Drug Treatment Modalities

The website policyalmanac.org says that in 2001, 15.9 million Americans 12 and older admitted using illicit drugs in the month prior to being surveyed, with 76 percent of them having used marijuana. The number of illegal drug users today is unknown, although drug abuse remains a huge problem in the United States. Types of drugs used vary as do treatment modalities offered.

Types of Drug Addiction

• Some drugs are psychologically and physically addictive, some just psychologically addictive. Different treatment modalities are based on these facts.

Medical Detox

• According to drugdetox.org, medical drug detox takes place under the care of doctors, inpatient for five to seven days. This costly procedure removes the drug from the system so that all uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms are eliminated.

Outpatient Detox

• Many addicts opt for less expensive outpatient detox done at a facility or other appropriate location and overseen by a physician.

At-Home Detox Kits

• Many health stores carry at-home detox kits that contain herbs designed to cleanse the body of drugs such as opioids (including heroin) and prescription pills that pose uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Outpatient Care

• For those who cannot afford high-priced inpatient treatment, groups such as Narcotics Anonymous offer services free of charge. Groups meet weekly and provide addicts an open forum to discuss their feelings. NA is an excellent place to find resources for different drug treatment facilities in your area.

Tips

• Most addiction experts agree that unless an addict is ready to stop using, most drug treatment attempts will be futile. Once they are ready to make a change in their lives, recovery is possible.