Other Holistic & Alternative Drug Abuse Therapy
There are alternate types of therapies that can be used to complement the more standard treatment types listed above to aid recovery. Though these techniques do serve as adequate substitutes for the substance abuse treatment programs themselves, they can help promote recovery through stress management and overall wellbeing. Some of the complementary therapies are:
Tips For Finding The Best Drug Addiction Treatment For You
Remember that no treatment works for everyone. Everyones needs are different. Whether you have a problem with illegal or prescription drugs, addiction treatment should be customized to your unique situation. Its important that you find a program that feels right.
Treatment should address more than just your drug abuse. Addiction affects your whole life, including your relationships, career, health, and psychological well-being. Treatment success depends on developing a new way of living and addressing the reasons why you turned to drugs in the first place. For example, your drug dependency may have developed from a desire to manage pain or to cope with stress, in which case youll need to find a healthier way to relieve pain or to handle stressful situations.
Commitment and follow-through are key. Drug addiction treatment is not a quick and easy process. In general, the longer and more intense the drug use, the longer and more intense the treatment youll need. And in all cases, long-term follow-up care is crucial to recovery.
There are many places to turn for help. Not everybody requires medically supervised detox or an extended stint in rehab. The care you need depends on a variety of factors, including your age, drug-use history, medical or psychiatric conditions. In addition to doctors and psychologists, many clergy members, social workers, and counselors offer addiction treatment services.
How Common Is Substance Misuse
Substance misuse is a significant challenge facing teens and young adults.
- Recent studies show that 14.4 million adults and over 400,000 teenagers in the U.S. have an alcohol use disorder.
- Misuse of prescription drugs is the fastest-growing drug problem affecting teenagers today. Misuse of over the counter medicines like cough medicine, is also a growing problem among teens as young as 13.
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Substance Use And Mental Health: Whats The Connection
Substance misuse and mental health issues are closely linked. Many people who struggle with substance misuse also struggle with a mental health challenge. Research shows that one in four adults in the U.S. with serious mental health issues also have problems with substance misuse.;And people who struggle with addiction are twice as likely to have a mood or anxiety disorder.
Similarly, people who are struggling with a mental health issue can turn to drugs and alcohol as a way of copingbehaviors that can compound their existing mental health challenges.
In some cases, drug use is what causes a persons mental health issues. For example, using cocaine can lead to anxiety, misusing marijuana is linked to increased depression, and misusing prescription medications can lead to anger, paranoia, and even psychosis.
With mental health issues and substance use so closely linked, does one condition cause the other? Not necessarily. Mental health issues and substance use disorders do share some common causes, including genetics, brain development, and traumatic experiences early in lifewhich helps to explain why they occur together so often.
If you or someone you know is using alcohol or drugs to cope with mental health issues, or if you believe alcohol or drug use is making your mental health challenges worse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline for a free, confidential conversation at any time.
What Are The Treatments For Opioid Misuse And Addiction
Treatments for opioid misuse and addiction include
- Medicines
- Counseling and behavioral therapies
- Medication-assisted therapy , which includes medicines, counseling, and behavioral therapies. This offers a “whole patient” approach to treatment, which can increase your chance of a successful recovery.
- Residential and hospital-based treatment
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What Are Complications Of Sexual Addiction
There are a number of potentially devastating complications of sexual addiction. Possible medical complications include contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including the potentially fatal human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C. Examples of occupational consequences include decreased work performance or attendance due to the preoccupation with the addiction. If the behaviors result in unwanted sexual advances on others, legal problems like sexual harassment or rape perpetration may result. Individuals whose sexual addiction involves attraction to minors might engage in child molestation.
Depending on the financial demands of the addiction, the sufferer of a sexual addiction may incur a great deal of debt or engage in illegal or otherwise unsafe activity associated with the behavior. Emotionally, individuals with a sexual addiction are at risk for terrible guilt and shame at their actions and the secrecy involved. They are also more likely to experience broken relationships, separation, divorce, and the many challenges involved.
Medications Used In Substance Abuse Treatment
When;combined with counseling and behavioral therapies to assisted in a patients recovery, medications play an important role in many addiction treatment protocols.2Various medications may be used to help reduce cravings and manage withdrawal from opioids, alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other sedatives.2
Opioid agonist medications such as buprenorphine and methadone as well as antagonist therapy with naltrexonemay be used to help those with an addiction to opioids.2 For those in recovery from alcohol use disorders, medications like acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone can be used to decrease continued drinking behavior.2
Additional medications may be used off-label for symptomatic support during withdrawal and treatment, as well as to address any co-occurring mental or medical health issues.2
Not sure about the cost of treatment or rehab? Find out if insurance is able to cover all or part of the cost of rehab and medications used in treatment.
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What Is Substance Abuse Disorder
Substance abuse disorder, or drug addiction, can be defined as a progressive disease that causes people to lose control of the use of some substance despite worsening consequences of that use. Substance use disorder can be life-threatening.
