Effective Treatment of Drug Addiction at Crossroads Recovery Centre
Drug rehabilitation is a process of treatment that aims to help people overcome their dependence on psychoactive substances, such as alcohol and cocaine.
There are various types of programmes in terms of rehabilitation from addiction. These include residential treatment centres (inpatient or outpatient), local support groups, extended care centres, sober houses, addiction counselling, mental health, and medical care. Some drug rehab centres offer age and gender specific programmes as well.
According to NACADA – drug rehabilitation programmes should not be administered to any client prior to an assessment which entails a brief history of the client, the substance used, any past treatment, risk potential for instances of suicidal attempts as well as a mental status examination (MSE). This forms the baseline needed to develope an appropriate treatment plan to address the actual problems of the client.
An effective drug rehab treatment programme addresses the multiple needs of the patient rather than treating addiction by itself. In addition, it is important to bear in mind that medically assisted drug detoxification or alcohol detoxification alone is ineffective as a treatment for addiction. It is an important part of the process, however, it is exactly that – a part of a therapeutic process. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends detoxification using medications (where applicable) and behavioural therapy, followed by relapse prevention. According to NIDA, effective treatment must address medical and mental health services as well as follow-up options, such as community or family-
based recovery support systems. Whatever the methodology, patient motivation is an important factor in treatment process.
For individuals addicted to prescription drugs, treatments tend to be similar to those who are addicted to “street” drugs. Medication such as methadone and buprenorphine can be used to treat addiction to prescription opiates, whereas behavioural therapies are used to treat addiction to prescription stimulants such as benzodiazepines, and other drugs.
Types of behavioral therapy include:
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy, which seeks to help patients to recognize, avoid and cope with situations in which they are most likely to relapse.
- Multidimensional family therapy, which is designed to support the recovery of the patient by improving family functioning.
- Motivational interviewing, which is designed to increase patient motivation to change their behaviour and to enter treatment.
- Motivational incentives, which use positive reinforcement to encourage abstinence from the addictive substance.
Treatment can be a long process and the duration is dependent upon the patient’s needs and history of substance use. It been has shown that most patients benefit from at least three months of treatment and longer durations are associated with better outcomes. Prescription drug addiction doesn’t discriminate. It affects people from all walks of life and can be a devastatingly, destructive force.
If you or a loved one needs assistance with addiction – know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best possible care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s only a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.
Reference:
1. https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/national-institute-drug-abuse-nida
