Drug Treatment Programs Combine Several Elements for Recovery
Posted under Drug Rehab on Thursday, July 29th, 2010
With a cost each year to the U.S. of more than $500 billion, substance abuse is an expensive problem – both physically, emotionally and socially. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), treatment programs for substance abuse can be an effective solution, reducing abuse rates by as much as 60 percent. Drug treatment programs exist across the country in several formats, but there are some general considerations to evaluate when referring a patient, friend or family member.
In essence, drug treatment facilities and programs allow the patient to be removed from traditional roles while they take time to recover, both physically and emotionally. Many can go full spectrum: helping with the physical symptoms of withdrawal, launching the patient on a path of lifelong recovery and preparing the family with ways to help and cope.
An addiction is characterized by the person losing their ability to control the desire to use drugs or alcohol, and often results when the substance causes changes within the brain. Drug treatment programs can vary in style, length and costs, but all are designed to help the patient break the cycle of addiction. Because addiction brings emotional, psychological and physical elements, most addicts to drugs or alcohol will be unable to break the addiction on their own. Cravings can strike at almost any time, leading to relapse after relapse. Stress at home, with finances or in the workplace make recovery even more difficult.
Evidence-based programs may be the best choice, according to experts at NIDA, because their methods are based on scientific research toward recovery. Families should seek licensed professionals, especially those trained in dual-diagnosis (such as treatment for both mental illness and drug recovery).
Typically, a one-time addiction treatment is ineffective at breaking the addiction because drug and alcohol rehabilitation involves a series of relapses. A treatment program that involves several types of interventions, careful observation and lasts long-term is more effective. NIDA recommends a treatment program of no less than three months. Some addiction, such as opioids, may require lifelong participation to maintain abstinence.
Addiction is not a temporary problem, but a clinical disease requiring support from several angles. Aside from breaking the abuse cycle, treatment programs seek overall improvement in the person’s ability to function at home, with friends and family and at work. Relapse should not be viewed as failure, but instead sends the message that the patient needs additional treatments, or modified treatments, similar to recurring physical diseases. After-care programs are another element to inquire about, as treatment must continue on an ongoing basis for many recovering addicts.
Psychologically, drug treatments can use therapies that modify behavior, teach new ways to cope and help whole families approach the treatment together. Group therapy can also help promote recovery by creating peer support groups and accountability. When combined with prescribed medications, behavioral modification therapy can be very effective. Patients may want to seek treatment programs that can involve the whole family in group sessions.
Ultimately, the success of a drug treatment program, even when it combines multiple elements, may rest on the desire of the patient to recover and regain wellness. The best drug treatment programs recognize that addiction is a lifelong condition, and that recovery can also last a lifetime.
