Addiction Services
Drug addiction is a serious and at times a life threatening condition.
Drug addiction is characterized by a compulsive craving for drugs that
persists even in the face of severe consequences. Drug addiction takes a
form of a chronic problem when an individual after leaving the drug
addiction habit for a long time shows signs of a relapse.
Dependency on drugs not only affects the drug use but also impacts those
around him. One of the most important things from an individual’s
perspective is to realize that dependency on drugs is an issue and
requires external help to get off the drug addiction habit.
An individual with a drug addiction problem may experience a feeling of
shame, isolation and may take recourse in dishonesty and in ‘personal
exceptionalism’. Personal exceptionalism refers to the drug addict’s
belief that he or she has the right to justify any action and behavior
that may contradict his or her personal beliefs while continuing his or
her drug habit.
Rehabilitation from drug addiction is a complex and a multi stage process.
It begins with detoxification, which is not only physical detoxification
but also mental and emotional detoxification.
Drug addiction creates for an individual a dependency on the drug, and the
whole objective of drug rehabilitation is for the individual to get back
control of his physical, mental and emotional self.
Drug addiction recovery can be a long term or a short term process
depending on the severity and stage of the addiction and there is a
possibility of a relapse even after successful detoxification.
A few of the scientifically based approaches for drug de-addiction
include, cognitive behavioral approaches to relapse prevention,
supportive-expressive psychotherapy which include supportive techniques
that enable individuals to discuss their personal experiences and finding
work through interpersonal relationships and individualizes drug
counseling.
Drug addiction treatment helps people to rid themselves of their substance
abuse habit and get integrated back into society and leading independent
lives.
The drug addiction treatment is a long term process that requires frequent
and multiple episodes of physical and psychological detoxification and
rehabilitation and no single treatment is appropriate.
From the drug addicts’ perspective, the treatment needs to be readily
available and the treatment and services plan must be assessed often to be
accordingly modified to meet the person’s changing needs.
For effective treatment the drug addict must remain fully committed to the
entire treatment plan. As there is a tendency for addicts to leave
treatment prematurely, de-addiction and rehabilitation programs must
include means to keep the patient engaged, involved and in treatment.
Counseling as well as behavioral therapies is crucial components of all
effective and successful treatments.
The first stage of drug addiction treatment is the medical management of
the withdrawal symptoms.
Residential drug treatment programs can be very effective in cases of very
severe drug abuse problems. These programs may involve living as apart of
therapeutic communities for periods up-to 6 to 12 months.
Drug de-addiction treatment does not need to be voluntary for it to be
effective. Nevertheless a strong motivation to quit the habit is a great
facilitator but sanctions or coaxing by close and family members or even
justice system can increase substantially both the entry to treatment and
the retention of the individual.
According to an estimate the cost of illicit drug usage to society is
close to US$ $181 billion (2002). And when drug abuse is combined with
alcohol and tobacco, they exceed US $500 billion which includes cost of
healthcare, criminal justice and lost productivity.
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