How does drug addiction begin? The path to drug and substance abuse begins with the voluntary intake of drugs which over long-term consumption leads to a person’s ability to choose not to do so become compromised. Hence, drug addiction could be termed as a chronic disease characterized by occasional relapses, uncontrollable drug-seeking, and use despite harmful repercussions.
Most drug addicts without proper care plan to stop drug consumption undergo relapse phases. Though recovery from addiction and drug abuse is a long-term process, drug abuse is a treatable disease that involves regular monitoring and multiple interventions from programs such as Ascendant New York that provide therapeutic interventions in support of treatment plans.
Abuse of drugs affects personal behaviors and the brain system. This, therefore, requires treatments based on your needs, the substance you are abusing, and ensure the addict stops using the drugs, stays drug-free, and becomes a productive member of society. To undergo a successful recovery and treatment, it takes a significant amount of self-discipline and willpower to maintain long-term sobriety. Discipline and patient are important factors while undergoing alcohol rehabilitation.
Drug treatments Aspire to aid the addicted individuals to halt compulsive drug seeking and usage. These recovery treatments can be undertaken either at inpatient or outpatient facilities. The drug abuse treatments involve behavioral therapy, medications, or both.
Behavioral therapy
This kind of therapy helps in developing motives to participate in drug treatment, teaches ways to avoid drugs, prevent relapse, and offers strategies for coping with drug cravings. The therapy improves communication, relationship, and family dynamic skills. Through attending support groups and behavioral contingency therapy sessions, abstinence and non-drug-using lifestyle are promoted. Behavioral therapies could involve;
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps you recognize unhealthy behavioral patterns such as food addiction, prescription drug addiction, and alcohol addiction. In turn, you develop coping skills
- Contingency behavioral therapy management entails rewarding your positive behavior of maintaining sobriety by giving you tangible rewards. This therapy is successful in combating relapse.
- Rational Emotive Behavior therapy gives you ways to combat feelings of failure and self-defeat. It helps you to realize the power of rational thinking within yourself.
Medication treatment
- Detoxification – This is a beneficial substance withdrawal that allows you to get rid of your body of addictive substances safely until no longer present in the system. This entails a combination of behavior therapy to treat the underlying cause of addiction.
- Disulfiram, acamprosate, topiramate, and naltrexone can be used for treating alcohol dependence.
- Methadone, naltrexone available for individuals addicted to opioids
- Buprenorphine can be used to treat heroin addiction
- Bupropion, Varenicline medications, and Nicotine preparations such as patches, gum, lozenges, and nasal spray can be used for treating individuals addicted to tobacco.
Conclusion
The best drug treatment program should provide a combination of therapies and other services to achieve patients’ needs. For severe addiction to multiple drug abuse, such scenarios require treatment for all substances abused. Upon completion of a drug treatment program, it is recommended to engage in support groups that are instrumental to staying on the right path to avoid relapse.