Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite detrimental consequences and long lasting brain changes. Drug addictions is a menace in today's society.
Drug abuse correlates with high levels of crime. Drug addiction begins as a voluntary action of taking drugs.
People assume that drug abuse refers to only the use of illegal drugs. It is surprising to note that there are more deaths recorded from the abuse of prescribed drugs such as pain killers more than there are deaths from illegal drugs. Many drug overdose deaths have been attributed to overdoses on p-prescription drugs.
Unfortunately, data shows that drug addiction is prevalent among the youths. Several of the commonly abused drugs are alcohol, heroin, cocaine, depressants, ecstasy, methamphetamine, over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs and nicotine, read more here.
Drug Addiction Stages
Stage 1: Experimentation
Experimentation is the stage of voluntary drug use of drugs without negative social or legal consequences. Experimenting may occur once or several times as a way to 'have fun'. It occurs without a desire to continue using the drugs.
Stage 2: Regular Use
This stage can develop without dependence or addiction. People here in this stage will be able to stop alone. However, the problem is that it increases the risk of substance abuse.
Stage 3: Risky Use/Abuse
In the risky stage, there is a continuous use of drugs although severe social and legal consequences. The indication of addiction begin to appear like cravings irritability and fatigue if the drug is not used.
Stage 4: Drug Addiction and Dependency
This is stage of dependency. There is a compulsive use drugs despite severe negative consequences to relationships and physical and mental health.
Drug abuse is a treatable condition through rehabilitation if the addict is willing and committed to see the whole process through. The process is hard because it is accompanied by adverse withdrawal effects. Drug addiction is a relapsing disease. It is it's not surprising that many recovering addicts revert.
Drug Treatment
The objectives of addiction treatment are in order to help a person completely stop using drugs, stay drug free and be productive in the society. Effective drug treatment is based upon the following principles:
- Addiction is a treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior
- A single treatment isn't right for everyone
- Quick access to treatment is needed
- Effective treatment addresses all the patient's needs
- It is critical to keep in treatment long enough
- Common forms of treatment are counseling and behavior modifications
- A combination of medications and behavioral therapies are essential in treatment
- Treatment plans must be reviewed and modified to meet the change in patient's needs
- Mental illness should be addressed also
- Detoxification through medical assistance is just the beginning
- Effective treatment need not be voluntary
- Continuous monitoring of drug use during treatment
- Treatment programs should screen patients for an infectious or viral diseases like HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis
Sorts of Drug Rehab
The forms of drug treatment can possibly be categorized into two major styles of treatment: inpatient and outpatient, recommended reading.
1.) Inpatient Drug Addiction Treatment
It is also referred to as residential drug rehab. Inpatient care offers structured intensive care for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Residential treatment includes the following settings:
Short-term Residential Treatment
This typically concentrates on detoxification and intensive counseling which is a preparation for community-based treatment settings.
Recovery Housing
Recovery housing provides a short-term housing for patients on other forms of inpatient treatment or help patients make a transition into independent life. Such houses teach people on managing finances, seeking employment and connecting back to the community.
2.) Outpatient Drug Addiction Treatment
This program corresponds to inpatient care with the only difference being that individuals receive care in the day but return house in the evening. Outpatient care is designed for individuals who prefer to maintain a presence at home due to the supportive environment or have a less serious condition that does not merit all over care.
Outpatient car provides a wide variety of programs for patients regularly. The programs involve individual or group counseling or both.
After completion patients transition from intensive treatment to regular treatment with less sessions a week. There are other types of drug rehab and addiction treatment which help individuals with special needs or lifestyles.
3.) Women's Drug Rehab
These are gender based programs, specifically tailored to meet the needs of women addicts. They provide a safer place for women to speak openly about issues that directly impact their addictions such as co-dependency or past sexual abuse.
4.) Teen Drug Rehab
Adolescents prevail addicts. Since their issues are quite different from those of adults, teen rehabs are very essential. They are unique in addressing the needs of teenage addicts.
5.) Dual Diagnosis Drug Rehab
Dual diagnosis patients are patients who have to deal with mental disorder and addictions con-currently. They are high-risk individuals who need specialized care. Their treatment includes addiction treatment and psychiatric counseling.
6.) Holistic Drug Rehab
Some notable drug rehab programs include holistic methods of treating drug addictions. Yoga, acupuncture, nutritional counseling and meditation are several of the holistic programs included. Such programs enhance the individuals mind, body and spirit medications for drug addiction treatment.
Despite what variety of drug rehab you choose, every variety of rehabilitation must follow these steps for successful treatment of drug addictions
i.) Detoxification.
ii.) Behavioral counseling.
iii.) Medication.
iv.) Evaluation and treatment of co-occurring mental issues.
v.) Longer term follow up.
1.) Detoxification
Detoxification is the general process of removal of toxic substances from the body. It is the primary step when treating drug addiction. The goal of a detox is to heal the body after a long-term drug addiction. This is done by helping the boy rid itself of the drug and stabilizing the patient to transition to lasting treatment. Detoxification can happen in an inpatient or outpatient facility relying on the severity of the addiction. A detox from opioids or alcohol can be dangerous because of the severe withdrawal system and requires medical supervision. The initial stage of drug detoxes very intense because it requires denying the body what it is used to. Medical staff are necessary to support with the adverse withdrawal symptoms which include insomnia, anxiety, agitation, muscle aches and sweating. These symptoms are not harmful but may be very uncomfortable for the patient. The first hours of a detox are characterized by violent tendencies and psychotic behavior. Drug withdrawal is associated with severe depressive symptoms which lead to suicidal tendencies. These acute issues should be immediately treated once they are identified until the patient is stabilized. There are factors that influence the length of complete detoxification and withdrawal symptoms for example:
- The length of addiction.
- The combination of drugs bused.
- The drug dosage when the patient begins detox.
- Existence of co-occurring physical or mental illness.
- The half-life of the drug.
Detoxification can either be inpatient or outpatient depending on the intensity of withdrawal symptoms, a cool way to know more.
