Substance abuse treatment is the only real option for many people addicted to alcohol or drugs. Treatment can be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis and there are advantages and disadvantages to both types of treatment. Some programs are restricted to alcohol or other drugs, while other programs incorporate both alcohol and drugs into the same program. Inpatient substance abuse treatment is more intense than the outpatient programs. The inpatient program can last for 30 days or can extend indefinitely, depending on the funding of the patient. People live in a confined setting and are monitored for detoxification. They are often prevented from leaving the program and they attend group and individual therapy during the day. They may have recreational programs but these are not part of the actual treatment. Inpatients work hard on their issues and try to find out the underlying problems that have contributed to their substance use. If they graduate from this type of program, they …show more content…
Narcotic users can be given medication to help with cravings. Users of other drugs have their own issues with withdrawal and learning to stay away from drugs. Those who use drugs, particularly narcotics, can transition into NA as an outpatient to get as much support for staying clean as possible. The goals of substance abuse treatment are (1) the detoxification of the patient from their drugs of choice, (2) managing withdrawal symptoms, (3) learning new coping methods around drug abuse and (4) reintegrating into society without drugs. If the person doesn't have a stable living situation or has a lot of friends who use and abuse drugs or alcohol, it will be more difficult for the individual to recover completely from substance abuse. This is why inpatient therapy is sometimes better for those who don't have the family or other support they
These programs may include detoxification of the addicted individual as well as a treatment program that lasts anywhere from 7-21 days (Hanser, 2010). The length of time of this jail diversion treatment program is often based on the cravings and inevitable withdrawal from the substance abuser’s addiction. An added mode of treatment or therapy for substance abusers is self-help groups. After release from the above programs, addicts have the opportunity (or are required) to attend 12-step programs that will aid in the recovery of substance abuse.
It has been said that addiction is the plague of the 21st century. In an age of unprecedented life expectancy and medical breakthroughs, people are dying from both disease and overdose that are self inflicted and the cure is currently out of reach. Implementing progressive ideas such as safe injection sites have been a battle, both for caring social workers and front line emergency workers looking to minimize the health risks associated with risk taking behaviors that inevitably occur with intravenous drug use. While the addicted population currently uses considerable government funding by way of shelter services as well as prison and jail time, safe injection sites are a necessary step in the battle against drug abuse as is a major prevention
There are many options for substance addiction treatment and utilizing medication as a means of eliminating substance use is one that has been called a double edge sword. There are two schools of thought with medically assisted treatment. First, let 's define medication assisted treatment (MAT): “it is the use of pharmacological medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Research indicates that a combination of medication and behavioral therapies can successfully treat substance use disorders, and for some people struggling with addiction, MAT can help sustain recovery” (Watkins, 2016). One side of this treatment option is that it provides that extra little nudge to start recovery with less or more withdrawal symptoms. For example, disulfiram is an alcohol aversion agent, that when taken with alcohol the person becomes very ill (Watkins, 2016). There are also other medications that help with reducing symptoms of withdrawal, such as methadone.
Most treatment programs will work with the family once a client has achieved some level of abstinence. When the client enters treatment, some treatment providers usually refer family members, including children, to a separate treatment program or to self help groups. These educational support groups can provide an age appropriate understanding about addiction as well as opportunities for members to discuss their experiences and learn an assortment of coping skills, few treatment programs provide such groups. School-age children can also be referred to student assistance programs at their schools.
...bad situations, avoid drugs, and cope with their feelings(Beidel& Bulik 2014). One option would be an Agonist substitution “a type of therapy that substitutes a chemically similar drug with safe medication for the drug of abuse” (Beidel& Bulik 2014).Some other methods of treatment would to use antagonist treatments to block the sensations that the drug sends to the brain by blocking the receptors. They also suggest aversive symptom treatments. This substitution drug may help when someone goes into detoxification to help wean them off a drug (Beidel& Bulik 2014). Another way to treat a person with substance abuse would get into an intervention program like Alcoholics Anonymous or another self-help group. Programs that also could be tried are Relapse Prevention, Avoidance of the stimulus and 12 Step approach and motivational enhancement therapy (Beidel& Bulik 2014).
Drug addiction is more complicated than medicine thought in previous years. It’s not because someone is weak or unable to control themselves. They are chemical such a dopamine in the human body that makes the process difficult. The brain works in a neuropath way and drug interrupt the normal process which stops the frontal lobe to work as it should. Treatment isn’t done right and patients tend to repeat their habit after they get out of rehab. Psychological treatment is not as effective as chemical injection for dopamine to reward the brain. However, even after the treatment is complete, it will be a life struggle to stay away from drugs since the brain will always look for a simpler way to reward itself.
Furthermore, each alternative has its advantages and disadvantages. Trying to solve this problem completely alone is probably the worst solution. A person receives no outside support or help. A rehabilitation/recovery center is expensive but provides strict daily routine and continuous professional guidance and support. The patient is away from family and his normal life; therefore, he may resort back to alcohol when he is back in the "real world".
