What Medications Are Available To Help With Substance Use Disorder
Medication may be part of your treatment plan. Your care team figures out the best medications for you. Medication-assisted treatments are available for:
- Opioids: Methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone are FDA-approved for the treatment of Opiate Use Disorder.
- Alcohol: Three FDA-approved drugs include naltrexone, acamprosate and disulfiram .
- Tobacco: A nicotine patch, spray, gum or lozenge can help. Or your doctor might prescribe bupropion or varenicline .
The Impact Of Substance Abuse In College
College drug abuse often leads to addiction. Addiction can not only cause significant difficulties for the addicted person, it also has widespread negative consequences for society as a whole.
Drug abuse and addiction cost taxpayers nearly $534 billion in preventable health care, law enforcement, crime, and other expenses every year.
This doesnt even account for the pain and suffering endured by the addicts and their families, which cant easily be measured.
Break free from addiction.
Presence Of Support Network
Drug consumption, which initiates as stress relief, soon develops into an addiction habit. With a good support network during difficult situations, a person is likely to get counseling to resolve the problem rather than developing unhealthy habits of consuming drugs. Family, friends, colleagues, and counselors play a crucial role in preventing developing drug addiction habits.
Addiction treatment is the ultimate remedy.
Once the drug addiction habit has been developed, a cure is necessary. However, the treatment should be better rendered under the expert guidance who runs research-based prevention programs.
Read Also: How To Beat Addiction To Painkillers
Relapse And Prevention Planning
For some people, prevention may mean more than not using drugs in the first place it can mean preventing a return to drug use. For people in recovery from addiction, prevention means creating a relapse prevention plan to reduce the risk of sliding back into substance abuse. A relapse prevention plan can teach a person in recovery how to cope with stressors, drug cravings and triggers for drug use. For example, the plan may include strategies a person can use, such as going for a walk, exercising or reading a book when stressed. It might also involve developing a list of triggers and how a person can avoid them.
A relapse prevention plan could also involve attending support groups on an ongoing basis to discuss stressors and triggers in a supportive, drug-free setting. Some people may continue to attend counseling from time-to-time to help them process difficult emotions or devise strategies for managing triggers.
Tips For Preventing Substance Abuse
While there is no one way or guaranteed way to prevent someone from abusing drugs and alcohol, there are things that everyone can do to prevent substance abuse.
Here are the top five ways to prevent substance abuse:
1. Understand how substance abuse develops. Substance abuse starts by:
- Using addictive drugs for recreational purposes
- Seeking out intoxication every time you use
- Abusing prescription medication
2. Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure. Develop healthy friendships and relationships by avoiding friends or family members who pressure you to use substances. Its often said we become most like those we surround ourselves by, meaning if you surround yourself with people who abuse drugs and alcohol you are more likely to as well. Peer pressure is a major part of life for teens and adults. If you are looking to stay drug free develop a good way to just say no, prepare a good excuse or plan ahead of time to keep from giving into peer pressure.
3. Seek help for mental illness. Mental illness and substance abuse often go hand in hand. If you are dealing with a mental illness such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder you should seek professional help from a licensed therapist or counselor. A professional will provide you with healthy coping skills to alleviate your symptoms without turning to drugs and alcohol.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Smoking Addiction
Promote The Protective Factors
In addition to managing risk factors and providing support to those who are at risk, making use of protective factors can serve as an effective drug abuse prevention strategy. Protective factors include high academic achievement, employment, marriage and a strong social support system, including family. Additional research has arrived at a similar conclusion, finding that completing college, having a job, and being married or in a committed relationship reduces the risk of drug use.
Supportive friendships and relationships are another safeguard against substance use and addiction. Making use of these protective factors can prevent people from turning to drugs and alcohol to cope. Prevention efforts should teach about the importance of education, healthy relationships and career.
The Scope Of Prevention
In the past, there was a tendency to regard primary prevention as the only true form of prevention. It is nowrecognized that effective prevention approaches are required before and aftersymptoms become apparent, since substance abuse disorders are chronic andrelapsing or recurring in nature. Moreover, personal and financial costs canbe largely attributed to episodes that follow a first onset, meaning thatthe prevention of recurrence and relapse – including relapse after successfultreatment – is an essential aspect of a public health strategy to reduce prevalence.
Moreover, primary prevention has been classified into universal, selectiveand indicated, according to the level of risk of using substances . The US Institute of Medicine defined universal preventive interventions as those targetingthe general public or a whole population group.Selective preventiveinterventions are those aimed at subgroups of the population whoserisk of developing the disorder is significantly higher than average . Indicatedpreventive interventions were defined as those targeting high-riskindividuals who are identified as having minimal but detectable signs or symptomsforeshadowing the disorder, or biological markers indicating a predispositionfor the disorder, but who do not meet diagnostic levels at the present.
