Addiction Treatment: Which Philosophy is the Best?

Throughout the United States there are many different philosophies that are embraced by addiction treatment programs to treat the addict and alcoholic Some addiction treatment providers believe that addicts and alcoholics are genetically predisposed others bio-chemically, in either case, this is a controversy that has been debated for years within the scientific, medical and chemical dependency communities. One “camp” believes in the disease of the brain, which embraces the notion that addiction greatly affects the thought and chemical process within each person.

Another “camp” argues that addiction is a dual problem consisting of a physical and mental dependency on chemicals, compounded by a pre-existing mental disorder. They would argue that the mental disorder needs to be treated first and is the primary cause of the addiction. A third line of thought clings to the belief that addiction or alcoholism leads to “chemical imbalances” in the neurological system.

With all of this information and research, the fact remains, that there is scientific evidence to support all of these concepts. Based on national averages, we have about a 20% full recovery rate. Recognizing that we still have a long way to go, it is clear that addicts and alcoholics tend to achieve long term sobriety with a combination of drug rehab / addiction treatment, coupled with attendance at a 12 step self help program

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