Treatment for substance abuse and dependence is a multidimensional approach, including medical care to manage withdrawal symptoms, behavioral therapy, family counseling, social skills training, and support groups. It is similar to other chronic conditions, such as heart disease, asthma or diabetes, which require changes in behavior for a long-term cure to occur.
Despite its complexity, addiction service is delivered in a planned system of care that moves individuals through various levels of treatment until they are able to live productively without using drugs or alcohol. The continuum begins with detoxification and withdrawal services, followed by intensive residential drug and alcohol treatment programs, then continuing outpatient and community-based drug and alcohol treatment programs.
Chemical dependency (CDU) is a disorder that causes compulsive and uncontrollable craving, seeking and use of substances (e.g., alcohol or drugs) that impede a person’s ability to function in a normal manner and interfere with their family and work life. It is a progressive and often fatal condition that requires long-term care and intervention.
The Meridian Addiction Services substance abuse treatment system includes many different types of facilities, each providing a unique array of services and approaches. Some are more comprehensive than others. They may include inpatient hospitalization, residential treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, or outpatient counseling.
Primary care clinicians who have patients with substance abuse or dependence disorders should be familiar with the specialized treatment resources available in their communities and be prepared to refer patients to these facilities if needed. They should also encourage patients to seek treatment, and schedule followup visits after a patient’s admission into a formal program to monitor progress and help prevent relapse.
Specialized chemical dependence treatment services are provided by knowledgeable health professionals, collaborating with criminal justice and mental health and welfare agencies. They also are provided by a variety of private and public organizations, and through many self-help groups.
Crisis Services for Detoxification and Withdrawal - Short-term, medically managed detoxification and withdrawal services are designed to minimize the physical symptoms of addiction and to promote a referral to long-term treatment. These services typically run three to five days and can be offered in a hospital or a community setting, usually outpatient.
Intensive residential treatment and outpatient programs for chemical dependence are based on behavioral and reality-oriented treatment strategies that emphasize disease modeling and stress the individual’s responsibility for his or her own recovery. They provide psychosocial evaluations and psychological testing, medical and psychiatric care, individual and group counseling, and participation in supportive groups such as Al-Anon, Adult Children of Alcoholics and other self-help groups.
Counseling and other behavioral therapies can address the specific problems that underlie addictive behaviors, such as maladaptive motivational learning and emotional dysfunction. They teach patients to develop skills to resist alcohol and other drug use, replace the misused substances with constructive and rewarding activities, and improve problem-solving abilities. These Addiction Services can also help individuals deal with stress and trauma and improve interpersonal relationships.
Family therapy focuses on improving family relationships and reestablishing healthy communication patterns. It is a component of many drug and alcohol treatment programs, but is particularly useful for families of addicts because it can address the broader issues that underlie an addicted person’s drug use, such as poor parenting or parental neglect. Studies have shown that family involvement in treatment can lead to long-term recovery.
If you want to know more about this topic, then click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction.