Treatment Programs

People asked all the time, which treatment should I get for my addiction? Well, the one that works best for you. I am not trying to be facetious in saying this, but we ultimately want to help people get sober and stay sober. How many times have we heard about the person who completes a $12,000 treatment program and as soon as they leave the hospital they run out and get drunk or high? It seems like a waste of money. We also hear stories of people who were forced into treatment through a family intervention or legal problems and went to treatment, got sober and it changed their life. It's amazing that people can begin the process of recovery reluctantly and come through it very grateful and committed to sobriety. The different types of drug rehab depend upon the degree of dependence, your money situation, and the kind of drug you are addicted to. Some rehabilitation centers have medical detox's, to ease the symptoms of withdrawal, intensive counseling, and some have methods that address other causes of addiction. In general, one can chose between drug rehab with in-patient requirements versus out-patient treatment.

While varied, these paths go through similar stages, beginning with detoxification, going through therapy, and ending in employment and housing. Often, every type of drug rehab starts in a medical setting called detoxifications centers. In this center the drug chemically leaves the system, and the person is no longer physically dependent upon the drug. Under supervision, the patient's side effects can be helped by medication, as well as proper nutrition and sleep. A residential, in-patient treatment center provides full-time supervision in a tightly controlled environment. This type of drug rehab usually involves a short often as little as 30 day's stay, with the expectation that the addict will continue treatment in an out-patient setting. (O'Connor, Donovan, & DiClement, 2001)

Some other intensive types of drug rehab rely on voluntarily attended out-patient treatment, which means you live and work on your own. You attend meetings, counseling sessions, or classes designed to equip the addict with new coping skills so that when they encounter stress, you no longer turn to drugs. This includes so-called 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, that have a strong spiritual basis.

Finally, there are a few types of drug rehab that attempt to address the underlying causes of addiction and repeated relapse, such as estrangement from family and friends, no support system, low employment skills, mental illness, and living conditions. This holistic approach to drug rehab includes halfway houses and community centers, where an addict acquires job skills, practical advice, and has enough time to completely remove them from their old way of living. Such a facility, like The Salvation Army Rehabilitation Centers, often allows patients to stay for an extended period of time, from six to twelve months, until they are confident they can function independently without returning to their addiction. Most any kind of treatment program that works includes Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 steps. So how do we make the choice of where to send our clients for treatment? This paper will explore some of the different types of programs out there and the pros and cons of each type of treatment.

First we should discuss what exactly substance abuse addiction is. Addiction is a complex but treatable disease. It is described as a "compulsive drug or alcohol craving, seeking, and use that persist even in the face of severe adverse consequences." (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 1999) Realizing that you have a problem and that you need help is a tremendous first step. You might realize that you are an addict, physically dependent on a drug or drink but admitting that you need help is another thing. Declining health, a job loss, a lost relationship, or trouble with the law over addiction might also be a wakeup call. For many people, addiction becomes a lifestyle where relapses are a possibility even after long periods of recovery. Through treatment tailored to their individual needs, most addicts with substance abuse problems can recover and lead productive lives. The ultimate goal of treatment is to enable an addict to achieve lasting sobriety, but the immediate goals are to reduce drug or alcohol abuse, improve their ability to function, and minimize the complications of drug abuse and addiction.

Recovery from addiction is a long-term process and frequently requires multiple episodes of treatment. Some key principles that have been identified to form an effective treatment program are:

* No single treatment is appropriate for all individuals.

* Treatment needs to be readily available.

* Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical.

* Counseling is a critical component of all effective treatments for addiction.

* Detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself does little to change long-term drug use.

* Treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective.

* As is the case with other chronic, relapsing diseases, recovery from drug addiction can be a long-term process and typically requires multiple episodes of treatment. (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2009)

The goal of any treatment is to return the individual to a productive functioning life. For this to work you need an addict to be fully motivated on their recovery. All approaches to recovery depend on the desire of the person to get and remain sober.

The first step to any good treatment program is medical detoxification. Detox is a process where individuals are put to withdrawn from addicting drugs or alcohol in an inpatient or outpatient setting, typically under the care of a physician. Medications are available for detoxification from opiates, nicotine, benzodiazepines, alcohol, barbiturates, and other sedatives. In some cases, particularly for the last three types of drugs, detox must be done in medical facility, because if left untreated withdrawal may be medically dangerous or even fatal. Once you finish detox your next step should be some kind of treatment programs.

Outpatient Drug-Free Treatment programs varies in the types and intensity of services offered. Such treatment costs less than residential or inpatient treatment and often is more suitable for individuals who are employed or who have extensive social supports. Low-intensity programs may offer little more than drug education and a warning about using drugs. Other outpatient models, such as intensive day treatment, can be comparable to residential programs in services