Treatments for Drug Addiction

Rehab is often the first word that comes into peoples’ heads if they have a drug abuse or addiction issue but there are other areas and programs that can help people get off of most drugs with careful consideration and professional treatment.

What exactly is drug addiction?

Drug addiction is characterised by the constant need to take drugs. It’s a mental health condition recognized by health practitioners world-wide. Excessive drug use leads to permanent brain damage.

There are two kinds of drugs – “hard” and “soft” drugs. Hard drugs include cocaine, crystal meth and heroin, while soft drugs include marijuana, ecstasy, valium and other medically prescribed drugs. Patients generally have severe withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit hard drugs, and minor withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit soft drugs.

How does addiction treatment work?

A two-pronged approach is usually adopted when treating drug addiction. First, the physiological addiction to drugs must be treated. Since the patient constantly craves drugs, this craving must be overcome. Not taking drugs leads to withdrawal symptoms, which subside over time. A detoxification process needs to be undergone to recover from the addiction to drugs.

Secondly, the underlying causes of drug addiction are addressed. Often, drug addicts resort to drug use because of underlying psychological reasons. These may be stress, depression, fear, or any other number of factors. These underlying causes of drug addiction are addressed, so that the addict is able to cope with life without having to resort to drugs.

What are the stages of addiction treatment?

The first step in treating a drug addiction is making the patient aware that he or she has a drug abuse problem. Often people think that they take drugs recreationally, and aren’t aware that they are dependent on them. This awareness often arises after the addict faces a problem due to drug use, such as under-performing at work or not being able to meet family responsibilities. Most of the time, however, other people need to tell the patient that he or she is an addict. The most common form of awareness-building is done by staging an intervention, where a few people close to the patient tell him or her that they have a problem.

Before any treatment can be undertaken, the patient must acknowledge that they do indeed have a drug addiction. Without accepting their addiction, they can’t make any progress towards the treatment.

The second step in treating a drug addiction is to find a treatment program that is suitable for the patient. Most people prefer drug rehabilitation centres, since they offer a comprehensive drug detoxification solution, including therapists and relaxation activities like yoga and meditation. Drug rehabilitation centres are intensive solutions for people with drug addictions, and are very effective since they remove the addict from his or her sources of stress. However, some people also try to solve drug addictions by staying at home and undergoing therapy sessions.

What medication can be used to cure drug addiction?

 Under certain circumstances, medication is prescribed to cure addiction to harmful drugs, especially hard drugs with severe withdrawal symptoms. Methadone and Buprenorphine are Opiod medications which are often used to cure addiction to hard drugs such as morphine, heroin and oxycodone. Anti-depressants are also prescribed for certain addictions. Ibogaine is another drug that’s recently being prescribed for addiction to certain drugs including narcotics, alcohol and nicotine. These drugs are meant to reduce dependency and withdrawal symptoms, and should not be used without a prescription.

What ongoing treatment should be used?

Once a person successfully recovers from a drug addiction, it’s important to maintain that drug-free life. Therapy sessions are often very helpful in maintaining this freedom from drug use, as are support groups or mentors.

Although drug addiction is a painful and harmful situation for both the patient and his or her family, it can be cured by following the steps that I’ve outlined.