Treating Drug Addiction

Treatment John, 28, was a drug addict, with a habit that was costing him more than just the thousands he'd spent. His liver was dying, his heart weakening, yet regardless of how hard he tried he just couldn't get out of his rut. And it wasn't just a physical thing - he was emotionally dependent on substances to make it through the day. With will power he had tried and failed. John recognized he had a problem. John knew he had to get out there and do something about it before it killed him. Where John succeeded, many others have failed, and it is unfortunate that John should be considered an unusual case in this modern age.

John was one of the lucky ones to receive help. There are millions of addicts worldwide that don't get the adequate support and help they need to overcome their drug addiction. In the recent HBO documentary (http://information.testcountry.com/admin/pages/edit/www.hbo.com/addiction/), we are seeing how drug addiction being a major problem in US. Effective addiction treatment curbs the nature of addiction, whilst nurturing the patient's mentality to maintain will power. The combination of physical and mental stimulants help keep the body away from its overwhelming requirement. Addiction is a difficult process at the best of times, and can be particularly horrible and demoralizing when it comes to the fight. Support is not only helpful but a necessity as part of a treatment program.

Addiction can be a lonely place, so being with the right people can mean the difference between complete success and utter failure. Furthermore, medication and replacement substances can be used to help dampen the side effects and bodily urges. Thankfully, there is a wealth of empirical research on the subject of addiction from a variety of viewpoints, and the developments of more comprehensive drug abuse recovery programs are astonishing. Addiction is finally becoming recognized as a curable disease, and is being afforded the necessary resources to make a real difference to lives around the world. Addiction doesn't just affect the addicted, but also everyone involved in his or her life. By making support and medication available to those who have the will, there can be a realistic way out of addiction towards a new, reformed life. With increasing resources and treatment plans available, addiction need no longer plague its victims forever.

There is an growing consensus that drug addiction is a form of disfunctional learning. Drugs of abuse take over the neuronal circuitry involved in motivation and reward, leading to aberrant engagement of learning processes. Because of this, drug-associated cues can trigger cravings (a desire to use) as well as unconcious or compulsive drug-seeking behavior, with the sense that voluntary control over drug use is lost. Animal studies have shown drug availabilty over and above the actual effects of the substance are associated with stimuli, exposure to objects associated with use trigger the release of adrenaline ( fight or flight ) this excitation can be perceived as a 'need' to use. Mechanisms of drug addiction effect The mechanisms by which different substances activate the reward system vary among drug classes.

Depressants such as alcohol and benzodiazepines work by increasing concentrations of GABA in the brain. Narcotics such as morphine and methadone, work by mimicking endorphins - chemicals produced naturally by the body which have effects similar to dopamine - or by disabling the neurons that normally inhibit the release of dopamine. These substances (sometimes called "downers") typically facilitate relaxation and pain-relief.

Stimulants such as amphetamines, nicotine, cocaine, and caffeine increase dopamine signaling, either by directly stimulating its release, or by blocking its absorption (see "reuptake"). These substances (sometimes called "uppers") typically cause heightened alertness and energy. Many prescription or over the counter drugs can become addictive if abused. A large number of other substances are currently considered to have no medical value and are not available over the counter or by prescription. Depending on the jurisdiction, these drugs may be legal only as part of a government sponsored study, illegal to use for any purpose, illegal to sell, or even illegal to merely possess.

Recovery from drug addiction Methods of recovery from addiction to drugs vary widely according to the types of drugs involved, amount of drugs used, duration of the drug addiction, medical complications and the social needs of the individual. Treatment is just as important for the addicted individual as for the significant others in the addicted individuals sphere of contact. One of many recovery methods is the 12 Step recovery program, with prominent examples including Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. They are commonly known and used for a variety of addictions for the individual addicted and the family of the individual. Substance-abuse rehabilitation (or "drug rehab") centers frequently offer a residential treatment program for the seriously addicted in order to isolate the patient from drugs and interactions with other users and dealers. Outpatient clinics usually offer a combination of individual counseling and group counseling. Frequently a physician or psychiatrist will assist with prescriptions to assist with the side effects of the addiction (the most common side effect that the medications can help is anxiety). People interested in not using drugs to detoxify from drugs should consider acupuncture detoxification. Residential drug treatment can be broadly devided into two camps: 12 Step programs or Therapeutic Communities. 12 step programmes have the advantage of coming with an instant social support network though some find the spiritual context not to their taste.

In the UK drug treatment is generally moving towards a more integrated aproach with rehabs offering a variety of approaches. These other programs may use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy an approach that looks at the relationship between thoughts feelings and behaviours, recognising that a change in any of these areas can affect the whole. CBT sees addiction as a behaviour rather than a disease and subsequently cureably or rather unlearnable. CBT programmes recognise that for some individuals controlled use is a more realistic possibility. Other forms of treatment involve replacement drugs such as methadone. Although methadone is itself addictive, opium dependency is often so strong that the gradual tapering of a less-addictive substance is the only way to reliably treat the user. Other treatments, such as acupuncture, may be used to help alleviate symptoms as well. Determining the best type of recovery program for an addicted person depends on a number of factors, including: personality, drug(s) of addiction, concept of spirituality or religion, mental or physical illness, and local availability and affordability of programs.

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