If you or someone you love is dependent on alcohol or drugs, substance abuse disorders may seem like an impossible situation making you feel impotent. Many people have felt that way, but they discovered there are options for their drug abuse treatment. What are the best options for drug abuse treatment?
What Causes Substance Abuse Disorder?
Why someone turns to drugs are many and varied and useful to acknowledge. Many times it is a way to cope with situations in their lives that are too painful or difficult to control. It can also be just situational.
Among the many reasons someone turns to substance abuse include:
- Genetics can play a part
- Beginning at an early age
- Easy access
- Conflict in the family
- Low parental monitoring
- A history of abuse, neglect, or violence
Discovering some of the reasons someone turns to substance abuse can assist therapists in a treatment program to choose the right program for them.
Choosing the Right Treatment Program
Treatment depends on the type of substance the person is using plus any medical or mental health disorders that may accompany the addiction. Each step offers several options.
Detox
Detoxification or detox (also known as withdrawal) is the most dangerous point in any treatment process and many times an overdose occurs if the patient tries it alone. Withdrawal therapy aims to help you slowly stop using the drug safely and as quickly as possible. Sometimes another drug is substituted to reduce the withdrawal symptoms.
Some people can get through withdrawal with a minimum of supervision as an outpatient. Others can need more hands-on assistance like a hospital or residential treatment center.
Medication Therapy
Medications can be part of a treatment plan to modify your brain chemistry and help treat certain substance use disorders. They won’t cure the addiction, but will help reduce the cravings and the possibility of a relapse.
- For opioids: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are FDA-approved for opioid use disorders.
- For alcohol: there are three FDA-approved drugs including naltrexone.
An opioid overdose is very dangerous. The drug naloxone reduces the effects temporarily. Today Narcan is available as a nasal spray or injection. Seek medical treatment from Madison Medical Associates immediately after using Narcan.
Behavioral Therapies
Both cognitive and psychotherapy helps substance use disorders along with any other mental health condition. Patients learn how to develop healthy coping mechanisms. These can be used alone or in combination with medications.
These can include psychotherapy with a mental health professional, assertive community treatment where mental health services occur in the community setting rather than a residential treatment center or hospital, or therapeutic communities like long-term residential treatment centers.
Narcotics Anonymous is another complementary self-help program.
Recognize that substance use disorder is a lifelong disease, but you can still recover and lead a happy and full life with the right treatment. Ongoing treatment is best due to the possibility of relapse.
Contact Madison Medical Associates at (256) 325-1160 if you are ready to begin individual substance abuse treatment in Madison, AL.