Acknowledging the problem of addiction is the first step on the road to recovery. This first step is the most important and once you have admitted there is a problem and that you or your loved one needs help you will need to find the type of support and recovery that is right for your situation. A common approach is to have an assessment done by a licensed chemical dependency counselor, who will then come up with a treatment plan for you. This plan may include, detox, inpatient treatment followed by outpatient and aftercare treatment and a plan for the future. This is extremely general and your situation will require plans to confront your specific problems. Alcoholism and drug addiction often mask other psychological or physiological problems which will need to be dealt with to ensure long term success. Read on to find out more about some of these treatments and to get a general idea of what is involved in each step along the way.
Hospital Detoxification
Drugs such as heroin, Prescription Opiate Based Painkillers (Morphine, Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Vicodin) and alcohol can create a condition in the body known as “physical addiction”. Excessive use of these drugs over time creates a state in which your body has an actual physical need for the drug. When stopped abruptly intense physical urges occur which make it very difficult to quit using the drug. In the case of alcohol, these withdrawal symptoms can be so serious that it is essential that you have medical care during this period. In the case of opiates such as heroin the physical symptoms create such discomfort that medical help is strongly suggested to decrease discomfort and increase your success in getting through detox. Generally a patient is admitted into a 3-7 day detox program at a hospital or medical detox facility in your area prior to further treatment. At this facility a doctor will examine you and you will undergo treatment specific to your drug of abuse. This treatment may include the use of certain prescription drugs to ease symptoms, the use of Buprenorphine for opiates or benzodiazepines for alcohol.
Residential Addiction Treatment
The most successful treatment for addiction continues to be precluded by a length of time at an inpatient residential treatment center. An inpatient treatment program allows a patient to be immersed in treatment for a length of time. This time can vary but is most often 7 – 35 days. In this process the addict is surrounded by other people going through the same problems. There is also 24 hour access to chemical dependency counselors. In residential facilities the addict is given the unique opportunity to completely focus on their recovery. These facilities usually offer many types of programs to aid in the individual’s recovery. An additional benefit to being at a residential treatment facility is that the underlying problems, either physical or psychological can be diagnosed during sobriety and dealt with appropriately. The residential facility can then recommend further treatment such as dual diagnosis, anger management, trauma counseling, or medical treatment for physical disabilities. Treating these underlying problems is a key to long term success.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment
Outpatient treatment is an umbrella term which describes any number of methods which do not include being admitted to a facility. Outpatient treatment is a good choice for an individual’s first recovery experience or as an extension of treatment once an individual is released from and inpatient program. Outpatient treatment often is a group therapy situation where an individual comes to their group from once a day to once a month. The group is used as the addict’s support system as well as the counselor who runs the group. Outpatient therapy is most successful when done for the long term and in conjunction with participation in twelve step groups such as Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous.