Read Also: Why Do People Have Addictive Personalities
Many Men And Women Learn Through Treatment That Addiction Doesnt Have To Be A Life Sentence
That said, it takes constant management and a keen sense of awareness to maintain sobriety. Now that youre leaving your addiction treatment center, youre about to embrace life again to the fullest. As all of these good things begin to happen, its important to recognize the risks you will face each day.
These risks include addiction triggers or situations that can spur a relapse. Taking yourself out of these high-risk scenarios isnt hard to do, once you learn to anticipate them.
Take a look at some of the most common addiction triggers and consider how to avoid them. Theres no doubt you will encounter situations that heighten your cravings. Being able to recognize these and take action to prevent them from becoming a relapse is essential.
What Are Treatments For Drug Addiction
Several therapies exist for treating substance use disorder. Even for a severe disorder, treatment can help. Often, youll receive a combination of these therapies:
- Detoxification: You stop taking drugs, allowing the drugs to leave the body. You may need healthcare supervision to detox safely.
- Medication-assisted therapies: During detox, medicine can help control cravings and relieve withdrawal symptoms.
- Behavioral therapies:Cognitive behavioral therapy or other psychotherapy can help deal with addictions cause. Therapy also helps build self-esteem and teaches healthy coping mechanisms.
Also Check: How To Know If You Have An Addiction
Genetics Of Substance Abuse
A study published in the Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics demonstrates that variations in certain genes can contribute to a persons potential to develop alcoholism. However, these genes alone do not determine whether alcoholism will be passed on. The article acknowledges that there may be other gene variations that contribute. In fact, other studies, such as one from the journal Addiction, indicate that other types of variation are involved. The ways that genes work and interact with one another are complex, and there may be a range of combinations and factors that result in the inheritable trait of addiction.
While genetic research will continue to illuminate these contributors, there is a general understanding that genetic propensity alone will not result in a person becoming addicted to a substance. In fact, some of those genetic factors may never come into play if the persons environment doesnt promote the behavior.
Environmental Contributors
According to NIDA, the factors of a persons environment that contribute to the development of addiction include home, school, work, and peer associations and experiences. Typically, a person is more likely to begin using drugs or alcohol if:
Other factors in a persons day-to-day life may also contribute to this risk, including socioeconomic status, residence in a rural area or a city, and prevalence of crime in the persons family life or area of residence.
Addiction as a Developmental Disorder
Can I Prevent Substance Use Disorder
Yes. Preventing drug addiction starts with education. Education in schools, communities and families helps prevent misusing a substance for the first time. Other ways to prevent substance use disorder:
- Dont try illegal drugs, even one time.
- Follow instructions for prescription medications. Don’t ever take more than instructed. Opioid addiction, for instance, can start after just five days.
- Dispose of unused prescriptions promptly to reduce risks of misuse by others.
Recommended Reading: How Long Does It Take To Detox From Alcohol Addiction
Prevent Addiction Before It Starts
There are a lot of ways to prevent addiction. Most of them come down to self-care, relationships, and healthy coping skills. Even if preventing addiction isnt your top priority, doing these things will benefit your mental health and allow you to live a happier, more fulfilled life. Here are 5 practical addiction prevention tips.
Who Is At Risk For Substance Use Disorder
Anyone can develop a substance use disorder. No one thing can predict whether a person may develop an addiction. You may be more prone to drug use due to:
- Biology: The persons genetic makeup, gender, ethnicity and mental health issues may raise his or her risk for developing an addiction. About two-thirds of people in addiction treatment are men. Particular ethnicities are at higher risk for substance abuse disorder. This is true for Native Americans.
- Environment: Surroundings can affect the likelihood of developing substance use disorder. For example, stress, peer pressure, physical or sexual abuse and early exposure to drugs can raise the risk.
- Age: Teenagers who start taking drugs are especially at risk. The parts of the brain that control judgment, decisions and self-control are not fully developed. Teens are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. In a developing brain, drugs can cause changes that make addiction more likely.
You May Like: Why Are People Addicted To Their Phones
Everyone Has A Role In Prevention Find Yours Join Prevention Action Alliance
At Prevention Action Alliance, we are dedicated to leading healthy communities in the prevention of substance misuse and the promotion of mental health wellness. Were building a world where every community has access to high-quality prevention resources and where all know their role in prevention.
To build that world, we need your help. Everyone has a role in prevention. It takes a community to create safe and healthy environments for our children, and wed like to invite you to join the Prevention Action Alliance, whether youre a:
What Are The Treatments For Drug Addiction
Treatments for drug addiction include counseling, medicines, or both. Research shows that combining medicines with counseling gives most people the best chance of success.
The counseling may be individual, family, and/or group therapy. It can help you:
- Understand why you got addicted
- See how drugs changed your behavior
- Learn how to deal with your problems so you won’t go back to using drugs
- Learn to avoid places, people, and situations where you might be tempted to use drugs
Medicines can help with the symptoms of withdrawal. For addiction to certain drugs, there are also medicines that can help you re-establish normal brain function and decrease your cravings.
