Types of Drug Abuse Treatments
There are a variety of drug abuse treatments available to assist with a variety of addiction needs. The type and length of treatment would depend on:
- The individual (tolerance level, gender, history of substance abuse, etc.)
- The substance being abused
- The length of time the substance has been abused
- The amount of substance (on average) abused
- Whether or not the individual has any health/medical problems
- Has the individual previously attended drug abuse treatment
As a chronic, recurring illness, drug addiction may require repeated treatments in order to increase the intervals between relapses and diminish their intensity until total abstinence can be achieved. Through treatment tailored to specific individual needs, people with a drug addiction can go on to lead healthy, happy and productive sober lives.
The ultimate goal of drug abuse treatment is to enable an individual to achieve lasting abstinence. In order to achieve this goal, there are several types of treatment approaches that have proven to be effective.
Medication
Medication treatment can be used to help with a variety of aspects of the treatment process, specifically, withdrawal. Medications are used to re-establish normal brain function and to prevent relapse. Medication is also used to diminish cravings during withdrawal and throughout the treatment process.
Behavioral Treatments
Behavioral treatments or Behavioral Counseling helps patients engage in the treatment process by modifying their attitudes and behaviors in relation to substance abuse. Behavioral treatments teach addicted individuals new skills like how to lead a healthy life. Behavioral treatments can either be conducted on an outpatient level or during residential treatment. Types of behavioral treatments may include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy seeks to help patients recognize, avoid and cope with the situations in which they are most likely to abuse drugs or alcohol.
- Multidimensional Family Therapy. Multidimensional Family Therapy addresses a range of influences on the drug abuse patterns of adolescents and is designed for adolescents and their families.
- Motivational Interviewing. Motivational Interviewing capitalizes on the readiness of individuals to change their behavior and enter treatment.
- Motivational Incentives. Motivational Incentives provides positive reinforcement to encourage abstinence from drugs and alcohol via a reward system.
Drug abuse treatment can be provided at an inpatient level, outpatient level or community based support group level. There are also a wide variety of support groups and educational forums available on the Internet.
Long-term residential treatment provides 24-hour care in a non-hospital setting. Residential programs have a length of stay that could be anywhere from 30 days to a year or more. Residential treatment focuses on the “resocialization” of the individual into society by utilizing the treatment center as a “community.” Treatment focuses on accountability and responsibility. Treatment is highly structured and can at times be very confrontational. Activities are designed to help residents examine damaging beliefs, self-concepts and patterns of behavior to adopt new, more harmonious and constructive ways to interact with others.
Outpatient treatment typically costs less than residential treatment and is more suitable for individuals who are employed or have extensive social supports already in place. These low-intensity programs offer little more than drug education and admonition. Inpatient models such as intensive day treatment can be comparable to a residential treatment setting. In many outpatient programs, group counseling is emphasized.
Short-term residential treatment programs provide intensive but brief residential treatment based on a modified 12-step program. This type of treatment model averages 3-6 weeks and is typically followed by extended outpatient therapy and participation in a self-help group.
Medical detoxification is a process whereby individuals are systematically withdrawn from addicting drugs or alcohol in an inpatient or outpatient setting, typically while under the care of a doctor or other medical staff.
Drug Abuse Treatment
E-mail: drug_rehab_counselor@narconon-stonehawk.com