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Drug Rehabilitation Options

Drug addiction is a complex disease, so there is no single treatment appropriate for all people. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), a rehabilitation program must include several components, which address different aspects of the disease. These include assisting the patient to stop taking drugs, helping him to live drug-free, and ensuring that he can function productively at home and in society after he stops using drugs. Drug addiction may require long-term care. It is unrealistic to believe that a patient who has managed to remain drug free for a couple of weeks is fully rehabilitated.

  1. Medication

    • Medications are often used in combination with therapy and counseling and are useful at various stages of treatment. Initially medications are used to stop the patient's withdrawal symptoms, while he goes through detoxification. Once the detoxification is complete there are medications that can restore brain chemistry and prevent setbacks by reducing the patient's desire for drugs. Today there are medications available to reduce the cravings for tobacco, heroin, alcohol, and morphine.

    Residential treatment centers

    • Both short-term and long-term residential treatment centers provide a safe, structured place where patients live full time and focus on recovery. A stay at a residential treatment center treatment varies for each patient. Dr. O'Flaherty of the Betty Ford Center, says many patients benefit from longer stays at a facility, because they have more time to recover and to address other psychological issues, which may be an underlying cause for drug use.

    Hospital rehabilitation

    • Long term drug addiction may create chronic medical conditions, which may need to be treated in a hospital environment. Drug rehabilitation at a specialized unit in a hospital is an option for patients who are suffering from medical or psychiatric conditions in addition to their drug addiction.

      Many hospitals also offer out patient therapy and group support for those who do not require hospitalization.

    Self-Help and support groups

    • Groups such as Narcotics Anonymous and the Association of Persons Affected by Addiction (APAA) offer support programs, counseling, and frequent meetings. There are also on-line groups such as The Second Road that offer cyber support. The Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) offer a non-religious alternative to traditional twelve-step programs, with a focus on crediting the individual for maintaining his drug-free lifestyle.

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