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Drug Addiction & Drug Addiction Solutions

When someone is struggling with drug addiction, there can be many different causes, and many different reasons why they don't get help. There are also many different types of drug addiction solutions, with some being more workable than others at actually fully resolving drug addiction for individuals who can't stop abusing drugs or alcohol on their own. This article will fully explain all of this, including how to get someone help for addiction and the best drug addiction solutions that are available.

The most important thing to understand if you are struggling with drug addiction is that there is hope, and addiction can happen to anyone. If someone you care about is struggling with addiction, one of the worst things you can do is be judgmental, because this most often backfires and only makes the problem worse. Someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol loses control over their sense of what is right and wrong, because of the physical and psychological dependency that they develop to these substances, and most often they would choose to stop this vicious cycle if they could. But to regain control over their power of choice is often not something that is very realistic even with the best of intentions. This is why drug rehab exists. So just because someone has fallen into a pattern of substance abuse doesn't make them a bad person, it just means they need help to get back on the right track. So instead of trying to make them feel bad about it get them help.

How Addiction Works

There are a few different theories about addiction, and hence various treatment models to address the problem that so many people are affected by. There is the popular idea that drug addiction is a chronic and often relapsing disease, that an individual is genetically predisposed to, that should be treated much like any other chronic disease such as diabetes for example. This theory purports that an individual that is struggling with drug addiction does so because of brain changes or genetic predisposition that compels them to abuse drugs, a compulsion which they have no control over. The disease model drug rehab programs therefore typically treat drug addiction with medication and behavioral therapy, in an effort to control these compulsions in hopes that the addicted individual will have a chance at living a healthy and productive life. So the treatment solutions offered in these instances are often something which will be part of a maintenance routine for the rest of their lives. They therefore are labeled and call themselves an "addict", a label they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Now while the above is the most supported and popular theory about addiction, it is important to note that new research in the field of drug addiction reports that addiction is actually something which is caused by purely environmental factors, as opposed to genetic predisposition or other similar causes. This not only sheds light on the causes of addiction, but how to more effectively treat it, without the needed for continued maintenance. So while psychological and physical dependence is often what prolongs the cycle of addiction, the initial reason someone began abusing drugs or alcohol is very often purely environmental instead of something they are predisposed to because of a disease or genetic factors. Therefore, a drug rehab program which not only addresses the most immediate and superficial manifestations of addiction but also addresses what caused the individual to begin abusing drugs will provide the type of breakthroughs needed to fully resolve the issue so that the person is much less likely to turn to drugs and alcohol in the future.

This isn't to say that someone who has an alcoholic parent might not be more predisposed to addiction than someone else, yet here again is a good example of an environmental factor that could prompt someone to use drugs and/or alcohol. Obviously, having a drug addicted or alcoholic parent isn't the most ideal environment for a child. This could cause stress and anxiety, and children in these types of situations turn to drugs and/or alcohol as an outlet to self medicate, much like an adult would do when subjected to life stressors. Adolescents and young adults in these circumstances also don't have the best supervision in many cases, so are free to experiment with drugs and alcohol as so many adolescents do. Children of alcohol or drug addicted parents however may be more inclined to continue use beyond experimentation, and this is when it can turn into a more serious problem that will need to be addressed with treatment before it permanently affects their future. This doesn't have anything to do with genetics, but it could in fact open the door to many solutions because it is something which could be effectively addressed in a comprehensive drug treatment program.

So too are adults affected by things in their environment which could compel them to use drugs or alcohol as a means to not feel, escape from a situation that is causing stress or anxiety etc. This is very often the case with individuals who drink on a daily basis for example, maybe a bottle of wine to unwind from a long day. Someone who gets into a pattern of alcohol abuse soon becomes dependent on alcohol as a means of self medicating because of stress and anxiety. They may not be considered an alcoholic, but seemingly innocent and benign use of alcohol in these instances is a true dependency that could turn into a more serious issue if not addressed. Because drinking in excess is not only acceptable but even glamorized in our current society, a drinking problem can seem normal even when it is very likely causing negative social, economical, emotional, and physical consequences.

