Treatments For Addiction

Addictive disorders are a group of disorders that can cause physical and psychological damage. Receiving treatment is essential for breaking the cycle of addiction. However, as a chronic disease, addiction is difficult to treat and requires on-going care.

The first step to recovery is acknowledging the presence of an addiction and its effects on daily life.

The first step towards recovery is acknowledging that substance use has become a problem in the person’s life which is disrupting the quality of their life. This can result from impairment in school, work, social, recreational or other important areas of function.

Once an individual recognizes the negative impact of a substance on their life, a wide range of treatment options is available. A person with an addictive disorder requires access to treatment. For most people, treatment may last for the rest of their life. They will need to abstain from the substance on a life-long basis, which can be difficult. Treatment plans for addictive disorders will often change to meet the needs of the patient.

Treatment options for addiction depend on several factors, including the type of addictive disorder, the length and severity of use, and its effects on the individual. A doctor will also treat or refer for treatment any physical complications that have developed, such as liver disease in a person with alcohol use disorder or respiratory issues in people with an addiction to substances which have been smoked.

Several treatment options are available, and most people experiencing addiction will receive a combination of approaches. None of the treatments for addictive disorders work for every person.

Common interventions might involve a combination of inpatient and outpatient programs, psychological counseling, self-help groups, and medication.

Detoxification is normally the first step in treatment. This involves clearing a substance from the body and limiting withdrawal reactions. If a person is addicted to more than one substance, they will often need medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms for each.

Counseling and behavioural therapies are the most common form of treatment following detoxification.

Therapy might occur on a one-to-one, group, or family basis depending on the needs of the individual. It is usually intensive at the outset of treatment with the number of sessions gradually reducing over time as symptoms improve.

Different types of therapy include:

1. Cognitive-behavioural therapy, which helps people recognize and change ways of thinking that have associations with substance use.

2. Multi-dimensional family therapy, designed to help improve family function around an adolescent or teen with a substance-related disorder

3. Motivational interviewing, which maximizes an individuals willingness to change and make adjustments to behaviours. Motivational incentives that encourage abstinence through positive reinforcement

Counseling for addiction aims to help people change behaviors and attitudes around using a substance, as well as strengthening life skills and supporting other treatments.

A person might take medication on a continuous basis when recovering from a substance-related disorder and its related complications. However, people most commonly use medications during detoxification to manage withdrawal symptoms. The medication will vary depending on the substance that the person is addicted to.

Longer-term use of medications helps to reduce cravings and prevent relapse, or a return to using the substance after having recovered from addiction. Medication is not a standalone treatment for addiction and should accompany other management methods such as psychotherapy.

Thank you for reading.