There are many addictive drugs, and treatments for specific drugs can differ. Treatment also varies depending on the characteristics of the patient.
Problems associated with an individual's drug addiction can vary
significantly. People who are addicted to drugs come from all walks of
life. Many suffer from mental health, occupational, health, or social
problems that make their addictive disorders much more difficult to
treat. Even if there are few associated problems, the severity of
addiction itself ranges widely among people.
A variety of
scientifically based approaches to drug addiction treatment exists.
Drug addiction treatment can include behavioral therapy (such as
counseling, cognitive therapy, or psychotherapy), medications, or their
combination. Behavioral therapies offer people strategies for coping
with their drug cravings, teach them ways to avoid drugs and prevent
relapse, and help them deal with relapse if it occurs. When a person's
drug-related behavior places him or her at higher risk for AIDS or
other infectious diseases, behavioral therapies can help to reduce the
risk of disease transmission. Case management and referral to other
medical, psychological, and social services are crucial components of
treatment for many patients. The best programs provide a combination of
therapies and other services to meet the needs of the individual
patient, which are shaped by such issues as age, race, culture, sexual
orientation, gender, pregnancy, parenting, housing, and employment, as
well as physical and sexual abuse.
Treatment medications, such as methadone, LAAM, and naltrexone, are available for individuals addicted to opiates. Nicotine preparations (patches, gum, nasal spray) and bupropion are available for individuals addicted to nicotine.
Medications, such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or
neuroleptics, may be critical for treatment success when patients have
co-occurring mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorder,
bipolar disorder, or psychosis.
Treatment can occur in a variety
of settings, in many different forms, and for different lengths of
time. Because drug addiction is typically a chronic disorder
characterized by occasional relapses, a short-term, one-time treatment
often is not sufficient. For many, treatment is a long-term process
that involves multiple interventions and attempts at abstinence.
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