Prescription Drug Abuse

This is very true for individuals who use medical drugs in such a way, such as anti-anxiety medications, prescription pain killers, etc. as a means to not feel or not confront certain things going on in their lives. Even what would be considered legitimate use of medical drugs for stress relief can very often develop into a dependency situation where an individual literally cannot function without their pill or multiple medications in some cases. And in this day and age, it is all too common for individuals to obtain medical drugs for non-medical use without a prescription and abuse them to self medicate or even to get high. Even the FDA confirms that these types of medications, such as benzodiazepines, prescription pain killers, and even stimulants used to treat so-called ADHD are dependence inducing, and most of these medications are therefore only recommended for short-term use.

While medical drugs may seem "different" than illicit drugs which are abused, or "safer", drug dependence is drug dependence and there is truly no difference. Just because someone doesn't have to obtain their drugs illicitly doesn't mean the problem isn't as significant as an illicit drug problem, particularly of course if someone is using their medication at higher than recommended doses or more often than prescribed for example, and particularly if they are abusing these drug non-medically without a prescription. Unfortunately, and much like the alcohol example explained above, even non-medical use of prescription drugs has become just as acceptable as excessive alcohol use. So too can a prescription drug abuse problem go unrecognized and therefore not addressed as a substance abuse issue when in fact it is just as serious as any other illicit drug abuse problem. The consequences of prescription drug abuse are just as significant as any other drug problem, and there are tens of thousands of prescription drug overdoses each year as a result of this type of substance abuse, a problem that affects millions of Americans.

Someone who is dependent to a prescription drug either through legitimate use or non-medical use will need treatment to be able to come off of the medical drug safely and permanently. Unfortunately, and much like illicit drug abuse, individuals can remain in denial that they have a prescription drug abuse problem for quite some time before it reaches a crisis point. And because abusing prescription drugs has become so acceptable, even loved ones and friends can be in denial or completely oblivious if they don't see the warning signs. This is why it is so important to remain vigilant and intervene before this type of substance abuse problem reaches a crisis point, and help get the individual safely detoxed and into a treatment program that can help them readjust to life without using drugs to medicate through life.

Early Intervention

There is a long-standing misconception that in order for someone to be able to be helped for a substance abuse problem or addiction, that they need to reach a very low point or "rock bottom" as most people have heard this referred to. While this is a very common school of thought, it isn't necessarily borne in fact when you consider that early intervention actually results in much more beneficial outcomes, and this is true for a couple of reasons. First of all, by the time someone reaches what would be considered "rock bottom", they will have very likely brought many social, physical, psychological, legal and other types of consequences upon themselves. Some of these consequences could affect them for the rest of their lives, regardless of whether or not they are able to resolve their drug or alcohol addiction issues in rehab. Most types of addiction can be socially, physically, emotionally, and psychologically devastating when allowed to persist, not to mention the toll addiction takes on families, careers, etc.

When someone won't help themselves, they don't need to hit an all time low, they just need loved ones to intervene on their behalf and offer them a treatment solution that will give them hope that they can overcome their addiction. Early intervention, whether it is for an adolescent or adult, can help avoid so many of the acute and long-term consequences that go hand in hand with a lifestyle that addiction results in. The fact that loved ones and friends care enough to intervene out of concern and love, and find a workable treatment solution that can ultimately help them is often all that is needed to get someone to reach out for the help being offered and make an honest effort to get clean.

Drug and Alcohol Intervention

Addiction can make an individual feel completely hopeless, guilt ridden, and ashamed. Casual confrontations about substance abuse may not be successful when loved ones or friends try and confront the person in an effort to help them, because in the addict's mind, it is either unrealistic to them that the situation can ever be resolved or they may just be in a state of complete denial. They will also have to accept responsibility for everything which has transpired in the course of their addiction which more often than not affects everyone around them not just themselves. This can seem too great to bear and downright overwhelming for most. So when such confrontations aren't working, and the individual isn't going to stop their self destructive behavior, an actual drug intervention is a tool that family member and friends can use to get through to the addicted person where other efforts have failed.

Again, anyone who is considering holding an intervention doesn't have to wait until the person's substance abuse problem has reached a crisis point. The sooner a person's self destructive behavior is intervened upon, the fewer consequences everyone involved will experience. So it truly benefits everyone involved to hold a drug intervention as soon as possible, and get the individual into an effective treatment program that can help them resolve their problem once and for all. To find out exactly how to hold an intervention, work with a professional drug and alcohol treatment counselor at a drug rehab program that can either guide intervention participants through the intervention process, or help liaise intervention participants with a professional interventionist.

