Drug Treatment

Drug addiction is a disease best treated with a complete drug treatment plan. The goal of any good drug treatment plan is to enable the addict to achieve lasting abstinence from drugs and minimize the medical and social complications of ending the cycle of drug abuse.

Drug treatment programs are complex and should include medical, behavioral and mental health components. Short-term drug treatment methods last less than six months and include medical, medication and drug-free outpatient therapy. Longer-term drug treatment includes methadone programs for heroin addicts, counseling, residential community programs and participation in 12-step recovery programs.

Behavioral drug treatment therapy includes counseling, psychotherapy and participation in support groups and/or family therapy. Medical drug treatment involves taking methadone or other medications to help suppress withdrawal syndrome and drug cravings and block the effects of drugs so that the user will not experience the euphoria associated with drugs, should he or she take them once again.

Because many recovering addicts also require other drug treatment services, such as medical, mental-health and HIV-prevention services, the more treatment a drug abuser receives, the better his or her chances will be of staying off drugs permanently. Patients should remain in drug treatment for at least three months, or they have a higher risk of returning to drug use within the next year.

Options for drug treatment facilities are numerous, but most drug treatment professionals agree that the patient's chances for full and permanent recovery are best when he or she participates in a long-term residential program after detox. While outpatient or short-term residential programs are certainly better than no drug treatment whatsoever, studies have shown that without therapy, counseling and community support, the recovering addict is likely to return to a life of drugs.

Treatment Referral provides referrals to rehabs that effectively treat alcohol, drug and substance abuse beyond the initial cleansing of the system, addressing the behavior and thinking patterns which directly contribute to the individual's disease. If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from drug abuse, please contact Treatment Referral today to find out more about your treatment options.