Types of Drug Treatment Programs

There are many forms of drug treatment, some outpatient and others residential treatment centers. The purpose of all drug treatment programs is to prevent the patient from regressing to drug abuse. Illicit drugs may have the user hooked after only one use, due to the powerful way that the drugs make users feel--this is a big pull in the case of relapse. Drug treatment may be mixed and matched depending on the individual user's degree of habitual drug use. Treatment that works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another. Therapy is based on individual needs and what treatment has worked in the past, if any.

Rehabilitation

• Methamphetamine, or meth, use for fast, unhealthy weight loss and a powerful "high" is a popular drug of choice. Inpatient drug rehabilitation is recommended for at least 30 days to help the user cope with withdrawals, drug-induced psychosis and other negative effects that meth use brings to the user's personal life. Behavioral therapy is used to instill change in lifestyle and modify thought processes in a positive direction.

Education

• During inpatient rehabilitation, the drug user will be educated about the negative effects of drug use on relationships and employment, and the possibility of criminal prosecution for use and distribution. Daily group therapy benefits the user by reinforcing the use of good habits.

Therapy

• Recovering drug users are given medication therapy to help regain normal brain function, reduce cravings to use drugs and change the user's thought processes to be receptive to the therapies offered to the individual such as group therapy.

Substitutes

• In the case of opiate addicts, medication therapy includes buprenorphine as a substitute for heroin, with the dosage being gradually reduced as therapy and wellness progresses and the user shows improvement.

Support

• Family support is encouraged although tension may be present due to the family's treatment by the user when he was using illicit drugs. Understanding the user's illness and not taking it personally is key to being supportive and not resentful to the user. Intensive group therapies several times per week and support from other entities, such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous, are recommended for optimum therapeutic value.