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Many people struggle with drug use. This common problem has overtaken the lives of millions. Contrary to the beliefs of many, most drug addicts do not want to live with the constant cravings. They no longer want to use drugs, because it is more of a burden than a relief. Unfortunately, they are unsuccessful at quitting. Some believe that addicts do not try hard enough to stop taking drugs. The truth is that it is an excruciating and difficult thing to do. Withdrawal symptoms are painful and dangerous enough to kill drug users. Often, they have no family and friends to support them as they try to recover. To combat these terrible odds against quitting, drug addicts can turn to drug treatment centers.
There are several types of drug treatment centers. Not all drug addictions are the same. Therefore, each individual does not require the same sort of treatment. There are short-term and long-term centers, inpatient and outpatient centers. Some drug treatment centers focus on behavioral therapy, while others promote pharmacological therapy. Others include a combination of both therapies. It is up to the doctor and patient to determine which treatment would be best suited for the patient.
Most short-term, outpatient drug treatment centers are usually located inside hospitals. Drug addicts can check themselves into the hospital to go through the detoxification process. The length of time that a patient stays can vary from one to fourteen days. Most patients do not stay for over a week. Caring family members usually bring these patients to the hospital. Because the treatment is so short, it is very difficult for recovering addicts to stay sober. Therefore, those who participate in short-term, outpatient care must seek assistance from an aftercare program. The support of family and friends would definitely help in this situation, also.
The next type of short-term drug treatment center has an inpatient program. Attendees stay for a period of 3-6 months. While there, they may undergo behavioral or pharmacological therapy and attend a Narcotics Anonymous class. Special clinics devoted to the treatment of drug addiction house the program participants and offer food, shelter, medical attention, and emotional support. The recovery rate is significantly higher than those who receive treatment for less than three months.
Drug treatment centers that keep patients for 6-12 months have the highest sobriety rate among recovering drug addicts. Drug users can turn to group homes, halfway houses, and therapeutic communities for help with stopping the drug abuse. Most long-term care programs focus on behavioral therapy. This type of therapy teaches recovering addicts how to live fully functional lives without drugs. They learn to integrate with society around them while refraining from people, places, and things connected to their old way of life. They learn what it takes to secure a job and provide for themselves. They understand that staying sober is an active choice that takes a great deal of commitment. The best candidates for long-term drug treatment centers are those who have had prolonged drug use and/or have been involved in criminal activity related to drug use.
For more information about drug addiction and treatment, call the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at 1.800.662.HELP.
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