Addiction Treatment

There are a variety of treatment options available for individuals who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. Finding a successful treatment program depends on the addict and on the severity of the addiction. Though more unique programs have become increasingly popular in the past decade – such as adventure therapy and teen wilderness camps – traditional inpatient programs continue to be an effective form of rehabilitation. Also, inpatient programs can incorporate aspects of contemporary rehab, such as art and music therapy.

Some people argue that inpatient drug rehab centers are effective only until the individual leaves the facility because without the support of rehab, s/he reverts to a pre-rehab lifestyle of drug use. However, inpatient rehab centers continue to have relatively high success rates by promoting a complete treatment process that accounts for the recovering addict’s transition back to his or her previous environment. Because of the emphasis placed on a strong support system, inpatient programs can continue to positively impact the individual even after s/he has completed the course of treatment.

Inpatient drug rehabilitation facilities can offer patients a therapeutic environment that allows individuals to receive treatment without outside interference. In addition to providing an environment that encourages healing, inpatient centers pose several benefits: they remove the addict from unhealthy influences or people who may enable addictive behavior; they allow patients to have continuous medical supervision throughout the detoxification process and subsequent therapy or treatments; and they encourage long-term solutions by building a support system for patients.

The main goal of inpatient drug rehab facilities and drug treatment programs in general is to diagnose and resolve the cause(s) of an individual’s addiction. Some of the inpatient rehab methods for achieving this goal are group therapy sessions and meetings with family and friends. When attending this type of recovery program, addicts can receive the benefits of a healthy environment while still remaining connected to a support system outside of the facility.

Prescription drug addiction is not as rare as you may think; in fact, prescription medications are some of the most commonly abused drugs. There are three categories of prescription drugs, all of which can be addicting: opiates, depressants, and stimulants. Opiates are used to relieve pain. In the United States, some of the more common prescription drugs that are opiates include OxyContin, Vicodin, and Dilaudid. They are usually not considered habit-forming or addicting; however, an addiction to these prescription drugs can develop when used improperly. Because opiates slow down your breathing and heart rate, they can cause death if abused or misused.

Another type of prescription drug that can be addictive is depressants, such as Valium and Xanax. Depressants in particular are very addicting. Many people who use them rely on the drugs to achieve a feeling of normalcy; therefore, when the addict stops taking the drug, s/he can experience intense withdrawal symptoms that cause the user to continue the cycle of abuse. People who are addicted to depressants may show signs of confusion, and their personality may change dramatically.

The last category of prescription drugs is stimulants. Stimulants are normally used to help weight loss, sleeping disorders, and children with ADHD. Dexedrine, Ritalin, and Adderall are some of the more common stimulant drugs that can become addicting. Many people become addicted to stimulant prescriptions because they use them with things such as alcohol or other drugs to augment the effects.

Signs of addiction with any prescription drug are relatively similar: the addict tends to increase his or her usage or dosage of the drug; his or her behavior and appearance changes; he or she has a tendency to want to be alone and secluded from other people; he or she may want to continue using the prescription drug even after the drug is no longer medically necessary; he or she neglects responsibilities and experiences blackouts and bouts of forgetfulness; and the addict may become more sensitive to light and sound. If a person does have a prescription drug addiction and is demonstrating some or all of these addiction signs, there is help. In order to avoid possible addictions to these types of drugs, you can request an alternative form of medical treatment. Also, if you do take prescription medications, it is important to follow the course of treatment specified by a licensed medical professional and only take the drugs for the required length of time.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is very common among children today. Oftentimes it is passed down from parents to their children. Until recent years, it was believed that children would eventually grow out of it during their teen years. Today, not all children with ADHD are believed to “grow out of it,” and if they do, symptoms may persist throughout their adult lives. It takes a period of months to diagnose ADHD because you need to know what is contributing to the disorder. In most cases, a child diagnosed with ADHD is also diagnosed with at least one more behavioral problem. Children with ADHD usually display symptoms related to inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior.

