
What Happens During Drug-Addiction Treatment?
- Group counseling. Group sessions are an integral part in treatment programs. Here, individuals share personal stories...
- Psychiatric evaluation. A psychiatrist treats individuals in rehab for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other...
- Individual counseling. One of the most effective parts of treatment is cognitive...
Full Answer
How is drug abuse and addiction treated?
In addition, most people with severe addiction abuse multiple drugs and require treatment for all substances abused. Treatment for drug abuse and addiction is delivered in many different settings using a variety of behavioral and pharmacological approaches.
What do you need to know about drug addiction?
Drug addiction (substance use disorder) 1 Diagnosis. Diagnosing drug addiction (substance use disorder) requires a thorough evaluation and often includes an assessment by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. 2 Treatment. ... 3 Coping and support. ... 4 Preparing for your appointment. ...
What is drug treatment and how does it work?
Drug treatment is intended to help addicted individuals stop compulsive drug seeking and use. Treatment can occur in a variety of settings, take many different forms, and last for different lengths of time.
What is drug addiction detox and how does it work?
While the overall objective of drug addiction detox works to help addicts break the body’s physical dependency on drugs, these programs also help a person work through the psychological hold drug addiction has on his or her life. Contact Detox.com to find drug addiction detox centers near you!

What are the steps usually involved in the treatment of Drug Abuse?
medication. medical devices and applications used to treat withdrawal symptoms or deliver skills training. evaluation and treatment for co-occurring mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. long-term follow-up to prevent relapse.
What is the most effective treatment for addiction?
According to American Addiction Centers, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a valuable treatment tool because it can be used for many different types of addiction including, but not limited to, food addiction, alcohol addiction, and prescription drug addiction.
What is the first step in the treatment process for addiction?
Detoxification is normally the first step in treatment. This involves clearing a substance from the body and limiting withdrawal reactions. In 80 percent of cases, a treatment clinic will use medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
What are the four steps involved in recovery from addiction?
The four stages of treatment are:Treatment initiation.Early abstinence.Maintaining abstinence.Advanced recovery.
Is treatment for drug dependence effective?
According to research that tracks individuals in treatment over extended periods, most people who get into and remain in treatment stop using drugs, decrease their criminal activity, and improve their occupational, social, and psychological functioning.
What makes a treatment effective?
3. Effective Treatment Attends to Multiple Needs of the Individual, not just his or her drug use: To be effective, treatment must address the individual's drug use and any associated medical, psychological, social, vocational, and legal problems.
What are the five stages of treatment?
Motivation for Recovery: Moving Through the 5 Stages of ChangeStage One: Precontemplation.Stage Two: Contemplation.Stage Three: Preparation.Stage Four: Action.Stage Five: Maintenance/Recovery.Addiction recovery that's built to last.
What are the 5 stages of recovery?
The five stages of addiction recovery are precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance....Read on to find out more about the various stages.Precontemplation Stage. ... Contemplation Stage. ... Preparation Stage. ... Action Stage. ... Maintenance Stage.
What's the first step in recovery?
The First Step Towards Addiction There are stages of addiction. The first step in addiction is denial. You may lie about using substances, how much or how often you use them, or the reasons why you are using them for loved ones. However, denial runs deeper than what you tell others.
What are the stages of rehab?
The 4 Stages of Physical Rehabilitation TreatmentThe Recovery Stage. The first stage of physical rehabilitation is the Recovery Stage. ... The Repair Stage. After the healing process has begun, the next step is to start recovering movement and mobility. ... The Strength Stage. ... The Function Stage.
What is the rehabilitation process?
Rehabilitation is the process of helping an individual achieve the highest level of function, independence, and quality of life possible. Rehabilitation does not reverse or undo the damage caused by disease or trauma, but rather helps restore the individual to optimal health, functioning, and well-being.
How long does it take for your body to get addicted to drugs?