A professional interventionist can be extremely helpful at making the intervention successful, mainly because interventions can sometimes be highly emotionally charged meetings which can go off track very easily. Having someone there who isn't emotionally invested can be very helpful and can save an intervention that may have otherwise failed. However, it isn't mandatory but only suggested, to have a professional interventionist as part of the process and present at the intervention. It is completely feasible to hold a successful drug intervention, as long as certain things are in place.

How to Hold a Drug and/or Alcohol Intervention

One of the most important things to understand when holding a drug and alcohol intervention is that this may be loved one's and friend's last chance to help the addicted person, and there may not be another opportunity to do so. Because of this, it is crucial to put aside all personal interests, anger, etc. and anything else which could jeopardize the intervention and ultimately jeopardize saving the addicted person's life. An intervention is not a place for participants to vent their emotions and feelings, unless it will positively impact the intervention process. So the first thing you would want to do is choose intervention participants with only the addicted individual's best interests at heart, and don't include anyone who has any other agenda than following the steps of intervention to achieve the end goal of getting the addicted person into an effective drug rehab program. And once the participants are chosen, make sure they understand that the intervention is in no sense any sort of a guilt trip for the addicted person, but is being done out of love and concern.

You will also want to have all arrangements made for the individual's arrival when they do accept help as a result of the intervention, including all logistics taken care of in regards to payment for the drug rehab program, travel arrangements getting them there, notifying their place of employment, bags packed, childcare arranged etc. so that there is absolutely no reason they can't leave for rehab immediately. This may take a concerted effort, including family members pulling funds together to pay for drug rehab, or helping take care of children while their loved one is getting their life back together. All of this effort and sacrifice will be worth it in the end when they can get their loved one back rehabilitated and able to live a drug free life. In the end, this benefits everyone involved, and is obviously the preferred alternative to paying for their funeral.

Prior to the intervention, participants will need to prepare an honest assessment which will be communicated to the addicted individual regarding how their substance abuse has negatively impacted their life and relationships, what can be done about it in the form of effective drug treatment, and what they stand to lose if they don't accept the help being offered. One of the most important aspects of this process is to lay out exactly what the repercussions will be if the individual chooses drugs and/or alcohol over getting help. This too isn't something which should be communicated to the addicted individual in a way that is threatening, but in a way that makes them understand that their destructive choices cannot be allowed to negatively impact the lives of others, and no more enabling will occur. And of course, they will receive all of the support needed should they make the right choice to agree to treatment.

The intervention itself would of course take place in a location where there no time constraints, distractions, etc. so that everyone can speak freely and openly for as long as needed to make the intervention process successful. You wouldn't want to have an intervention in a coffee shop for example, or in a place where the individual doesn't feel comfortable. So choose the participants, drug rehab program, and location and timing of the intervention wisely and work closely with professional treatment counselor or an interventionist to get a loved one in rehab immediately.

Choosing the Appropriate Drug Treatment Solution

With so many different treatment solutions available, it can be challenging to decide which one is going to be the most beneficial for yourself or a loved one. So there are certain things to consider when making this choice, the first of which should always be whether or not the treatment option being chosen meets the level of treatment need of the individual being treated. This is the most crucial, because if a drug rehab program lacks the intensity of treatment needed or is not comprehensive enough, the individual is just being set up for failure. So anyone making this decision will want to keep in mind that someone who is physically and psychologically dependent to any drug will not be able to experience a full recovery overnight. There are no shortcuts to resolving addiction issues which are very often extremely deep rooted, so the expectations one should have should be commensurate with the level of intensity and comprehensiveness of the treatment solution being chosen.

Outpatient Drug Treatment

Outpatient drug treatment can seem like a viable treatment solution for someone who desires more flexibility while they receive treatment. Outpatient drug treatment means the individual can maintain their work and familial obligations if any, and still participate in a moderately intensive treatment program. Now while someone who is in outpatient drug treatment can return home each day and will not have to commit to an inpatient or residential stay, this isn't actually ideal for individuals whose treatment needs exceed that which an outpatient rehab is prepared to deliver. The flexibility and freedom provided is actually contraindicative for individuals who truly require the change of environment that individuals need when they are dependent to drugs and/or alcohol. Because drug and/or alcohol dependent individuals are still vulnerable to environmental triggers on a day-to-day basis and will have access to drugs and alcohol, any gains they make in treatment are likely to be sabotaged when they return home each day. If an outpatient drug treatment solution isn't working out because an individual is relapsing or there is an obvious distraction to their treatment, it is recommended that the individual transition as quickly as possible to an inpatient or residential drug rehab program that will provide the much needed change of environment and possibility for them to completely focus on getting well.

