Drug Abuse Treatment Options
Author: Bob Miles

The drug abuse epidemic has gotten so serious that there are
now approximately 10,000 rehabilitation and treatment centers
in the US. The cause of drug abuse is said to be an inability
to cope with life's difficulties in a healthy manner, resulting
in an attempt to self-medicate through the use of drugs. If the
drug is addictive, then the addiction becomes an additional,
independent cause of drug abuse.

Many factors must be considered when determining drug abuse
treatment options - insurance coverage, cost, additional like
family support services, group therapy, 24-hour medical care,
post-discharge monitoring and support, etc.)

Drug abuse treatment can be divided into 3 categories:
outpatient, inpatient (short-term) treatment, and long-term
residential treatment. With inpatient and residential
treatment, follow-up outpatient treatment is usually offered to
ensure that the patient does not lapse.

Outpatient Treatment: This usually involves medication that
reduces the desire for drugs and inhibits withdrawal symptoms
(Methadone, for example), and counseling.

Inpatient Treatment: This is usually short-term and conducted
in a hospital or similar environment. It uses a 12-step program
similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. A drug known as Naltrexone is
used for detoxification and withdrawal symptoms. Counseling is
a necessary supplement to Naltrexone.

Residential Treatment: This is reserved for abusers with
serious problems. It is offered in an atmosphere that resembles
a home rather than a hospital. Treatment is usually for six to
twelve months. Treatment includes medication, group therapy,
and individual counseling. These patients usually have serious
habits aggravated by mental health problems that are treated
alongside the drug abuse treatment. Counseling is often
confrontational and aims to re-socialize the patient (some call
it brainwashing). Some treatment centers also offer occupational
therapy. Available Counseling methods generally include
therapeutic community group therapy and cognitive therapy.
Occasionally other forms of therapy such as reality therapy may
be offered. The purpose of residential treatment is to remove
the patient from his usual surroundings, provide round the
clock counseling support, and encourage the formation of
supportive bonds with other patients.


About The Author: "Drug Abuse" at
http://drugabusetreatmentguide.blogspot.com offers readers
complete information about drug abuse and drug abuse treatment
(see also
http://drugabusetreatmentguide.blogspot.com/2007/03/drug-abuse-treatment-centers.html).