Thursday, January 24, 2013

Addiction Treatment Process

Expert Author Jeff Molenda
Drug addiction is a complex illness characterized by intense and at times uncontrollable craving for the drug. Drugs can lead to physical as well as psychological dependence when taken in larger doses for a longer period of time. This leads to addiction. Some of the symptoms of addiction are cravings for drug, inability to abstain from the drug, physical symptoms, and inability to recognize the deterioration of relationships with friends and family, inappropriate emotional response and other behavioral problems. Drug or alcohol addiction frequently involves cycles of relapse and remission, even with long term treatment.
Addiction Treatment
The main aim of addiction treatments is not just removing or reducing drug or alcohol use. Their main goal is to help addicted people change their habits, lifestyle and core values so as to prevent them from returning back to the problem of addiction.
Quitting a stimulant addiction is not an easy process; the painful withdrawal symptoms may force the patient to relapse. Hence, it is advisable not to quit abruptly. Addiction treatment consists of three stages:
Detoxification
Detoxification is the process where an addict undergoes withdrawal of the stimulant under medical supervision. As the withdrawal is associated with several physical and psychological symptoms, detoxification is done under the supervision of medical professionals. During the detox process, medical professionals may prescribe low potency drugs in tapering doses to wean you off drug or alcohol. Weaning helps you to cope with the withdrawal symptoms so that you can carry out daily routine activities.
Along with the medications, addicts are evaluated for nutritional status. Nutrients, vitamins and a healthy diet - all of them are the part of detox process.
Behavior Therapy
Behavioral therapy help patients modify their attitude and behaviors related to drug abuse and increase healthy lifestyle skills and coping skills. They also help in enhancing the effectiveness of the drug. Therapy treatment can be delivered in many different settings:
In-patient addiction treatment- Those who are having severe addiction problem or have a previous history of drug addiction are recommended for in-patient addiction treatment. Here, the patient remains in the rehabilitative centers for at least one month to one year depending upon each case. Each day, patient/user spends 6 to 8 hours of the day in learning coping skills that can be used to reduce the reliance on the drugs/alcohol. Various types of therapeutic activities and therapies are taught to the addict.
Out-patient addiction treatment- Out-patient addiction treatment is recommended for patients, who have strong network of family and friends support, and who have no previous history of drug addiction; it includes a variety of programs for patients who visit a clinic at regular intervals. The therapy includes group or individual counseling. While the individual sessions are important to understand why the addict began using the drug, group sessions help him by relating to other addicts who have gone through the same addiction suffering.
After Care
As the patient/addict is most vulnerable to relapse during the first few months, continuing care services are designed to monitor the emotional health of the recovering patient.
If you're looking for highly successful addiction treatment, visit Addiction Treatment Method.

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