Drug Addiction Treatment Helps Addicts Conquer Addiction   by Ben Pate

in Health / Diseases and Conditions    (submitted 2012-01-18)

If someone asks if drug rehabilitation is worth the cost, they simply need to measure the health and incarceration costs of those that are not willing to seek treatment. People able to recover become contributing members of society and can live a healthy life. The steps in treatment include physical detoxification, inpatient and outpatient therapy. All of these steps are designed to remove the addiction and prevent a relapse. The freedom attained by surviving the addiction can be inspirational.

Detox

The first step in the process is getting the drugs out of the body. This step is called detoxification. During this step, the individual may have severe physical and emotional problems that require a medical team trained to deal with the problems. The physical problems are often alleviated by using other non-addictive drugs that help the body adjust to a new type of existence. The emotional stress during this period may cause violent outbursts and deep depression. Often, this takes place in a medical facility or a center with medical staff.

Therapy

Inpatient therapy begins building coping skills. During this time, the person is dealing with feelings of isolation and the need for the drug. Through the sessions, they are able to talk with others dealing with similar issues. This helps by building a support system and teaches stress coping skills that point to healthy outlets like physical activities instead of drugs.

Outpatient Therapy

The outpatient therapy happens when the patient and staff feel the person is ready to reenter society. This can be a very scary step for any addict. The fear of going back to a world that includes free access to the drugs that destroyed their life can be stressful. The counselors will be in constant contact to monitor their progress. Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings are very helpful in providing the support system the patient experienced in group therapy while going through inpatient processes. The point is to reenter society and avoid the situations that cause the desire for drugs to arise.

Time Frame

Therapy lasts as long as needed. To put a specific time on the treatment would limit its ability to provide successful and lasting effects. Most people will spend from one to many months in the inpatient system. Once they are ready to reenter society, they will struggle to avoid returning to old habits that caused the addiction in the first place. Most survivors will explain that the treatment lasts the rest of their life as they work hard to avoid a relapse.

Relapse

People relapse for various reasons. It is extremely important for a person to learn how to appropriately cope with different stresses in order to survive in life. The family drug addiction counseling programs work hard to teach these coping skills and provide the support needed in aftercare. However, if a person reenters life in a situation where others around them continue to use drugs and alcohol it can be very difficult for him or her to abstain.

About the Author

The drug rehab provides the physical and mental coping techniques needed to have a productive life. Though the addiction never truly goes away, being able to avoid the situations and tempting scenarios can give a person the confidence needed to be a successful individual. Treatment also provides the families of addicts with resources such as information and family drug counseling. The costs associated with treatment are significantly less than the alternative.