Substance Abuse Treatment Paper

I chose to research substance abuse treatment programs. This subject interests me because I am going into substance abuse counseling as my profession. The field of corrections needs a better understanding and ways to help to in need of substance abuse treatment. I learned a lot about my topic of treatment for substance abuse in prison, voluntary and involuntary treatment centers.
I found that some goals of the people that are entering substance abuse treatment centers and their addictions are rarely straightforward, because the most addictions are complex in the way they are treated and some may call addiction a disease. Treatment approaches vary, depending upon the users needs. Substance abuse does not occur overnight and people often have

mental, social and emotional factors that connect with their substance abuse and addiction. Therefore, the users treatment goals are often multi-layered, addressing the substance, mental health and various social issues to help to overcome their addiction.
Counseling is a great resource for most people in treatment for substance abuse. The major goal of these programs is to undergo some type of counseling or therapy to see where the underlying issue of the addiction may have occurred. There are many types of treatments available. Group therapy is the most common form of treatment for substance abuse. Most of these programs are based on not using substances well you are seeking help. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are some options of ongoing treatment. These goals is to following a 12-steps program, while some treatment groups for a limited time.
Medication is another important part of the addict’s recovery. Some medication for substance abuse and addiction can be for both withdrawal and prevention of relapse. The withdrawal happened when the addict is physiologically addicted to the substance stops using. When this happens, the user’s body experiences symptoms like sweating, shaking and anxiety that are caused by withdrawal. Medication for withdrawal is made to ease the distress on the user. Other medications can be used to help people continue abstinence from a substance, like a person addicted to heroin would be given methadone to help with the withdrawal and the cravings to uses again. (ehow)
Psycho-education is also an option to assist you on your journey to recovery. Psycho-education is an important part of treatment for anyone receiving help for problems with substance use because helping the user learn about their addiction and what the process of recovery is can help them to understand why they need to stop. Psycho-education can help the user learn about the biologic part of their addiction and their own mental, emotional and behavioral health. The main goal for psycho-education is teaching the user, family and friends about what the effects of drug use can and will do for the addict.
In the correctional system, there has been a significant increase in the numbers of drug user’s that are being incarcerated. These amount is about 7.1 million people are under some form of criminal supervision. An estimated one-half of all prisoners, and some offenders changed with non-drug crimes meet the criteria of drug abuse or dependence. (Chandler)
The journal of Treating Drug Abuse and Addiction in the Criminal Justice System said,

During the past 20 years.

Molecular and imaging studies have revealed addiction as a brain disorder with a strong genetic component, and this has galvanized research on new pharmacological treatments. However, a large disconnect remains between addiction research and the treatment of addiction in general, particularly within the criminal justice system. This is evidenced in that most prisoners 80% who could benefit from drug abuse treatment do not receive it.

This is where the correction system needs to be improved and why I want to become a counselor for the addicted public. The need is obviously out there for the individual to assist in helping the addicted public in our prison system. Without the people in the correct jobs, there is no way changes can be made. In addition, drug-using offenders are at higher risk for infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis and frequently have psychiatric disorders, which highlight the need for treatment of this population. Not treating a drug abuser is a missed opportunity to simultaneously improve both public health and safety. Integrating treatment in the criminal justice system would provide treatment to individuals who otherwise would not receive it, improving their medical outcomes and decreasing their rates of

re-incarceration.
Although substance abuse treatment is a valuable tool. The most important step to recovery from an addiction is to first want the help to overcome their addiction. Addiction treatment is available almost anywhere you look, there is a Narcotics Anonymous meeting about anywhere you are. Therefore, the user is never really alone in their addiction like they may feel. There are plenty of resources out there for addicts to utilize. They just need the council to know when and where they are available. I feel my career choice will be an excellent way for me to give back to the community and truly help those in need.
My topic can be enhanced to better serve Corrections by correction facilities having better trained staff and counselors on hand in the correctional system for the inmates that obviously need treatment for there addition problems and without this these offenders will continually reoffend and be back in the correctional system over and over.