Though not much research has been done to find out the effectiveness on NA meetings for persons with addictions, there are some studies done to show outcomes of this form of treatment. Many addicts try to put themselves in rehab or some form of treatment to help them with their recovery. According to the article “Attendance at Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, frequency of attendance and substance use outcomes after residential treatment for drug dependence: a 5-year follow-up study” by Michael Gossop, Duncan Stewart, John Marsden, they state “…the relatively high rate of relapse which often occurs after leaving treatment gives rise to concern” (Gossop, Stewart, & Marsden ,2008). This means after rehab there is no form of treatment helping them with their sobriety. “Studies that looked specifically at NA have found an association between group attendance and improved drug-using outcomes and length of time in NA has been found to be related to abstinence from illicit drugs” (Gossop, Stewart, & Marsden ,2008). Another study on youth, ages ranging from 30 and under, from the article “Can 12-step group participation strengthen and extend the benefits of adolescent addiction treatment? A prospective analysis” by John Kelly, Sarah Dow, Julie Yeterian, and Christopher Kahler, explains “…high post-treatment rates
She also recognizes that there is little she can do to help herself while continuing to reside in her current environment. The treatment program in which she is enrolled does not remove her from the stressors and triggers in her normal, everyday life. According to Clinton and Scalise, “an inpatient drug rehabilitation center is the most effective means by which a heroin addict can be helped” (Clinton & Scalise, 2013). An inpatient drug rehabilitation center would be an ideal facility in order to provide her with a fresh and clean and healthy environment in which to recover. An inpatient treatment center will allow for all other medical needs to be addressed in addition to the main focus on recovery from substance use disorder. (Doweiko, 2012) During the time spent at a facility such as this, the goal would be for the patient to leave with the knowledge and skills to continue in their recovery even if they must return to their initial harmful environment. Here both psychological and physical needs are
In patient programs can also be very effective, especially for those with more severe problems. They are highly structured programs in which patients remain at a residence, typically for 6 to 12 months. Treatment Centers differ from other treatment approaches principally in their use of the community—treatment staff and those in recovery—as a key agent of change to influence patient attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors associated with drug use. Patients in TCs may include those with relatively long histories of drug addiction, involvement in serious criminal activities, and seriously impaired social functioning. The focus of the TC is on the resocialization of the patient to a drug-free, free living lifestyle and delivers healthy coping mechanisms for individuals that have not been able to function in society without the use of a mood altering substance.
Main Point: The effects on a person after they become addicted to something can be small, or they can be great, depending on the length of time they are exposed to the addictive behavior or substance and what caused it. The addiction affects the addict’s health, career and relationships. I can tell you from personal experience with having family members who were addicts, that I was traumatized growing up. (Personal story about couple arguing here.) According to Roxanne Edwards of Medicine.net, “In terms of effects on the body, intoxication with a substance can cause physical effects that range from marked sleepiness and slowed breathing …to the rapid heart rate...” In addition, psychologically they can have suicidal thoughts or elation depending on the addictive substance or behavior. This is why it is important for the addict to seek help because they cannot get rid of the issue on their own. Most of the time, addicts go through some sort of rehab treatment and when they are released they are instructed to go to meetings that help with the aftermath of addiction. Just a few of these groups are places like Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous, or even Celebrate Recovery. Although some places believe that these programs do not work, it is well worth mentioning that the success rates depend on the want to of the person working them. They have to want to remain sober or free from the addiction or they will go right back to it. Alcohol Rehab.com puts it this way, “Failure to
Substance abuse complicates almost every aspect of care for the person with a mental disorder. When drugs enter the brain, they can interrupt the work and actually change how the brain performs its jobs; these changes are what lead to compulsive drug use. Drug abuse plays a major role when concerning mental health. It is very difficult for these individuals to engage in treatment. Diagnosis for a treatment is difficult because it takes time to disengage the interacting effects of substance abuse and the mental illness. It may also be difficult for substance abusers to be accommodated at home and it may not be tolerated in the community of residents of rehabilitation programs. The author states, that they end up losing their support systems and suffer frequent relapses and hospitalizations (Agnes B. Hatfield, 1993).
Teen Drug Use I once read in an article “Some teens use alcohol or drugs to dull the pain in their lives”. When they are given a choice to take something to make them temporarily feel better, many cannot resist” (Look). The use of drugs will [affect] the everyday lives of many teenagers today. Throughout history, more and more teenagers have turned to the use of drugs to help them through their everyday struggles. Many teens often feel as if they cannot deal with the everyday pain they may be going through.
Drug abuse has been a hot topic for our society due to how stimulants interfere with health, prosperity, and the lives of others in all nations. All drugs have the potential to be misapplied, whether obtained by prescription, over the counter, or illegally. Drug abuse is a despicable disease that affects many helpless people. Majority of those who are beset with this disease go untreated due to health insurance companies who neglect and discriminate this issue. As an outcome of missed opportunities of treatments, abusers become homeless, very ill, or even worst, death.
In conclusion drug addiction is a very terrible and challenging problem. It affects individuals, families, and the people around them. It is important that drug addicts realize that they must want to stop and seek help for the problem. The drug addict needs the support of friends and family, so they can make it through this process. The process to recover from drug addiction can take a lifetime. There is hope for a drug addict who wants to change their life for the better.