What is Substance Abuse Treatment
Dealing with Addiction
When dealing with drug addiction and substance abuse, it may seem like all hope is lost. Whether suffering from abuse yourself, or you are trying help a loved one who battles addiction, the path to health and happiness can seem daunting, sometimes impossible. However, it is important to recognize that there are many different treatment options available for those who suffer from substance abuse. Of the many different substance abuse treatment approaches, it is important to recognize that no one treatment works for everyone. Each individual addict should be analyzed individually and have a unique treatment plan developed.
Treatment with Medication
For substance abuse, be it opiates or alcohol there are many medications available that can help an addict begin to overcome the cravings of addiction. These medications help to bring a person’s brain function back to normal so that it no longer craves the drug that a person is a addicted to. Depending on the addict, a person may be prescribed one medication or possibly more than one if they abuse more than one type of substance.
For people who are addicted to opiates, there are three main medications that are beneficial. These medications include methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone. These medications help a person to stop from seeking out the drugs, and also can help them be more successful during behavioral treatments. There are three medications available for alcohol abusers, and a fourth one is being tested. The approved medications include naltrexone, acamprosate and disulfiram, and the medication being tested is topiramate. Like the other forms of substance abuse treatment, medications for alcohol addiction are best complemented by behavioral therapies and treatments.
Behavioral Treatments
When it becomes to behavioral treatments for substance abuse, there are generally two basic options. One option is an outpatient treatment program, which allows a person to come and go to different therapies and classes. A second option is residential treatment which requires a person to live in a center and focus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on fighting their addiction.
Types of Programs
Many of these rehab programs are what are referred to as needs-based. In other words, the program was designed and developed to target the personal needs of an individual and there are numerous elements taken into consideration. The following will give you an idea of the various needs-based substance abuse treatment options:
- Age– teens, adults, and seniors
- Dual diagnosis– combined addiction with mental illness
- Economic and financial status– court-ordered, luxury and private, or state-funded
- Ethnicity or race
- Gender– men only and women only
- In-patient– short-term or long-term
- Out-patient
- Spiritual beliefs– Christian, Faith-based, Holistic, etc.
- Type of substance– alcohol or specific substances (e.g. amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, prescription medications, etc.)
Although there are others, these are the primary types. Before entering any substance abuse and recovery program, you will need to determine which program is going to address your needs the most effectively.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment centers have four different focus areas. Cognitive therapy aims to help a patient recognize a situation which would encourage them to use drugs or alcohol, and avoid such instances in the future. Multidimensial family therapy allows entire families to focus on fighting substance abuse and aims to improve the functioning of the entire family. Motivational interviewing allows a patient to come to terms with their own readiness to change, and motivational incentives give patients incentive to continue to work toward substance abuse relief.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment centers are typically most effective for those with severe substance abuse problems. A patient can stay at a center anywhere from six months to one year, or longer. While at a treatment center, a patient learns how to socialize in the world without needing drugs or other substances.
Often times, addicts find that a blend of medical and behavioral treatments work best toward fighting addiction and overcoming substance abuse. Whether a person is an alcoholic or addicted to drugs, it is important to recognize that each individual needs a specialized plan in order to overcome their issues. Patience, understanding and love are all helpful when battling substance abuse, and with time, many addicts are able to overcome the perils of substance abuse.
Contact Delray Recovery Center Today
If you or someone you care for is currently caught up in the destructive grip of addiction, please seek help with Delray Addiction Treatment Center. We are an substance abuse treatment provider that understands the struggle. We know the suffering of the addict and the heartache of the families involved.
Call us today at the toll free number at the top of the page. If you are fearful of voicing the problem, please simply fill out our form. Any measure of contact is a step in the right direction.
