Substance Abuse Treatment

Substance abuse treatment is the treatment given to individuals who are dependent on habit-forming substances such as alcohol, prescription and illicit drugs. Drug abuse, alcohol abuse and even the abuse of inhalants are widespread problems that are seen not only in adults but even in young children as well.

Treatment Services 

Substance abuse treatment can come as inpatient or outpatient treatment programs, intensive outpatient programs, day treatment, methadone treatment and detox. Outpatient programs are tailored for those with addictions but do not suffer accompanying mental or emotional issues and are willing to undergo the program with family supervision. Intensive inpatient programs are tailored for those who have addictions and other mental or other problems but will benefit more if they underwent the rehabilitation process at home. Inpatient treatment programs are designed for those who need 24-hour supervision. Here patients receive medical therapy as well as counseling and psychiatric services. They are supervised 24 hours a day, most especially while undergoing the detox process. For those suffering from opiate abuse, methadone treatment is the most effective. Methadone has been given for the treatment of opiate addiction for 30 years. It has been found effective because it can reduce the cravings and blocks the high given by the drug. 

Treatment Approaches 

Medication treatment coupled with counseling are the basic approaches in substance abuse treatment, initiated by detoxification and followed by treatment and relapse prevention.

Inpatients who experience a relapse a return to prior stages of treatment may be necessary. Each patient gets customized treatment, all tailored according to his or her specific medical and mental needs.

Basis for Effective Substance Abuse Treatment  

For treatment to be effective, it must be tailored to the needs of the person and must be readily available. Ongoing assessment of the treatment plan is needed in order for it to adapt to ongoing changes in the person. Every treatment plan must have counseling and behavioral therapies which are important components in any treatment, along with constant monitoring of the patient for possible ongoing drug use. Finally, an effective treatment does not have to start with a voluntary admission. Family members and the courts can order a person to seek help when this has been determined to be the best option.

Goals of Substance Abuse Treatment

Treatment for drug abuse comes with immediate and long-term goals. The long-term goal of drug treatment is for the individual to achieve lasting abstinence from the drug. Short-term goals include a reduction in the level of drug or alcohol abuse, improvement in the patient's ability to function and to reduce the physical, mental and social consequences of the substance addiction.