Addictions are not problems of willpower or morality. Addiction is a powerful and complex disease. People who have an addiction to drugs cannot simply quit, even if they want to. The drugs change the brain in a way that makes quitting physically and mentally difficult. Treating addiction often requires lifelong care and therapy.
The First Step To Overcoming Drug Abuse And Addiction
Developing an addiction to drugs isnt a character flaw or a sign of weakness, and it takes more than willpower to overcome the problem. Abusing illegal or certain prescription drugs can create changes in the brain, causing powerful cravings and a compulsion to use that makes sobriety seem like an impossible goal. But recovery is never out of reach, no matter how hopeless your situation seems or how many times youve tried and failed before. With the right treatment and support, change is always possible.
For many people struggling with addiction, the toughest step toward recovery is the very first one: recognizing that you have a problem and deciding to make a change. Its normal to feel uncertain about whether youre ready to start recovery, or if you have what it takes to quit. If youre addicted to a prescription drug, you may be concerned about how youre going to find an alternate way to treat a medical condition. Its okay to feel torn. Committing to sobriety involves changing many things, including:
- the way you deal with stress
- who you allow in your life
- what you do in your free time
- how you think about yourself
- the prescription and over-the-counter medications you take
Its also normal to feel conflicted about giving up your drug of choice, even when you know its causing problems in your life. Recovery requires time, motivation, and support, but by making a commitment to change, you can overcome your addiction and regain control of your life.
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Starting With A Primary Care Doctor
For anyone thinking about treatment, talking to a primary care physician is an important first stephe or she can be a good source for treatment referrals and medications. A primary care physician can also:
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Evaluate a patients drinking pattern;
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Help craft a treatment plan
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Evaluate overall health
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Assess if medications for alcohol may be appropriate
Individuals are advised to talk to their doctors about the best form of primary treatment.;
Treatment Models And Approaches
Historically, treatment programs were developed to reflect the philosophicalorientations of founders and their beliefs regarding the etiology of alcoholismand drug dependence. Although most programs now integrate the following threeapproaches, a brief review of earlier distinctions will help primary careclinicians understand what precursors may survive or dominate among programs. Thethree historical orientations that still underlie different treatment models are
These three models have been woven into a biopsychosocial approach in mostcontemporary programs. The four major treatment approaches now prevalent in publicand private programs are
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Understanding Substance Abuse And Addiction Disorders
Most of us will try one or more mind-altering substances at some point in our lives, either for recreational purposes or because it was prescribed to us. When you take a drink at a party, smoke a joint, or take a pill that wasnt prescribed to you, it often starts as casual, social use. But over time, what starts out as a way to experiment or have fun can lead to a substance misuse and addictionwhat health professionals call a substance use disorder.
Misusing substances can have serious effects on your physical health and emotional well-being, and can even change the way your brain functions. But with treatment and support, it is possible to recover from a substance use disorder.
The Role Of The Primary Care Clinician Throughouttreatment
As already noted, all primary care clinicians have important roles to play inidentifying, screening, and referring patients with substance use disorders forin-depth assessment or treatment and in delivering brief interventions to patientswith milder substance-related problems. In addition, the clinician has an array ofoptions, depending on time and resources available, for offering ongoing support andencouragement to patients who do enter the formal treatment system. These optionsinclude
- Learning about treatment resources in the community that offer appropriateservices
- Keeping in touch with the specific treatment program where the patient isenrolled to ascertain its quality and understand the approach and servicesoffered
- Requesting formal reports regarding the treatment plan and progressindicators from the program on a periodic basis
- Clarifying the clinician’s role in the continued care of the patient
- Reinforcing the importance of continuing treatment to the patient andrelatives
Completing specialized treatment is only the beginning of the patient’s recoveryprocess. Primary care clinicians should continue to ask their patients about theproblem they were treated for at every office or clinic visit. During these visits,the clinician can monitor the potential for relapse and take any necessary steps toprevent slips from occurring
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Which Medicines Treat Opioid Misuse And Addiction
The medicines used to treat opioid misuse and addiction are methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
Methadone and buprenorphine can decrease withdrawal symptoms and cravings. They work by acting on the same targets in the brain as other opioids, but they do not make you feel high. Some people worry that if they take methadone or buprenorphine, it means that they are substituting one addiction for another. But it is not; these medicines are a treatment. They restore balance to the parts of the brain affected by addiction. This allows your brain to heal while you work toward recovery.
There is also a combination drug that includes buprenorphine and naloxone. Naloxone is a drug to treat an opioid overdose. If you take it along with buprenorphine, you will be less likely to misuse the buprenorphine.
You may safely take these medicines for months, years, or even a lifetime. If you want to stop taking them, do not do it on your own. You should contact your health care provider first, and work out a plan for stopping.
Naltrexone works differently than methadone and buprenorphine. It does not help you with withdrawal symptoms or cravings. Instead, it takes away the high that you would normally get when you take opioids. Because of this, you would take naltrexone to prevent a relapse, not to try to get off opioids. You have to be off opioids for at least 7-10 days before you can take naltrexone. Otherwise you could have bad withdrawal symptoms.
