Drug Addiction Treatment Blog

Many people view drug abuse and addiction as strictly a social problem. Parents, teens, older adults, and other members of the community tend to characterize people who take drugs as morally weak or as having criminal tendencies. They believe that drug abusers and addicts should be able to stop taking drugs if they are willing to change their behavior.

These myths have not only stereotyped those with drug-related problems, but also their families, their communities, and the health care professionals who work with them. Drug abuse and addiction comprise a public health problem that affects many people and has wide-ranging social consequences. It is NIDA’s goal to help the public replace its myths and long-held mistaken beliefs about drug abuse and addiction with scientific evidence that addiction is a chronic, relapsing, and treatable disease.

Addiction does begin with drug abuse when an individual makes a conscious choice to use drugs, but addiction is not just “a lot of drug use.” Recent scientific research provides overwhelming evidence that not only do drugs interfere with normal brain functioning creating powerful feelings of pleasure, but they also have long-term effects on brain metabolism and activity. At some point, changes occur in the brain that can turn drug abuse into addiction, a chronic, relapsing illness. Those addicted to drugs suffer from a compulsive drug craving and usage and cannot quit by themselves. Treatment is necessary to end this compulsive behavior.

A variety of approaches are used in addiction treatment programs to help patients deal with these cravings and possibly avoid drug relapse. NIDA research shows that addiction is clearly treatable. Through treatment that is tailored to individual needs, patients can learn to control their condition and live relatively normal lives.

Treatment can have a profound effect not only on drug abusers, but on society as a whole by significantly improving social and psychological functioning, decreasing related criminality and violence, and reducing the spread of AIDS. It can also dramatically reduce the costs to society of drug abuse.

Understanding drug abuse also helps in understanding how to prevent use in the first place. Results from NIDA-funded prevention research have shown that comprehensive prevention programs that involve the family, schools, communities, and the media are effective in reducing drug abuse. It is necessary to keep sending the message that it is better to not start at all than to enter rehabilitation if addiction occurs.

A tremendous opportunity exists to effectively change the ways in which the public understands drug abuse and addiction because of the wealth of scientific data NIDA has amassed. Overcoming misconceptions and replacing ideology with scientific knowledge is the best hope for bridging the “great disconnect” - the gap between the public perception of drug abuse and addiction and the scientific facts.

Source: NIDA
For additional information on drug abuse, addiction treatment, or to locate a drug rehab center, please visit www.recoveryconnection.org

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I got a disturbing phone call a couple of weeks ago: a friend of a friend had been found dead, at age 27.

This young man lived thousands of miles from his family, and was struggling with depression. He had a history of drug abuse. His death was first thought to be a suicide, but he left no suicide note. He had injected himself with cocaine in a hotel room. Lonely life, lonelier death.

His lover blamed himself for not getting him help when he was alive and is now struggling with the challenge of returning his remains to his family who live in another country. This is a real story. It is a heartbreaking story. No one should die this way. No one should get the news that a family member, a friend or a loved one left this world in such a tragic way.

When I talked to my friend he told me that the young man was a troubled person but also a great friend, a fun person, a common person who faced many ups and downs in his short life. Some of the downs were hard to live with, yet, in between depression spells and drug abuse episodes he was a lively guy who everyone enjoyed having around. Those close to him knew of his struggles, but did not know how to get him the help he so desperately needed.

That is why I am telling you this story. If you know someone who is struggling with depression and/or abusing drugs or alcohol, please remember that there are a number of sources for help, including Recovery Connection and 1-800-99-detox. Both offer help 24/7.

Do not hesitate to contact Recovery Connection if you know someone who needs help.

Sometimes it takes “tough love” to save someone - no matter if they are in their teens or facing a mid-life crisis. I hope this story may help someone out there who is struggling with the decision to come forward and help a friend, a lover, a family member or a co-worker who is abusing drugs or alcohol get into treatment. Now is not too late. Tomorrow may be.

Sincerely,

The editor

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Recently a topic of conversation centered on whether there is a difference between a drug rehab and an addiction treatment center. As surprised as people were at the question, it made all of us realize those individuals without knowledge of the addiction treatment business or who have not been in addiction treatment themselves, might be easily confused.

There really is no difference between the two as far as the terminology. When a person mentions drug rehab, they are really referring to a drug rehabilitation program, which is the same as an addiction treatment program, alcohol treatment program or chemical dependency program. All the above, are designed to treat drug addiction and alcoholism, with the only difference resting in the actual services provided, population treated and the philosophy of the program.

Differences in Addiction Treatment Services

While they all generally have residential treatment services in common, it does not mean that each has been licensed to provide detox (detoxification services), partial hospitalization or outpatient treatment. The type of services a drug rehab or addiction treatment center provides is strictly up to the owner and operator and each service must be licensed by the state where the center is located. It suffices to say that the greater the continuum of care, the more likely the center is to be able to meet the patient’s needs.

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Prescription medications such as pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives are very useful treatment tools but sometimes people do not take them as directed and may become addicted. Pain relievers make surgery possible, and enable many individuals with chronic pain to lead productive lives. Most people who take prescription medications use them responsibly. However, the inappropriate or nonmedical use of prescription medications is a serious public health concern. Nonmedical use of prescription medications like opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants can lead to addiction, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use.

Patients, healthcare professionals, and pharmacists all have roles in preventing misuse and addiction to prescription medications. For example, when a doctor prescribes a pain relief medication, CNS depressant, or stimulant, the patient should follow the directions for use carefully, learn what effects the medication could have, and determine any potential interactions with other medications. The patient should read all information provided by the pharmacist. Physicians and other healthcare providers should screen for any type of substance abuse during routine history-taking, with questions about which prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines the patient is taking and why. Providers should note any rapid increases in the amount of a medication needed or frequent requests for refills before the quantity prescribed should have been used, as these may be indicators of abuse.

For more information on addiction to prescription medications, visit our drug rehab and addiction treatment referral pages.

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