| Drug abuse treatment recognizes that addiction is a | | | | treatment programs that use substitute drugs have |
| disease like any other. As such, it requires expert help | | | | some drawbacks, because the abuser will eentually |
| from a licensed counselor and assistance from a | | | | need to quit the substitute. An integrated treatment |
| medical doctor. Any treatment plan must involve | | | | comprising behavior modification therapy as well as |
| modifying behaviors so that the patient can live a | | | | the ultimate withdrawal of all medications can |
| healthy, productive life. | | | | produce lasting abstinence. |
| Drug Abuse Treatment Options | | | | Types of Programs |
| Depending on the types of drugs abused, other | | | | Some drug abuse programs are inpatient programs; |
| drugs may be required required in the treatment | | | | others rely on regular attendance of an outpatient |
| process. Certain narcotics have been developed and | | | | care facility. Some patients also attend |
| are prescribed by doctors to allow the detoxification | | | | Multidimensional Family Therapy. Entire families |
| from an abused drug. Methodone and Buprenorphine | | | | participate in these programs, which seek to minimize |
| are examples of drugs used for opioid addiction. | | | | myriad environmental factors that contribute to drug |
| Without these drugs, patients would undergo severe | | | | abuse. |
| withdrawal symptoms that might pose a health risk | | | | Outpatient care consists of regular, scheduled visits |
| or force them to take illegal drugs to ease their | | | | with a doctor or a treatment counselor. Most |
| suffering. | | | | programs also include support groups, and some have |
| No particular drug treatment option will suit every | | | | 24-hour hotlines that patients can call for emergency |
| addict. Each drug abuse case must be assessed | | | | counseling. These programs work best for patients |
| independently so a program can be tailor-made for | | | | who are abusing drugs that don't cause physical |
| each patient. Treatment options need to address | | | | addiction and who genuinely want to recover. |
| other existing issues that may have contributed to | | | | In chronic drug abuse cases, or cases where the |
| the dependency. For example, someone who has | | | | drugs cause a physical addiction, residential treatment |
| experienced grief may resort to alcohol or | | | | programs are often necessary. The patient may be in |
| prescription drugs to numb their emotional pain. Social | | | | care for a lengthy period, learning how to interact |
| ties may need to broken, if friends are encouraging | | | | with others, while at the same time withdrawing |
| or facilitating the addiction. | | | | from drug dependency and receiving treatment for |
| In some cases, a pre-existing mental disorder needs | | | | any drug-related illnesses. Hepatitis or HIV/AIDS are |
| to be treated as well as the drug abuse problem | | | | often contracted as a direct result of drug abuse. |
| itself. Occasionally, mental disorders are undiagnosed, | | | | Other diseases can be contracted, too; some are |
| misunderstood or drugs meant to treat the disorder | | | | contagious without sharing drug paraphernalia. |
| have been misused, resulting in chronic dependency. | | | | Many people often have a relapse and need to seek |
| Easing the withdrawal crisis that occurs when a | | | | help on more than one occasion. Over the course of |
| person stops using drugs is not always possible. No | | | | many years, recovering addicts still report the |
| amount of reassurance that things will get better is | | | | process as being a day-to-day challenge. |
| an effective drug treatment option. Drug abuse | | | | |