Substance Abuse Treatment Lessons

Substance abuse is a complex issue with no magic bullet solution for every person experiencing it. Many factors go into how and why a person abuses a substance, including socialization, genetics and life experience. The duration of time abusing the substance, the severity and amount of abuse also factor into the appropriate treatment plan. Treatment plans exist as outlines to what must evolve into a customized path monitored by one or more professionals.

Misconceptions

• It can be easy for family members and friends of a substance abuser to place blame. A person's substance abuse can directly affect those around that person in negative ways, and placing blame is one way those people may employ to stop the person. Feeling guilty about a substance abuse problem can provide motivation to change, but it can also make the problem worse. The National Institute of Drug Abuse points out in the first chapter of "Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research Based Guide" that substance addiction is complex. Many people overlook the fact that addiction is a brain disease. It takes more than guilt, blame and a moment of willpower to overcome a serious substance addiction. Understanding this may relieve the substance abuser of guilt that encourages him to continue using the substance.

Treatments

• Even if two people have abused the exact same substance for the exact same amount of time, these two people may require two very different treatment programs. No one program is a surefire solution for every person abusing a substance. While good programs are constructed based on research and experience, all programs remain outlines to what must become a more customized process. The substance abuser himself will begin to figure out what he needs to recover through time, effort and experience with a program.

Time

• Substance abusers may often attend a rehabilitation program. A rehabilitation program is a temporary escape from normal everyday activities where the substance being abused is restricted from entering the premises. Abusers are also focusing on mentally and physically overcoming the substance. While these programs may last a particular number of months, this does not mean the abuser is automatically cured of her addiction after attending. Remaining in a program, and perhaps a follow-up program, for however long it takes each individual to recover, is critical. In Alcoholics Anonymous, members are encouraged to attend occasional meetings for the rest of their lives.

Monitoring

• If an individual identifies himself as a substance abuser, he must be monitored by several different types of professionals, who will then continually reassess his program and process. The National institute of Drug Abuse says that those who abuse substances often have other mental disorders. Therapists, psychiatrists, doctors, counselors and counseling groups may be a part of an individual's recovery program. The abuser should make her scheduled visits on time, even if she feels as though she has recovered, to prevent relapse.