Drugs are abused by 16 million people in the US each year. These can be either illicit or prescription drugs being used outside their prescription.
These 16 million Americans account for 6% of the total population.
Drug addiction affects not only the users but everyone around them. Addiction has a significant impact on friends, family, and coworkers.
However, drug addiction is a treatable condition. Keep reading to learn how to treat drug addiction.
Key Takeaways
Addiction is long-term, compulsive drug abuse. You may try to stop taking drugs but return to them despite their negative consequences. Here’s what you need to know about the drug addiction recovery process:
- Detox is crucial for the addiction recovery process.
- The major causes of addiction are family environment and peer pressure.
- Addiction is a curable disease, and treatment is available at various rehab facilities.
- There are multiple treatment programs for addiction recovery, like inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization programs, and many more.
The Haven Detox-New England has multiple practical treatment options to treat drug addiction. Reach us today at (844) 933-4145 to get help.
Drug Addiction is a Disease
Addiction is a chronic condition that impairs the brain’s reward structure. This impairment occurs when particular drugs trigger neurochemical responses in the body.
Addiction damages a person’s decision-making abilities, physiological independence, and emotional well-being.
Addiction recovery needs therapy intervention and continuing help from an addiction expert. Addiction occurs when a person becomes physically, mentally, and emotionally reliant on a drug.
It is defined by a set of factors, including:
- A persistent inability to refrain from drugs or actions
- Poor behavior or loss of control.
- Cravings for a specific drug.
- Using a drug despite the adverse effects.
- Dysfunctional emotional reaction to drug elimination.
Causes of Drug Addiction
The effects of drugs on the human mind differ from person to person. Each person’s body and mind function in a unique way. Some people like taking drugs, while others despise them after their first use. Multiple variables contribute to drug addiction rather than a single cause.
Some of the most common causes are as follows:
- High-stress levels
- Genetic history of addiction
- Lack of social support
- Peer pressure
- Troubled relationships
- Severe trauma or injury
- Exposure to drugs at a young age
- Mental health disorders
- Psychological trauma
- Having a parent with a history of addiction
Symptoms of Drug Addiction
Drug addiction signs vary from person to person. People with addiction often try to conceal their signs.
If you find a friend or loved one is misusing drugs, check for the following signs:
Physical warning signs of drug addiction include:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Pupils larger or smaller than usual
- Changes in appetite
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain
- Deterioration of physical appearance
- Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing
- Tremors
- Slurred speech
- Impaired coordination
Behavioral warning signs of drug addiction include:
- Drop in performance at work or school
- Unexplained financial issues
- Engaging in suspicious behaviors
- Sudden change in friends, hangouts, and hobbies
- Involvement in illegal activities
Psychological warning signs of drug addiction include:
- Sudden change in personality
- Sudden mood swings
- Irritability
- Angry outbursts
- Hyperactivity
- Agitation
- Giddiness
- Lack of motivation
- Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid
Treatment for Drug Addiction
The first step in addiction recovery is admitting that drug use has become a problem in the person’s life. Also, the problem is affecting their quality of life. This can be caused by impairments in education, job, social, recreational, or other critical areas of function.
When a person acknowledges the harmful influence of a drug on their life, various therapeutic options are available. A person suffering from addiction must have access to therapy. Most people will require substance abuse treatment for the rest of their lives.
They will have to refrain from the drug for the rest of their lives. It may be difficult, but it is possible. The addiction treatment plan is often modified to meet the needs of the patient.
Furthermore, treatment choices for addiction are defined by multiple criteria, like:
- The type of addictive illness.
- The length and degree of usage.
- The impact on the individual.
There are several treatment methods available. Many people suffering from addiction will undergo a combination of them.
Some of the standard treatments are as follows:
Detoxification
Detox is the process of removing toxic substances from the body. Detox can lead to withdrawal symptoms when someone quits using drugs.
Everyone’s detox experience is unique. The type of substance taken and the length of time it was used affect how detox will go. Detox medications keep the patients comfortable as the drugs exit their systems.
Most drugs have withdrawal signs that may last for days or months. The length of the withdrawal is defined by several factors, including:
- Family history
- Duration of addiction
- Type of drug
- Dose of drug
- Underlying medical issues.
- The method of abuse (snorting, smoking, injecting, or swallowing).
Rehab Facility Programs
After detox, the doctor decides the best rehab program for you. Longer-term treatment plans for drug-related and addictive disorders can be quite helpful. They help remain drug-free and continue functioning in social, professional, and familial duties.
