Drug Treatment

Overcoming drug addiction is a challenging experience. It takes more than mere determination. It is a long journey that one undertakes over a period of time but is eventually won by those who are determined to overcome drugs. Drug treatment programs play a vital role in helping people overcome addiction. The main purpose of these rehab programs is to help the patients stop substance abuse so as to avoid psychological, legal, financial, physical and social consequences of extreme drug addiction.

How Do Drug Treatment Programs Address Psychological Dependency on Drugs?

Drug rehabilitation programs fundamentally deal with the challenge of overcoming psychological dependency on drugs. This is because addiction is a psychological problem. Patients are taught on new methods of interacting with people and the environment to ensure they are able to thrive in drug free surroundings. Patients are also encouraged to stay away from their peers who are still abusing drugs along with drug dealers and any activities that may make them go back into drugs. During the treatment process, emphasis is made to help the patients understand that recovery is not instantaneous but a journey.

Types of Drug Treatment Programs

There is a myriad of drug rehab programs. These include residential treatment, local support groups, outpatient treatment, extended care centers, mental health, sober houses and addiction counseling. They are all similar in the sense that they aim to help the patient overcome drugs and lead sober lives again. The best programs focus on both the needs of the patients and addiction instead of addiction alone in order to minimize the probability of a relapse.

Drug treatment programs range from detoxification, behavioral therapy, medication and relapse prevention. They focus on the mental, physical, medical and health needs of the patient. Every successful treatment is followed up with support systems that are designed to prevent the recovered patient from going back to drugs.

The Treatment Process

On joining a drug rehabilitation center, the first stage is detoxification. It involves the removal of all the residues of the drugs from the body. This is done by keeping the patient away from the drugs. To which he/she is addicted. After detoxification, the patient is treated with various medications if necessary. Patients are given medicines which help them deal with their addiction. Other than medication, the drug treatment program makes sure the patient is receiving love, attention and care in order to stay motivated in the fight against addiction. It is common for recovering patients to participate in extracurricular activities such as dancing and sports to keep themselves busy and divert their attention from drugs.

Behavioral Therapy

After medication, patients undergo behavioral therapy. This is aimed at changing their behavior. Much emphasis is placed on techniques of solving personal problems. Recovering patients are taught on how to recognize their problems and overcome them. Motivational incentives are used in some cases to reinforce the patients' commitment to abstinence from drugs.

Addiction Recovery and cognitive Therapy

Research has shown that addicts have certain fears, beliefs and feelings that make them vulnerable to drugs. Some hate themselves while others are depressed and abuse drugs with the aim of overcoming their problems. Cognitive therapists try to understand the beliefs of the patients, analyze them and show the patients that those beliefs are not useful. They change the beliefs of the patients and strengthen their ability to overcome situations that may make them go back to drugs. They empower the patients with the ability to make the right decisions in life.

Counseling

Counseling is an integral part of all drug treatment programs. It helps identify the behaviors and problems that trigger and lead to addiction. The counselors talk to the addicts and help them adopt healthy behaviors and overcome temptations to relapse. This counseling is important in helping break down denial in addicts and guides them along the path towards recovery.

Choosing the Right Drug Treatment Facility

If you suffer from addiction to drugs and would like help in overcoming the problem, you can enroll in any drug treatment facility. You can also encourage a relative or a friend struggling with drugs to enroll for assistance in overcoming addiction. The easiest way to go about it is to run an online search. You will find a variety of rehabilitation programs advertising their services. Go through their websites and choose the one that you feel is best suited to help you start your life afresh free from drugs.