Drug Addiction Treatment Programs
There are many different treatments for drug and alcohol addiction, which depend on the individual's circumstances and the specific drug. Often, there are other problems that go along with drug addiction, including mental health problems, physical health problems, and social problems. There are also varying degrees of addiction ranging from severe physical and mental addiction to emotional and habitual addiction.
Treatment may include detox programs, behavioral therapy, counseling, cognitive therapy, psychotherapy, group therapy, and educational programs. Drug addiction programs include:
Medical Detoxification. Patients are withdrawn from the drug they are addicted to in a medically supervised setting. Sometimes medications are used to reduce withdrawal symptoms, particularly for opiates, alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and stimulants such as cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine.
Inpatient Short-Term Residential Programs. These programs provide intensive but briefer residential treatment, typically over a period of 30 days. The primary focus is on stabilizing the patient, teaching them the principles of abstinence, and different ways to make changes in their lifestyle. Often these programs are based on a modified 12-step approach.
Inpatient Long-Term Residential programs. These are programs in a rehab facility that provides 24-hour care, and they generally range from 3 months up to 1 year. The staff at these programs includes medical doctors, psychologists, counselors, art therapists, and other health care workers. The program is often based on the therapeutic community model, but other programs are incorporated such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, 12-step programs, educational lectures, relapse prevention workshops, family counseling, and aftercare.
Therapeutic community programs focus on the resocialization of the patient by utilizing the entire (rehab facility) community, including other patients, staff, and the social context of the community. A patient’s social and psychological problems are examined in regard to their addiction. Treatment focuses on teaching the patient to take responsibility for his or her actions; for being accountable for the damage done to others, themselves, and any other consequences; and on learning how to lead productive, socially healthy lives. The treatment is intensive and sometimes confrontational as patients examine their harmful belief-systems, their damaging coping mechanisms, their self-image and self-esteem, and their patterns of behavior that have led to drug or alcohol addiction. The goal is to teach patients how to use more constructive ways to deal with emotions, conflicts, and problems, and to function productively within a social community.
Outpatient Treatment. These treatments are less expensive than short or long-term residential treatment and can be suitable for patients who are working or in school — as long as they have extremely strong social support systems. These programs are not usually effective with serious physical drug or alcohol addiction, or for many teenagers who tend to be more impulsive and risk-taking at this point in their development. These programs focus mainly on drug addiction education and group counseling. Some outpatient programs are designed for substance abusers with medical or mental health problems.
Therapeutic Boarding Schools Specializing in Substance Abuse. These programs are extremely effective for teenagers, who often benefit greatly from being removed from the social environment in which they developed their substance abuse problems. Substance abuse frequently causes other problems, including poor academic performance and social maladaptation. Therapeutic boarding schools are specifically equipped with the academic and therapeutic resources, which are utilized in a structured, drug-free social environment.
These programs also have resources to help the student catch up academically and move forward at an accelerated rate. The programs have a high ratio of teachers, counselors, staff, and therapists per student, and the student population tends to be small and close-knit. Teachers can focus on each individual student and are able to recognize each student’s learning style and strengths. Then they can customize their teaching methods for each student.
Additionally, they often use intensive experiental therapy, which takes place within a drug-free social context. The usual pressure from their hometown school environment is relieved and replaced by positive peer pressure to work the program and remain sober. Teenagers are given the opportunity to improve their self-esteem and confidence and learn how to function and have fun without the use of drugs or alcohol.
These programs are usually designed for the teenager and young adult who are in the early stages of recovery and have a commitment to remaining sober. They are appropriate for students who are enthusiastic about going to the boarding school and willing to work hard to learn how to follow a healthy lifestyle.
The type of program and treatment will depend on the individual’s personality, problems, type of substance abuse, family situation, and mental and physical health. It’s important that you locate a source that is knowledgeable about all the treatment options as soon as you realize your teenager has a substance abuse problem. Teenagers and young adults often do better in programs designed specifically for their age range, and long-term treatment has been shown to have greater success in preventing future relapses.
It is important to work with appropriate counselors who can help make an informed decision. Picking the right program for the right young adult as they travel through the recovery process can make a great difference in preventing future relapses from occurring.
Article written by Jillian Blume