Fully certified residential rehabs are available to design a 24-hour care program. The program offers a secure environment and provides any medical treatments or help that may be required.
The following are the most common rehab programs:
Residential Treatment
Patients stay in a residential rehab during this period and get 24-hour medical and emotional help. These programs last between 30 and 90 days. Inpatient rehabs also provide settings with as few triggers as feasible. These elements contribute to the effectiveness of inpatient therapy.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient therapies are more flexible than inpatient programs. They allow people to continue with jobs, family, school, or other duties as required. Outpatient programs for addiction may be useful when the person is not as badly dependent on substances and thus does not need the same level of care. Professionals deliver outpatient treatment in multiple locations. It includes hospitals, community centers, treatment providers’ offices, and specialist drug rehab facilities.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
A partial hospitalization program is an outpatient treatment that addresses serious mental health illnesses and addiction concerns. PHP is the best option when a person’s functional level must be maintained to avoid relapse.
The PHP treatment can assist a person in staying on track with their goals. It also helps in continuing therapy while restoring their daily routine. PHPs are ideal for patients who need intensive addiction therapy but do not need 24-hour supervision in inpatient programs.
Therapeutic Communities
A person having long-term therapy for severe kinds of addiction illness would live in a house with on-site doctors and other people in recovery for 6 to 12 months in therapeutic communities.
The community and staff are important variables in drug rehab and changing attitudes about substance use disorder.
Recovery Housing
Recovery housing is a supervised, short-term stay-in treatment facility. It helps people adjust to a new, independent life free of substance abuse. Recovery housing involves financial and employment counseling. It allows connecting a person in the latter stages of recovery with community support resources.
Counseling and Behavioral Therapies
Depending on the person’s needs, therapy may take place one-on-one, in a group, or a family setting. At first, it is strong, but the number of sessions decreases as symptoms improve.
Among the various forms of therapy are:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people recognize and change habits of thinking that are linked to substance use.
- Multidimensional family therapy is intended to improve family function in the presence of a teen with a substance-related issue.
- Motivational interviewing increases a person’s willingness to change and make behavioral changes.
Addiction counseling seeks to help people modify their behaviors regarding substance use. It also allows a person to enhance life skills and support other therapies. Treatment for addictive disorders focuses on the root cause of the addictive illness and addictive behaviors.
Self-Help Groups
Self-help groups may help the recovering person meet others who have the same addiction, which often enhances motivation and lessens feelings of loneliness. They may also be a good source of education, community, and information.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are examples of self-help groups. People struggling with different forms of addiction can find out about self-help groups in their town by conducting an online search or consulting a doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the most effective way to deal with addiction cravings?
Cravings are one of the most challenging aspects of addiction recovery. These are strong desires that sometimes appear out of nowhere and feel irresistible. However, cravings are not uncontrollable. Learning to regulate urges is crucial for lasting recovery.
Surrounding yourself with positive support is an effective way to deal with addiction. Positive support can help you stay on track with your goals.
As per the SAMHSA, family and friends that are supportive of recovery can help someone change by reinforcing new behaviors. It also helps in providing positive incentives to stay with treatment.
Furthermore, sober tools exist to help manage cravings. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States authorized reSET in 2017 for use with outpatient therapy for marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, and amphetamine addiction.
What is the first step in treating drug addiction?
Accepting that you have an addiction problem is the first step toward recovery. Many doctors believe the person battling has or is on the verge of realizing how their addiction affects their life.
Admitting a problem can address many complex aspects of addiction that were previously ignored or avoided. Recognizing the need for change is not an easy task. So, talk therapy and other treatments try to help a person discover the realities of their addiction patterns.
What are quick drug addiction treatments?
There is no quick drug addiction treatment. Addiction recovery takes some time, and in most extreme situations, it requires lifelong treatment. Detox is the first step to treating drug addiction.
The other drug addiction treatments include outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, counseling, support groups, therapeutic communities, and medication-assisted treatment.
If you have discovered an addiction problem, immediately seek professional help. The health care providers can help you decide on a suitable treatment for your condition.
Addiction Treatment at The Haven Detox-New England
Identifying the issue as soon as possible is crucial if you relapse. Get help quickly to avoid undoing your hard work in your early recovery. Addiction treatment is available at The Haven Detox-New England.
We treat multiple addictions like cocaine, opioid, suboxone, and heroin. Our team is highly qualified and skilled. We make sure to provide a supportive and friendly environment to every patient to make their addiction recovery journey seamless.
To start your addiction treatment, call us at (844) 933-4145.
