LGBT Drug Treatment Blog

Drug Treatment Programs

It’s likely that most people who abuse drugs, and are looking into finding a drug treatment program or drug rehabs, have heard of the twelve step program or other traditional methods of drug treatment. But many people who have tried these drug treatment programs will probably say that they don’t feel like these drug treatment works.

Ultimately, the final goal for drug addiction treatment is to allow a drug abuser to attain a lifelong ability to avoid drugs, but the pressing and immediate goals of any successful drug treatment is to taper off any drug abuse, develop and restore the drug abuser’s skill and ability to live and function without the use of drugs, and minimize any and all medically and socially related complications that may arise through ending the use of drugs and throughout the withdrawal process. Similar to those people who have diabetes or heart disease, people who have a drug addiction and are in drug treatment will need to adapt their behavior and lifestyle back to the way things used to be when they were living a much healthier lifestyle. If drug abuse has been a lifelong behavior, then drug treatment should aid them in becoming a productive and positive citizen, and give them the tools necessary to live in world that is not based on drug use, and socially unacceptable behavior.

In 2004, approximately 22.5 million Americans aged 12 or older needed treatment for substance (alcohol or illicit drug) abuse and addiction. Of these, only 3.8 million people were able to receive the drug treatment they needed. (Statistic from NSDUH 2004)

For those who have tried several different drug treatment programs, there is good news. Many researchers have come up with new alternative methods of drug treatment that have a much higher success rate. Many of the newer drug treatment centers have counselors who themselves were drug abusers. Most believe that when learning to live life without drugs, talking to someone who knows the life of a drug abuser is much easier to talk to than someone who just thinks they know. It’s hard to trust the advice of someone who can only claim to know what it’s like to be addicted to drugs.

The basis for effective drug treatment programs has been scientifically researched since the 1970s. This research has shown that drug treatment centers are aids for many people in helping them achieve change when it comes to their destructive behaviors, avoiding future relapses, and successfully allowing drug abusers to permanently remove themselves from the life they currently know that is filled with substance abuse and drug addiction. Drug treatment teaches recovery and though can end well for drug abusers, it is a long-term process. Drug treatment commonly requires numerous phases of treatment. Based on the scientific research that has been done on the effectiveness of drug treatment in drug abusers, key values have been pin-pointed that usually make up the foundation for any successful drug treatment program.

Essentials for a Quality Drug Treatment Center:
• No one drug treatment center is correct for all and every drug abuser
• A drug treatment center needs to be readily accessible
• Effective drug treatment centers pertains to several needs of the individual drug abuser, not just the drug addiction itself
• An individual’s drug treatment and attack plan must be reevaluated often and customized to meet the individual drug abuser’s ever-changing needs throughout the drug treatment and rehabilitation
• Remaining in a drug treatment program for a sufficient length of time is critical for lasting and effective drug treatment and rehabilitation
• Counseling and other behavioral therapies are significant parts of practically all successful drug treatments attacking addiction
• For some drug abusers with particular addiction, medications are sometimes needed, and are an important aspect of drug treatment, especially when the medication is in combination with counseling and other behavioral therapies
• People who have addictions or are abusing drugs and have previously existing mental disorders as well should have both disorders treated in an incorporated way. This is dual diagnosis treatment.
• While going through the withdrawal stage of drug treatment, medical supervision of the withdrawals I very important, as drug treatment is not as effective in eliminating long-term drug use when used alone
• Drug treatment does not need to be entered voluntarily to be effective in its outcome
• If there is a possibility of continuing drug use during treatment, it must be constantly monitored
• Drug treatment programs should offer health assessment for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases, and should coincide with counseling to help patients alter or adjust their behaviors that allowed themselves to put them, or others, at risk of infection
• Similar to other chronic or relapsing diseases, the recovery from drug addiction will usually be a long-term process, and in general requires multiple phases of drug treatment and continued care
Finding a drug treatment center with drug treatment that would cater to your specific needs is a process that may take some time. Often, it is someone close to the drug abuser who is the one looking into drug rehab centers and their drug treatments. Knowing which drug the individual is abusing is an important factor in which kind of treatment will be most effective.

Drug detoxification is only the first step in getting clean and sober. Learning how to reenter into the world as a contributing citizen is another important aspect that drug treatment centers are trying to incorporate into their drug programs. Most drug abusers live day to day with their lives revolving around lies and other dishonesties in order to satisfy their need for drugs. Learning that there is a more productive way to live to life is important in the recovery of drug abusers, and a greater possibility of life-long soberness.

Knowing yourself and what you feel you need to be clean and sober is also so important when beginning drug treatment. No one knows you like you do, and it’s important that you are ready to leave the life of a drug abuser. A drug treatment center can help you so much; you have to be ready and willing to do the rest. Accepting help from a drug treatment center may not be easy, but after time, most likely you will feel much happier with yourself as a productive part of your community.