Addiction Treatment
Addiction is a complex behavior which has been diagnosed
and treated as an illness. Addictions are
often characterized by deep, uncontrollable cravings,
along with compulsive drug seeking and addictive
behaviors that inflicted individuals demonstrate.
Addictions have so many
dimensions and touch so many aspects of an individual's
life that make addiction treatment not to be a simple program that one size fits all. Effective
addiction treatment services incorporate
many components, each directed to a particular aspect
of the illness and its consequences. Addiction treatment
must help the individual stop using drugs, maintain
a drug-free lifestyle, and achieve productive functioning
in the family, at work, and in society. Because
addiction is typically a chronic disease, people
cannot simply stop using drugs or alcohol for a
few days and be cured. Most patients addicted to
drugs and alcohol require long-term or repeated
episodes of care to achieve the ultimate goal of
sustained abstinence of drug and alcohol, and recovery
of their lives.
Addiction treatments help clients participate in
the addiction treatment process,
adjust their core beliefs on drug abuse
and drug addiction, recognize their triggers
to their addictive behaviors, become accountable
for their choices and actions with regards to drug
addiction, resolve interpersonal conflicts and recognized
marriage and/or family dynamics. Treatment
for drug abuse and addiction may consist
of a variety of behavioral approaches. The Cove
Center for Recovery embraces psychotherapy,
solution focused therapy, narrative therapy, expressive
therapy, trauma
therapy, cognitive therapy, and experiential
therapy as tools for assisting the addicted recovering
individual find solutions for the problems associated
with drug or alcohol addiction.
ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAMS
Residential Addiction Treatment
Programs are very effective, regardless
of the severity of drug and alcohol addiction. The
Cove Center for Recovery - Addiction Treatment Center
is a structured program in which clients
participate in addiction treatment
and reside with the treatment center for a minimum
of 30 days. All medical, psychiatric, and therapeutic
needs are met during the residential addiction treatment
program. A core component of a good residential
addiction treatment program is one that
provides an opportunity for the treatment staff
and the client to work together to co-create an
individual treatment plan and a solution minded
approach to a successful recovery life.
Another important component of a good residential
addiction treatment program exposes the
client to the environment outside of the addiction
treatment center, during the treatment
process, allowing the client to process the stressors,
triggers, and strengths of the world while still
in the protection and structure of a therapeutic
environment. Activities such as bowling, movies,
museums, shopping, and other outings are a good
opportunity to process tools learned in addiction
treatment. Relapse prevention education, focusing
on identifying triggers to addiction are one of
the building blocks of a good residential addiction
treatment program. Individual, group, and family
therapy are primary therapeutic focuses.
Intensive
Outpatient Addiction Treatment Programs
typically occur in a private therapeutic environment,
with a group of clients who are working on a similar
focus. The typical number of therapeutic sessions
is 3 times per week totaling 9-12 hours per week.
Intensive Outpatient is a step-down program used
as aftercare upon completion of a residential addiction
treatment program.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment
programs include a variety of approaches for clients
who seek therapeutic interventions
in a private therapy setting. Outpatient
addiction treatment allows a client to
maintain their typical daily schedule while seeking
therapeutic assistance in resolving interpersonal
conflicts and addiction treatment.
The typical duration of a therapeutic session is
1 hour per week. A primary format for outpatient
therapy is individual, group, or family therapy.
Outpatient therapy is typically ineffective during
the initial stages of addiction treatment and is
more effective as an after care plan, once residential
addiction treatment is completed.
MEDICATION ADDICTION
TREATMENT
Medication therapy and behavioral therapy, can be
important approaches in the therapeutic process.
Medication addiction treatment may begin with detoxification,
followed by residential addiction treatment and
an aftercare plan. An individualized treatment plan
that includes a life history, including medical
and mental health history can be crucial to a person's
success in completing a residential addiction
treatment program and securing success
as a recovering individual.
Medications
can be used to help with different aspects of the
treatment process.
Withdrawal.
Medications offer help in suppressing withdrawal
symptoms during detoxification. Although medications
ease a client through detox, it is not a replacement
for therapy.
Treatment.
Medications can be used to help improve
or resume the ability for the brain to function
in a health capacity, diminish cravings and prevent
relapse.
Mental Health. Medications
are used for treating dual
diagnosed clients in an effort to alleviate
the underlying mental
health illness. Mental Health issues, left untreated
often result in a client’s continued attempts
to self-medicate, leading a client to an inevitable
relapse to drug or alcohol addiction.
Principles of Effective
Addiction Treatment
According to the National Institute on
Drug Addiction (NIDA), “scientific research
since the mid–1970s shows that treatment can
help patients addicted to drugs and alcohol
stop using, avoid relapse, and successfully recover
their lives. Based on this research, key principles
have emerged that should form the basis of any effective
addiction treatment programs:
| • |
Addiction is a complex
but treatable disease that affects brain function
and behavior. |
| • |
No single treatment is appropriate
for everyone. |
| • |
Treatment needs to be readily
available. |
| • |
Effective treatment attends
to multiple needs of the individual, not just
his or her drug abuse. |
| • |
Remaining in treatment for an
adequate period of time is critical. |
| • |
Counseling—individual
and/or group—and other behavioral therapies
are the most commonly used forms of drug abuse
treatment. |
| • |
Medications are an important
element of treatment for many patients, especially
when combined with counseling and other behavioral
therapies. |
| • |
An individual's treatment and
services plan must be assessed continually
and modified as necessary to ensure that it
meets his or her changing needs. |
| • |
Many drug–addicted individuals
also have other mental disorders. |
| • |
Medically assisted detoxification
is only the first stage of addiction treatment
and by itself does little to change long–term
drug abuse. |
| • |
Treatment does not need to
be voluntary to be effective. |
| • |
Drug use during treatment must
be monitored continuously, as lapses during
treatment do occur. |
| • |
Addiction treatment
programs should assess patients for
the presence of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and
C, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases
as well as provide targeted risk–reduction
counseling to help patients modify or change
behaviors that place them at risk of contracting
or spreading infectious diseases.”* |
*Content of Principles of Effective
Addiction Treatment are courtesy of: Source: http://www.drugabuse.gov
Reach out to us. Recovery from addiction is just a click or a phone call away.
If the information you are looking for is not found here and you need immediate
attention you may contact us:
Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237
Addiction Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
You may also send us e-mail.
Please keep in mind that e-mails are answered within 24 hours Monday
through Friday.
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