Every Patients Needs Are Different
While buprenorphine and naltrexone are very convenient and eliminate the need for daily dosing at a clinic, methadone is highly effective for many patients.;Working closely with a coordinated care team, including family, friends, counselors, and clinicians to identify the best strategy will help ensure the chances of successful treatment and recovery.
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Habit Forming Vs Addiction: Whats The Difference
Have you ever driven home from running an errand and realized you were on autopilot the whole way? When brushing your teeth,do you have to think about what youre doing?; Things you do from memory without really thinking about them are habits. Addiction, however, is behavior we compulsively repeat despite what we know to be negative consequences. While addiction can become routine like a habit, it is much more than a habit.
Having a glass of wine after work is a common way to relax. For some people it adds pleasure to their day and, by itself, doesnt constitute alcoholism. If wine becomes the only way you know how to unwindand you cant relax without itwell then, Houston, we have a problem.
What Causes Opioid Addiction
Opioid drugs alter your brain by creating artificial endorphins. Besides blocking pain, these endorphins make you feel good. Too much opioid use can cause your brain to rely on these artificial endorphins. Once your brain does this, it can even stop producing its own endorphins. The longer you use opioids, the more likely this is to happen. You also will need more opioids over time because of drug tolerance.
Drug tolerance is when your body, over time, gets used to the effects of a drug. As this happens, you may need to take a higher dose of the drug to get the same effect. When you take opioids over time, you need a higher dose to get the same pain relief.
If you stop using an opioid for a period of time, your tolerance will begin to fade. If you need to begin taking it again, you most likely will not need your former higher dose. That can be too much for the body to take. If you stop taking a medication, and then resume, talk to your doctor about dosage.
Is There A Cure For Addiction
Currently, there is no cure for substance use disorders. Much like other chronic health issues, addiction is a persistent and sometimes-relapsing condition. However, also much like other chronic health conditions, there are various ways to treat and manage drug addiction. By treating substance use disorders, people can regain control over their lives by working against the disruptive effects that drugs or alcohol once had on their brain.9
Shopping Addiction Support Groups
For people in recovery, 12-step and other support groups can help in many ways. Talking to others who struggled with the same issues can reduce stigma and loneliness and teach effective approaches for overcoming addiction. These groups can also help people connect to higher sources of meaning and deeper sources of joy.
Fortunately, there are support groups specifically for people with compulsive spending disorder and related addictions. Shopping addiction support groups include the following:
- Spenders Anonymous
- Shopaholics Anonymous
These groups hold meetings in many different communities. Local meetings can be found by searching online. In addition, there are online support groups for shopping addiction that can help people who do not have a local meeting to attend or who simply feel more comfortable online.
Addiction Treatment Services At Vertava Health
Prolonged substance abuse can be harmful to a persons physical, mental, and emotional health, but we offer comprehensive and individualized addiction treatment to help people and their loved ones heal in all capacities.
Our substance use disorder treatment services consist of a full continuum of care to help people at every stage of recovery including:
Alcohol and Drug Detox
Virtual Addiction Care
Co-Occurring Disorder Care
After talking with you and gaining a better understanding of your needs, our care team will help you decide which program is right for you or your loved one.
Following American Society of Addiction Medicine guidelines and utilizing evidence-based treatment modalities, our substance abuse treatment centers are designed to help people achieve lasting recovery from addiction. Under the supervision of licensed addiction specialists, patients will work in group and individual settings to address the root causes of their addiction as well as connect with the recovery community. Ancillary services such as family therapy sessions, case management support, and alternative programming are also used to help patients heal.
Pursuing Pleasure To Avoid Pain
Old school thinking believed that people who developed addictions were morally inferior and overcoming addiction simply a matter of mustering up the willpower to just say no. That catchy slogan from the 1980s, unfortunately, perpetuated the idea that addictions arent mental health illnesses. They ARE.
Today, we know through science and research that addiction is a chronic disease. Addiction changes brain structure and function, just as cardiovascular disease damages the heart or diabetes disables the pancreas.
Addiction develops as dysregulation of our brains drive-reward system when stimulated by pleasure-inducing substances and/or behaviors in vulnerable people. Vulnerability is generally a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors.2
In vulnerable people, addiction impairs the ability to self-regulate and leads to the compulsion for different reasons.
Our neurobiology drives us to do things that promote our survival and propagate our DNA. We experience these drives as motivations, compulsions, impulses, urges, desires, or cravings. Desire compels us to be safe, to feel good and to not feel bad, and to reproduce.
The brain has evolved to experience rewards as a way to satisfy desire. These rewards are relief of distress and pleasure. We seek relief from pain, anxiety, discomfort, and other unpleasantness. Pleasure can include satisfaction or enjoyment .
Distress can be biological , emotional , and spiritual .
