Addiction Treatment, Drug Addiction and Alcoholism

What are the long-term effects of alcoholism and drug addiction?
Problems associated with drug addiction vary widely among different people. Long-term use may result in changes in brain function that last long after the person stops using drugs. Tobacco dependence is the number one cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S. Alcohol is not far behind. People with drug addiction can have financial, social, legal, and other personal problems. These may last long after they stop using the drug. Death is fairly common in those with drug dependence due to harmful effects of the drug on the body.

What kind of addiction treatment is available for drug addiction and alcoholism?
The type of addiction treatment partly depends on the drug that is used and the personality of the affected person. Addiction treatment is complex as is the disease.. Often it must address the addiction, as well as, the person’s mental and physical health, family issues, social network and aftercare. Effective addiction treatment may include behavioral therapy, experiential therapy, cognitive therapy medication therapy, or some combination of these. Behavioral therapy helps people:
• cope with craving
• avoid contact with drugs
• prevent or cope with relapse
The best drug abuse programs will provide a combination of therapies and services. Successful addiction treatment recognizes or responds to certain important issues.
• No single drug addiction treatment will work for all people.
• Drug addiction treatment must be readily available for a long enough period of time.
• Effective drug addiction treatment meets the multiple needs of the person, not just the drug abuse problem.
• A plan must repeatedly be assessed and changed to meet changing needs.
• Counseling and behavioral therapies should be included in the treatment plan.
• Medicines may be needed along with counseling.
• Mental illness and drug abuse must be treated at the same time.
• Medical detox will only work as the first stage of a long-term treatment plan.
• Alcoholism treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective.
• Possible ongoing substance abuse must be monitored.
• An alcoholism treatment program need to detect and treat any infectious diseases and teach people to avoid spreading disease.
• Recovery can take a long time, and alcoholism treatment may be needed several times.

What happens after alcoholism treatment?
After initial alcoholism treatment a person must be involved in an aftercare plan. In the alcoholism treatment program an aftercare plan will be designed for you which may include attendance at 12 step meetings, therapy and attendance at alumni meetings.

If you are looking for drug addiction treatment or alcoholism treatment you can call the national helpline at 1-800-99-DETOX.