life, and make it difficult to focus on other aspects. It is a pathological condition, which is described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). It has been proved that prolonged drug use has a negative effect on brain functioning.
Fortunately, there is a way out. There are treatments available for all kinds of drug addictions. Drugs fall into two categories, hard and soft. Hard drugs include cocaine, heroin, crystal meth, and OxyContin, etc, which have severe withdrawal symptoms that make the recovery process harder. Addictions to soft drugs such ecstasy, marijuana, valium, and other medical drugs, are relatively easier to kick.
The first step in drug addiction treatment is to accept that you have a problem. This is something that is essential for true recovery. If any of your loved ones is in denial, then it is time to stage an intervention, and make them realise how their actions are ruining their life. The second step is to check yourself, or your loved one either into rehabilitation or into a treatment centre. There are various types of programmes that offer help in drug rehabilitation, including residential treatment, outpatient, local support groups, extended care centres, and recovery or sober houses.
Drug addiction treatment should serve two purposes. Firstly, it aims to eliminate the physical dependency of the drug. The patient has to go through a detoxification process that helps to cope with the withdrawal symptoms, which can last for a couple of weeks. When drug use is frequent, the brain develops a dependency on the drug, and becomes very hard to live without taking a hit.
Secondly, it also targets the psychological dependency of the drug. Many drug addicts use drugs as a means of escaping their problems. Through treatment, they are helped in exploring other ways of handling stress, and becoming strong enough to say no to drugs.
Many drugs are used in the treatment of addiction that can help decrease the dependency and withdrawal symptoms for patients. Opioid medications such as methadone and buprenorphine are widely used to treat addiction and dependence on drugs such as heroin, morphine, or oxycodone. More recently, the drug Ibogaine is used in order to lessen both physical dependence and psychological craving for a wide range of drugs including narcotics, stimulants, alcohol, and nicotine. Often, antidepressants are also used.
The twelve-step programme is one of the most popular treatment regimes, and is followed by a number of people. It is essential that once you complete your treatment, you continue with your aim of kicking the drug habit, the best way to do this is to join an anonymous club of the respective drug, such as Alcohol Anonymous. This can provide you guidance, and support through group meetings, and a sponsor.
No matter what kind of treatment you choose, it will not work until you are committed to it. It is important not to give up and take your time in the healing process.
Choose the Best Drug Addiction Treatment Center
It is a fact that more than 20 million Americans today need professional help to get rid of alcohol and drug addiction. Most of the times this addiction pertains to some substance abuse, medical drugs abuse or alcohol but the actual problem is, the sufferers never realize that they need help and treatment to get [...]
It is a fact that more than 20 million Americans today need professional help to get rid of alcohol and drug addiction. Most of the times this addiction pertains to some substance abuse, medical drugs abuse or alcohol but the actual problem is, the sufferers never realize that they need help and treatment to get rid of their nasty addictions.
Numerous alcohol and drug addiction treatment centers are spread across all states in US. They include both public and private centers. Most of them offer wide range of services catering to different problems. But sufferers need to first realize and accept that they need help than only they can be benefited from these services.
Treatment programs in these centers are designed keeping in mind the common and general addictions. Before joining any such program try to take suggestion from your doctor. The treatment program should match to your requirement and should address to your specific problem in order for you to benefit from the program effectively.
Different kind of problems requires different kind of treatment and rehab method largely depends on the severity of the problem and the underlying actual cause of the problem. You can even speak with the people who already got treatment so that you can get a clear idea about what you can expect at these centers.
Most of the programs include 5 treatment levels: detoxification, primary care, extended care, partial and out-patient follow-up care. Doctors analyze cases individually and suggest which level fits best for the individual. If the condition is severe and addiction is prolonged than all 5 levels of treatments may be necessary.