Some examples of inattentiveness are that the child has difficulty following instructions, s/he often loses toys, s/he appears to be daydreaming or in another world, or s/he is easily sidetracked. Hyperactivity symptoms tend to be more visible. The child may talk excessively or constantly fidget with their hands. S/he may also have trouble keeping quiet or staying seated. Another symptom that is present in children with ADHD is impulsiveness. Children may have a sense of urgency to reply to or answer someone before a question is asked. S/he may also be very impatient and eager.

The school work or social life of a child or teen with this disorder may also become affected. They may struggle with participating in class or finishing their homework efficiently. Socially, they may not make or keep friends easily. Children with this disorder find it very hard to get along with other students.

There are treatments for ADHD that usually involve medication and therapy. However, there is a risk of addiction to the medications for ADHD. When young people have ADHD, they may abuse the medications prescribed to them or resort to using alcohol or drugs to help cope with the disorder. Using drugs or alcohol may relieve some of the symptoms of the disorder, creating the potential for dependency and addiction. Instead, some alternative methods for treating ADHD include supplements and maintaining a regular sleep schedule.

Substance abuse is a general term that refers to a negative pattern of illicit substance use. The term “substance abuse” is sometimes used interchangeably with “drug abuse,” though the connotation of the word “drug” is slightly more limited. Medical professionals and authors have adopted the term “substance abuse” and use it to describe a variety of non-dependent alcohol and drug related disorders. Generally, substance abuse occurs when an individual abuses drugs and/or alcohol to his or her physical or psychological detriment. Substance abuse encompasses a wide-range of drugs, including alcohol and tobacco. While the abuse of certain types of substances has decreased in recent years, the use of other drugs such as prescription medications and heroin has increased dramatically.

The causes of substance abuse vary on an individual basis, and they can range from depression and pain relief to environmental and social factors. Specific risk factors such as a genetic predisposition can significantly impact an individual’s likelihood of developing a substance abuse disorder. Increased exposure to drugs and alcohol may cause an individual to become desensitized to dangerous substances, especially in cases of children and young adults witnessing family members or authority figures abusing drugs. Other causes of substance abuse include mental and emotional disorders, physical ailments, and peer pressure. An individual may also abuse a substance without developing a physical dependency on the drug.

There are numerous treatment options for individuals suffering from substance abuse, including therapy, detoxification, inpatient and outpatient centers, and more. Depending on the needs of the individual and the type of substance being abused, medical supervision may be required in order to deal with all aspects of the substance abuse disorder. Because abusing drugs and alcohol can have both physical and psychological effects, it is important to complete a full treatment program. When treating substance abuse, the support of family and friends can serve as a crucial part of the recovery process.

Prescription drug detoxification (or “detox”) is needed when an individual becomes addicted to a prescription medication and needs to stop using the drug. In recent years, the abuse of prescription drugs has become more rampant; this is due partly to the widespread availability of the medications and because of the high-risk level for addiction. Drugs such as Vicodin, Oxycontin, and various opiates are often prescribed to address legitimate physical and mental ailments; however, when taken without medical supervision, these types of drugs can be heavily misused. Specifically, teenagers in the United States have become increasingly exposed to prescription drugs, accelerating the potential for abuse and addiction.

Unlike other types of substance abuse, prescription drug abuse affects the user on both physical and psychological levels. Not only does the user’s body become addicted to the drug, but the addict also continues to use the drug in order to avoid prolonged mental distress. Depending on the type of prescription drug being abused, users can experience physical symptoms that mimic their initial disorder when that individual abruptly stops using the drug. For example, if an individual was prescribed an anti-depressant such as Valium and then stops taking the drug after repeated use, s/he may experience severe episodes of anxiety or depression. This cycle of usage perpetuates the abuse, as the individual continues to take the drug in order to sate his or her physical and mental dependence.

The intensity of the detox process depends on the individual, the severity of the addiction, the type of prescription drug being abused, and the amount of time the addict has been using the drug. Individuals addicted to some prescription drugs (e.g. barbiturates) can undergo life threatening withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuing the use of the drug, which is why it is important to have a medical professional supervise or be involved in the detoxification process. Medical detox treatment options are created on an individual basis, and these detox programs are intended to minimize the risks of withdrawal symptoms and address the root psychological causes of the addiction.