If you have a mental disorder along with an addiction, it is known as a dual diagnosis. It is important to treat both problems. This will increase your chance of success.
If you have a severe addiction, you may need hospital-based or residential treatment. Residential treatment programs combine housing and treatment services.
Recommended Reading: How To Break Eating Addiction
Find The Support You Need
People going through emotional distress are susceptible to drug abuse if they lack the right coping skills. There might be events or experiences in the past that affect your feelings and make you feel stressed.
If you feel that you have paranoia, depression, anxiety or other mental problems, you should seek social communities or spiritual organizations that can help you eliminate the negative emotions and behaviors in a healthy life-affirming manner. The problem with using drugs with mental disorders is that they only make your problem worsen.
Common Causes Of Drug Addiction
To help prevent drug addiction is to first understand why people are drawn to drugs in the first place. The reasons are different for each individual. Some people take drugs because it makes them feel good as some substances can have a euphoric effect. Others keep using drugs because it relieves them from stress, anxiety or depression. Also, some use drugs because it improves their performance, or enhances their abilities.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the most common causes of drug addiction are:
- Biology or genetics
It is in a persons DNA and it also covers the persons state of mental health. According to the American Addiction Centers, 40-60% of drug addicts are at risk because of this factor.
- Social Environment
This pertains to the influences around the person , the persons economic status and general quality of life, including the experienced stress and trauma.
- Development
This is when using the drugs interacts with a persons critical development stages, thus drug addiction usually starts during the teenage years.
However, drug addiction may also happen to those prescribed with painkillers following an injury, or surgery. With no intention to experiment, some, unfortunately, get hooked on prescription medications.
Don’t Miss: How To Break Marijuana Addiction
Treatment For Insomnia And Alcohol Addiction
Alcoholism treatment can be more challenging when the person also has insomnia. The problem worsens when there’s an additional co-occurring psychological or physical health condition.
This is partly because a lack of sleep affects the quality of life and a persons ability to perform well even under the best conditions.
The inability to get enough rest during detox and recovery worsens the already challenging circumstances, leading to disturbed sleep.
The best option is to take a comprehensive approach to help a person cope with alcohol use disorder, insomnia, and any co-occurring condition. This means the person receives support and guidance from a team of treatment providers.
Alcoholism treatment programs begin with evaluating a persons physical and psychological health. This helps to identify all problem areas. Next, they undergo medical detox to manage withdrawal symptoms as effectively as possible.
Medical care related to insomnia and any co-occurring conditions continues throughout treatment. In addition to medications, this might also include different types of therapy that address a persons use of alcohol and co-occurring issues.
Coping skills aid in falling asleep because they improve your mental health. For example, meditation and breathing techniques. Cognitive-behavioral therapy also helps support a healthy sleeping schedule.
Treatment Options for Alcohol Abuse & Addiction
Here are some of the best treatments for AUD:
These services may include:
- Disulfiram
Peer Pressure And Support Networks
Surround yourself with people you want to emulate, people you admire and respect. This is good advice for both children and adults. It is very difficult to develop healthy relationships and friendships with people who urge you to abuse substances. This kind of peer pressure doesnt disappear when you graduate from high school it is part of life for adults, too, and you need to be ready to resist it.
Instead of a web of acquaintances that subject you to peer pressure and suck you into their problems, work to create a support network. Your network can be people who like the same healthy activities that you do for example, people who like to play a sport you enjoy or who watch the same shows. They are friends and family who support you, and want you to be healthy.
Recommended Reading: Is Narcan Free To Addicts
Can Drug Addiction Be Prevented
Various experts have been figuring out the very nature of drug addiction a type of substance abuse disorder. Debates continue about whether, or not this disease can be prevented.
For some, the tendency to abuse drugs may be ingrained in their system. Genetics, or a family history of drug addiction puts many people at a greater risk. For others, however, drug addiction might be a form of weakness following a persons decision to experiment with illegal substances. Thus, various drug prevention and early intervention programs are in place to help curtail this problem.
How Is Drug Addiction Cured
Various drug addiction habits are treatable. But its cure is not certain. Addiction can be successfully managed with hard work and proper guidance. However, the person has to be determined to give up addiction habits and desire to stay clean in the future.
Earliest the cure for addiction is rendered the shorter is the pain span, relapse chances, and addiction challenges. With the right medicinal therapy, there are greater chances of recovery from addiction habits.
Addiction is accompanied by withdrawal symptoms.
Most of the time, quitting drug addiction is coupled with withdrawal symptoms. These are so severe that a patient often opts for relapse.
There are high blood pressure issues, diabetes mellitus, abstinence, and more, which requires repeated treatment to negate relapse triggers. Daily life stressors like environment, workplace, and things associated with the former drug abuse also trigger a relapse.
If proper treatment is not rendered to a person against drug abuse, they are likely to contact reasons that initiate relapse.
Recommended Reading: How To Help Someone With Drug Addiction And Depression