Short Term 30-Day Drug Rehab Vs Long-Term Drug Rehab

There are different lengths of treatment from drug rehab to drug rehab. So you will want to make sure that a drug rehab program is chosen that is of long enough duration to not only address the surface manifestations of addiction, but the true causes which will provide the breakthroughs needed to ensure the individual is prepared to be drug free for the rest of their lives. There are an abundance of short-term programs, which provide treatment for 30 days or less, and these programs are appealing to those who want to get back to their normal lives as soon as possible. Short-term programs can also seem appealing because they are most often the first level of treatment that is covered by an individual's health insurance. And because most funds and resources have typically been exhausted during the course of one's addiction, short-term drug treatment would be at first seem to be the ideal option financially if a person is self paying for drug rehab.

The apparent benefits mentioned above are really secondary to what should be considered when considering long-term benefits and outcomes. So it should be noted that while 30-day programs may seem convenient in many ways, these programs have much higher rates of relapse than more time intensive programs which provide treatment for 90-120 days, also known as long-term drug rehab programs. Short-term 30-day drug rehab programs can help a person become abstinent, help them through detox, become physically stabilized and provide brief intervention depending on the treatment approach of that specific program before and individual is sent back home. Studies regarding substance abuse and drug treatment confirm that a 30-day period provided by short-term programs isn't substantial enough to really delve into any and all issues the individual will need to address to be able to sustain their abstinence. So if at all financially and logistically possible, a long-term drug rehab program which provides intensive drug treatment for at least 90-120 days would be the most ideal treatment option for those who wish to experience a full recovery from addiction.

Inpatient Drug Treatment Solutions

Inpatient drug treatment is provided in a hospital or clinic setting, which can offer many benefits for individuals who not only need a change of environment while in recovery, but also for those who will need specialty detox services or require critical medical support and supervision because of a physical or even mental health issue which will need to be resolved concurrent to drug treatment. Medical intervention is often necessary for example if someone is experiencing life threatening withdrawal symptoms during detox, which is sometimes the case with alcohol and certain medical drugs. Drug addiction can also be physically devastating, so many individuals need help becoming physically stabilized while in treatment which makes an inpatient drug treatment setting extremely ideal. For individuals who may have a co-occurring mental health disorder, an inpatient drug rehab program which treats co-occurring disorders is an ideal option so that they can stop self-medicating and discover drug free alternatives to dealing with mental health issues or things which bring about anxiety and stress in their lives which caused them to self medicate in the first place.

Residential Drug Treatment Solutions

Residential drug rehab programs, and ideally long-term facilities as mentioned above, are an extremely beneficial treatment solution for a couple of reasons. Much like an inpatient drug treatment program, a residential drug rehab facility offers solace for individuals who can benefit from an extreme change of environment while recovering from addiction. But unlike an inpatient setting, a residential drug rehab program can be much more accommodating and provide many of the comforts of home while in treatment, particularly when in a long-term drug rehab program. Many such programs are located in extremely serene settings, far off the beaten path so that individuals aren't tempted to relapse because there is ready access to drugs, their dealer, drug or alcohol using companions, etc. Long-term residential drug rehab programs not only provide the comfort that can be so essential but the length of time needed for an individual to experience the type of outcome they and their loved ones are looking for. So it is worth the time and sacrifice to take part in such an ideal treatment solution when possible. Many long-term residential drug treatment programs are covered by private health insurance, so this is worth exploring as a primary treatment option when looking into which drug rehab program is going to be most ideal.

Disease Model & 12-Step Programs Vs Alternative & Holistic Drug Treatment Solutions

Many individuals are under the assumption that addiction is a disease which can never really be cured, only maintained, or that they will be in recovery for the rest of their lives if they ever do receive treatment as encouraged by 12-step type treatment solutions and programs. As stated earlier in this article, the disease model and 12-step drug rehab programs therefore typically treat drug addiction with medication and behavioral therapy, in an effort to control these compulsions in hopes that the addicted individual will have a chance at living a healthy and productive life. However, these aren't the only schools of thought on the subject of drug rehabilitation, and there are many programs which focus on the true causes of addiction so that individuals can in fact experience a full recovery while in drug rehab.

