Drug Addiction Treatment

Drug addiction is a treatable problem. With the help of treatments targeting individual needs and concerns, people can control their drug using behavior and live happy and successful lives.

What is drug addiction?Drug addiction is a pattern of repeated drug use that usually results in tolerance (the need for greater amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect), withdrawal (physical and cognitive effects when drug use declines or stops), and compulsive drug using behavior (drug use that persists despite efforts to reduce intake and despite problems with family, friends, and work).

Drug addiction is a complex problem. It encompasses a diverse range of drugs such as: alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, and cocaine. Drug addiction is caused by many different factors. Drug problems are frequently accompanied by other psychological problems such as: behavioral disorders, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. These co-occurring psychological problems must be addressed when seeking treatment for drug addiction. These underlying problems may interfere with the effectiveness of treatment.

Treatment Options

There are several treatment options available for drug addiction and they differ in their aims and outcomes. Elements of these treatment options are often combined.

1. Self-help Self-help options vary but most involve the individual being responsible for their own treatment. Books, videos, telephone, and on-line support are some of the self-help options available. Typically, self-help materials involve an assessment of drug using behavior and associated consequences. They also involve monitoring of drug using behavior that includes the conditions in which the drug is taken and the physical, emotional, and behavioral consequences of taking the drug. Education about drugs and their effects, modification of drug taking behavior, and access to support are also components of this type of help. Self-help components are commonly incorporated into other forms of treatment. Self-help groups are managed and run by people who have had drug issues. Because the members have drug issues, these groups can offer great insight, understanding, and support. An example of a self-help group is Alcoholics Anonymous.

2. Counseling There are many different types of counseling techniques. Although they each have different theories and methods, they often address common issues.

a. Family therapy
Family therapy involves all family members in the treatment process. This is because drug problems are thought to be related to dysfunctional family relationships and interactions. Family therapies often involve other people in the person's social network, such as teachers and friends, who may affect the person's drug use. The goals of family therapies are to improve family communication, provide education about drugs and their consequences, enhance problem solving, identify parental substance abuse problems, and improve family relationships.

b. Rational emotive therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy
These therapies aim to challenge and change the irrational and negative thoughts (cognitions) that are hypothesized to be responsible for drug use and to change and reduce drug taking behaviors.

c. Skills training
This approach is based on the belief that substance dependence represents a means of coping with difficult issues and stress. The training of life skills is thought to provide more functional and healthier options for coping with stress. A variety of life skills are developed. The skills include social skills, assertiveness, drug refusal skills, problem solving skills, relaxation, and crisis management. Training involves presenting the rationale for learning the skills, modeling, practicing, and feedback.

d. Relapse prevention
Relapse prevention involves the development of strategies to help maintain drug abstinence. Various techniques are used to prevent "relapse" or the re-initiation of drug use. These techniques include the identification of high-risk situations for relapse, instruction and rehearsal of strategies for coping with those situations, self-monitoring, strategies for recognizing and coping with cravings and thoughts about the drug, planning for emergencies, and coping with lapses and relapses. Training involves rehearsing skills, role-playing, and homework tasks.

Factors affecting treatment

1. Treatment settings
Treatment can occur either in an in-patient setting. Examples would be hospitals and residential units. It can also occur in an out-patient setting. Where treatment takes place depends on a number of factors. The presence of psychiatric problems, family and social supports, the severity of the problem, and previous treatment efforts all factor into the proper treatment setting.

2. Treatment goals
There are two major treatment goals, abstinence and reduction. Abstinence involves never taking the drug again, whereas reduction (or harm minimization) involves reducing the amount of drug taken to a relatively safe level. Each approach differs according to difficulty level and types of outcomes. The chosen goal depends on the type of treatment option, whether you think you will be able to stick with your goal, the outcome you would prefer, and how much support you have. Which treatment option should I choose?

It is important to realize that not all treatments are suitable for everyone. The treatment option that is best for you depends on how long you have had the drug problem, the severity of the problem, and the type of drug being used. For drug addiction problems, it is recommended that you seek the help and support of a professional.