Anyone who has struggled with drug addiction knows how difficult it is to overcome. Addiction is a powerful force, causing uncontrollable cravings, poor decision-making, and destructive behavior. The longer you abuse drugs, the harder it is to stop – and the consequences can be deadly.
Anyone who has struggled with drug addiction knows how difficult it is to overcome. Addiction is a powerful force, causing uncontrollable cravings, poor decision-making, and destructive behavior. The longer you abuse drugs, the harder it is to stop ? and the consequences can be deadly.
If you’re caught in the cycle of drug addiction, you may feel like recovery is impossible. But addiction is a highly treatable disorder, and with the help of a reputable treatment program, you can learn to live a healthy, productive, and drug-free life.
Understanding Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a complex, chronic disease of the brain. People often begin taking drugs voluntarily, seeking the high caused by chemicals that flood the brain’s reward center. But over time, the brain can develop a tolerance to these chemicals, and more of the drug is required to achieve the same high. After a prolonged period of drug use, the chemistry of the brain actually changes, so that drug use is no longer voluntary, but compulsive.
One of the reasons why drug addiction can be so difficult to treat is because there is often not a singular root cause. Many factors can influence why someone becomes addicted to drugs, including genetics, upbringing, and emotional health. Because the causes are multifaceted, treatment must be multifaceted, too.
Characteristics of an Effective Treatment Program
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for treating drug addiction, effective treatment programs will adhere to some common, basic principles:
- Effective treatment is holistic. It’s important to treat the whole person, instead of simply focusing on the drug abuse. Holistic treatment considers medical, psychological, and social aspects of a patient’s life, providing a wide range of therapies and education to encourage successful long-term results. This includes a thorough assessment for other mental illness, such as depression or anxiety, which often co-occur with addictive disorders.
- Effective treatment is individualized. Because addiction presents itself differently from person to person, no two courses of addiction treatment will look exactly the same. To achieve recovery, treatment services must be matched to a patient’s specific challenges, needs, and goals.
- Effective treatment requires a time commitment. For drug addiction treatment to be effective, it’s crucial to remain in a program for a sufficient period of time. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, most patients needs at least three months of intensive services to successfully stop using, and longer treatment times are associated with stronger outcomes.
Drug Addiction Treatment Services
Most effective treatment programs will include some combination of the following services:
- Medication. During the detox phase, medication will often be used to help stabilize patients who are going through withdrawal. In some cases, it may also be used to help maintain sobriety and block uncontrollable cravings.
- Behavioral Therapy. The crux of most drug addiction treatment programs is behavioral therapy, including individual, group, and family counseling. In these sessions, patients learn to identify triggers for their drug abuse, develop coping strategies to avoid relapse, and work on building problem-solving and relationship skills.
- Education and Support. The goal of effective treatment is to ensure successful independent living once the program is complete. To achieve this, patients may receive social supports, career counseling, or life skills training as a part of the recovery process.
Alvarado Parkway Institute offers effective drug addiction treatment
Recovery from drug addiction is possible, and Alvarado Parkway Institute can help. We pride ourselves on creating a safe, supportive environment in which patients can undergo detox, receive intense therapy, and prepare to live their lives drug-free.
Whether you require short-term outpatient services or long-term residential care, Alvarado Parkway Institute can meet your drug addiction treatment needs. Call us at (619) 485-1432 and start on the road to recovery today.
