Drug Treatment Methods
Drug addiction knows no socio-economic boundaries; rich and poor, young and old alike may be seduced into a drug habit by experiencing the "high" that certain drugs give them and the powerful way they make them feel, which keeps them returning to the drug dealer. The cycle continues with the user wanting more of the drug of choice until normal everyday functions become impossible. The user may lose his job, his spouse and his home and find himself living on the streets, begging for pocket change for the next fix. Drug treatment and rehabilitation are needed to get the addict back on his feet and functioning normally.
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Expert Insight
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The National Institute on Drug Abuse states: "In 2006, 23.6 million persons aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem (9.6 percent of the persons aged 12 or older). Of these, 2.5 million (10.8 percent of those who needed treatment) received treatment at a specialty facility. Thus, 21.2 million persons (8.6 percent of the population aged 12 or older) needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem but did not receive it. These estimates are similar to the estimates for 2005."
Function
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Much illicit drug use happens through users "self-medicating," while a trip to see their doctor would result in a similar effect but be monitored in regard to dose and length of time on the drug. Medication such as methadone and buprenorphine, which are given for relief of opiate addiction, and behavior therapy are two types of treatment given to drug users seeking help at drug rehabilitation centers. Group therapy usually is given every day to positively reinforce a change in lifestyle and instill positive thinking.
Considerations
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Individual drug users need individual treatments and therapies dependent on past drug addictions, frequency of use and previous drug treatment methods that have been unsuccessful. Treatment that works for one recovering addict may be useless for another; therefore a combination of therapies may be needed to help the addict recover and lead a productive life.
Features
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Medication is given to help addicts recover normal brain function, deal with cravings and prevent relapse. Withdrawal medications are given to reduce the craving for drugs and to provide a more receptive state of mind to adapt to behavior therapies offered as treatment.
Types
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Family support of the recovering drug user is encouraged as part of therapy, along with group therapy sessions such as outpatient rehabilitation centers and intensive Narcotics Anonymous meetings or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Drug users often turn to crime to satiate their addiction; if this is the case, daily visits to probation officers for a urinalysis may be ordered.
Identification
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Cognitive behavior therapy teaches about potential situations that the recovering user may come across, such as old friends that are still using and how to avoid them. Multidimensional family therapy discusses negative situations within the family unit, where a drug abuse pattern has been found, and how to handle the issues with life skills instead of escaping reality with drug use.
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