Dealing with the treatment of any drug addiction is a matter that needs to be handled with the utmost care and attention. An addiction can be described and defined as a chronic disease that is characterized by compulsive and/or uncontrollable behavior in seeking out drugs despite being aware of the detrimental consequences and harmful effects.

The chemical changes in the brain lead addicts to perform harmful acts and behaviors, both to themselves and their loved ones. For an addict, seeking and taking drugs becomes a compulsion, affecting the parts of the brain that control reward and motivation, behavioral impulse control, as well as an addict’s memory and learning abilities.

Principles of an Effective Treatment

Drug addiction treatment UK is like treating one of the many other chronic diseases. The patient needs long-term and repetitive care to help them stop the use of the substance, as well as to help them recover their lives and successfully reintegrate back into society as a functioning and productive member of it.

Goals of an Effective Treatment:

·       Stop the patient from using drugs

·       Maintain the patient’s drug-free status

·       To help the patient become a productive family, work, and societal contributor

The following are a few key principles that form the foundation for any drug addiction treatment program:

• No single treatment is right for everyone
• Effective treatment addresses the patient’s needs, as well as their drug use issues
• Remaining in treatment for a long enough period of time is vital to an addict’s recovery
• Counseling and other forms of behavioral therapy are essential to an addict’s successful recovery and subsequent abstinence from drugs
• Treatments must be continuously reviewed and monitored so they can be tailored to the individual’s changing needs
• Treatments must address other possible mental disorders
• Medically assisted detoxification, through the use of medical drugs, is the first stage in many treatment processes, especially for those addictions involving alcohol and opioids

Medications Used in Drug Addiction Treatment

The use of medicine certainly has its place in the treatment and recovery of addiction. Effectively used to relieve or lessen the symptoms associated with withdrawal, they are also used to assist in preventing relapse as well as for the treatment of co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety and depression. 

Withdrawal

Medical drugs are used in this regard to help suppress withdrawal symptoms during a patient’s detoxification period. This is usually only the first step in the treatment process. Patients who do not receive any further treatment after the detoxification process are more than likely going to resume their previous drug use.

Relapse Prevention

Medication is also used in this regard to regulate and re-establish normal brain function while at the same time decreasing cravings and the urge to take drugs. Medical treatments are available for the treatment of opioids (heroin, prescription pain medications), tobacco (nicotine), and alcohol addiction.

Co-occurring Conditions

Medications may be used for the treatment of conditions that contribute to a patient’s addiction. Attributing conditions such as anxiety and/or depression.

The correct and proper use of medications during drug rehabilitation is critical to the success of the recovery process and is vital to addicts making a full and sustained recovery.