|
Addiction Treatment Options
There are several different
treatment options for people suffering with
addictions. Some are professional, while other
options are more community-oriented. Treatment
with prescription medication is rare, although
addicts suffering with some other form of
emotional disorder may use prescription
antidepressants to aid in their recovery. When
treating an addiction, it’s important to receive
any help necessary for other emotional
disorders, as these can make recovery from an
addiction much more difficult and may be one of
the factors that drove to the development of the
addiction in the first place.
In-patient rehabilitation
facilities and treatment centers allow addicts
to live in a safe environment while they tackle
the feelings and motivations that drove their
addictions. Counseling is provided as well as
access to 12 step programs. Counseling for drug
and alcohol addiction may follow several
different models, and each treatment center is
different. Some use behavior modification,
cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, or
a combination of different methods. The period
of time spent in treatment depends on the
treatment center’s program, insurance coverage,
and the desires of the patient.
Twelve step programs are
non-professional. Essentially, the programs are
based on the concept of one addict helping
another addict stay sober with the help of the
twelve steps and a higher power. Twelve step
programs are spiritually-based, although
concepts from cognitive behavioral therapy can
be seen woven throughout the steps. While twelve
step programs have been developed for every kind
of addiction, the steps were originally
developed by Alcoholics Anonymous.
Most addiction counselors
recommend Alcoholics Anonymous or other twelve
step groups to their clients. Members of AA
attend meetings and work these steps based on
the idea that working with other addicts and
maintaining spiritual growth will keep them
sober.
In recent years, much has been
said about medications that actually interrupt
the addict’s need for their substance. Methadone
is commonly used in the treatment of heroin
addicts. Methadone works to appease the centers
in the brain that crave heroin and stave off the
severe withdrawal effects of the drug without
the consequences. It is administered at clinics
by medical professionals, and dosage is tapered
off until no longer needed.
Antabuse is a controversial drug
used to help recovering alcoholics. It creates
negative physical effects when someone taking it
imbibes alcohol. The idea is that Antabuse will
create an aversion to alcohol in anyone who
takes it. Most professionals agree that more
traditional methods of treatment such as
counseling and twelve step programs are more
effective, allowing the alcoholic to detox and
arrest the physical dependency altogether.
Many addicts suffer from other
emotional disorders such as depression, anxiety,
social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress
disorder, and bipolar disorder. These emotional
disorders often have a hand in the development
of an addiction, so treating these disorders as
well as the addiction is vital. If someone is
finding that simply focusing on their addiction
issues isn’t getting the job done, seeking the
help of a psychologist,
By: Patrick McLemore
Go Back |