Programs which offer an alternative solution to disease model programs and 12-step utilize many effective treatment tools which rehabilitate a person so that they can once again be in control of their lives and choices, and not have to carry around with them the label of addict for the rest of their lives. Holistic treatment for example is an extremely effective and proven treatment approach which addresses the individual physically, mentally and spiritually and is therefore the most comprehensive treatment solution available. It is the most comprehensive because while other traditional programs typically only address the surface and acute manifestations of addiction, holistic treatment can help an individual reveal and resolve the more deep rooted issues which triggered the problem in the first place. The individual participates in all sorts of activities to enhance their power of choice so that they lean towards the more healthy and proactive decisions and activities in their lives, and can have the confidence in themselves to be able to stay away from substance abuse and have a much higher quality of life.

Another example of how holistic treatment can be the most beneficial is that it is completely drug free, and no medical drugs or replacement drug therapy is used at any point during the recovery process. The most ideal outcome is for someone to no longer be dependent on any drugs, even medical drugs. So a holistic drug treatment program would not encourage or allow and individual to begin methadone maintenance for example due to opiate dependence, but would promote treatment and activities which help an individual overcome this dependence without drugs so that they can have hope of living a completely drug free life now and in the future.

Many people don't understand when they begin such a maintenance regimen for opiate dependence for example, that this also requires a financial and logistical commitment that will be to be maintained every day of their lives. This can be a burden, and one which is completely unnecessary due to the fact that opiate dependence and other drug dependence can be and is overcome each and every day at holistic and drug free rehabs around the country. So while drug therapy can seem like a more convenient option, it isn't the easy way out individuals think it is, and putting in the time and work to become truly drug free will give them a much higher quality of life when they finish rehab.

The treatment curriculum is often very different at holistic and alternative drug rehabs, and instead of group therapy and individual counseling, many holistic and alternative programs utilize behavioral therapy and life skills training to give individuals the confidence and wherewithal they need to be able to live a drug free life. Individuals in holistic and alternative programs are encouraged through behavioral therapy to be fully accountable for their actions and choices, and even make amends where possible to anyone who has been negatively affected by their addiction. This makes is possible for clients, who are very guilt ridden and ashamed when they first arrive in treatment, so shed these negative feelings about themselves and be able to make a fresh start in their lives and with their friends and family.

Detox Only Treatment Solutions

One thing that anyone who is exploring their treatment options will want to be keen to is treatment solutions which only offer detox, and no further treatment. Sometimes individuals think they can kick their habit, if they can just get through the initial stages of abstinence and withdrawal which can seem unbearable when one is experiencing it. While it is always recommended to receive support during the initial stages of abstinence and to receive professional detox services in a drug rehab program, this should never be the only goal and individuals who only receive detox services and don't pursue further treatment almost always relapse. So while an individual may be eager to quickly detox and get back to their normal lives, this will almost always backfire, and it worth the sacrifice and time to take part in a more comprehensive program in an inpatient or residential setting which will allow them to address the true causes of their substance abuse, where are rarely ever physical in nature.

Paying for Drug Treatment

The cost of an effective drug rehab program can be somewhat off putting, especially when an individual has very likely used a lot of money on their habit. The good news is there are all sorts of programs covered by private health insurance, with both inpatient and residential treatment solutions available in both short and long term settings. Because long-term programs are always the most ideal option, look into a long-term drug rehab program and speak with a treatment counselor there who can determine if your private health insurance covers treatment there. In many cases treatment counselors can liaise with health insurance companies to convince them to cover a long-term inpatient or residential stay when this is deemed necessary by a treatment professional or physician.

If self pay is the only payment option, there are solutions for this as well, with many treatment programs providing financial assistance to help individuals who may experience challenges when trying to pay for treatment for themselves or a loved one. For example, there is a sliding scale fee, which determines what the total cost of treatment will be based on certain factors such as income, dependents, etc. So someone who might at first thing they will never be able to afford a quality and comprehensive treatment solution may in fact be able to begin treatment right away.

Don't Wait

With effective treatment solutions that are within reach for anyone, there is really no need to hesitate, and to do so could mean the difference between life and death for yourself or someone you care about. So if someone you know is experiencing challenges overcoming any type of substance abuse issue, or you need help yourself, professional treatment counselors can tell you how to get started right away on the road to a better life. All you have to do is ask for it.

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