It takes a couple of weeks to become physically dependent on an opioid, but that varies by individual. If you take an opioid for a day or two, it should not be a problem and, generally, you will not become addicted. However, some studies show even the first dose of an opioid can have physiological effects.
How long can an employee take for substance abuse treatment?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows employees to take up to 12 weeks per year of leave for treatment of medical conditions, including addiction.
What is detox in rehab?
Detox is often the first step in the rehab process. Many rehab programs offer supervised detox services for people withdrawing from a range of substances such as alcohol, sedatives, opioids and stimulants. During detox, medical doctors and nurses administer medications to ease withdrawal symptoms.
What is inpatient rehab?
Inpatient or residential rehab is an intensive form of addiction treatment where you remain at a facility for a period of time and participate in group, individual, and family therapy. Inpatient treatment may necessitate taking time off from work and/or school to live at the facility while you spend time working on your recovery.
How many hours of therapy does an outpatient rehab program offer?
Outpatient rehabs typically offer group and individual therapy for a few hours per week. Psychotherapy or counseling can be provided by a psychologist, social worker or counselor who specializes in addiction. Therapists usually see clients for 1 to 2 sessions per week.
How many times a day do you have to eat at rehab?
Meals are offered 3 times per day, and short breaks are given in between therapy sessions.
What is outpatient treatment?
Outpatient treatment offers people the ability to continue taking care of work, school, and other commitments during treatment.
How long does it take to get rehab?
Short inpatient rehab durations typically start at 28-30 days. Other programs offer 60 days of treatment, and some long-term facilities offer treatment for 90 days or longer. Some rehab programs offer a standardized program and require a minimum stay.
Do you feel high after stopping a drug?
Drugs have an effect on the body and stopping use will cease that effect. Not only will the patient not feel the high of the drug anymore , but their body will crave for the substance. This means that several harsh symptoms are bound to appear at first.
Is rehab a detox?
Despite what many people think, rehab is not only about detox. Therapy is certainly another huge part of addiction treatment. The patient needs to understand the addiction and both individual and group therapy are often the way.
Is it important to have supervision during treatment?
During any treatment, it is important to have some kind of supervision. No patient should be left all alone during this difficult time . That said, there are different ways in which someone can be able to undergo treatment. The main difference is whether to choose an outpatient or inpatient treatment.
How to get rid of addiction?
When you engage in unhealthy drug use, it can be easy to downplay or underestimate how much you use and your level of addiction. To get an accurate idea of which treatment may help, be honest with your doctor or other mental health professional.
What is the diagnosis of drug addiction?
Diagnosis. Diagnosing drug addiction (substance use disorder) requires a thorough evaluation and often includes an assessment by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Blood, urine or other lab tests are used to assess drug use, but they're not a diagnostic test for addiction.
How to get an independent perspective on addiction?
You can start by discussing your substance use with your primary doctor, or ask for a referral to a specialist in drug addiction, such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or a psychiatrist or psychologist.
How to deal with drug cravings?
The therapist or counselor can: Help you develop ways to cope with your drug cravings. Suggest strategies to avoid drugs and prevent relapse. Offer suggestions on how to deal with a relapse if it occurs .
Is there a cure for drug addiction?
Treatment. Although there's no cure for drug addiction, treatment options explained below can help you overcome an addiction and stay drug-free. Your treatment depends on the drug used and any related medical or mental health disorders you may have. Long-term follow-up is important to prevent relapse.
Is it safe to take withdrawal medication?
For some people, it may be safe to undergo withdrawal therapy on an outpatient basis. Others may need admission to a hospital or a residential treatment center. Withdrawal from different categories of drugs — such as depressants, stimulants or opioids — produces different side effects and requires different approaches.
Who can do behavior therapy?
As part of a drug treatment program, behavior therapy — a form of psychotherapy — can be done by a psychologist or psychiatrist, or you may receive counseling from a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Therapy and counseling may be done with an individual, a family or a group. The therapist or counselor can:
How does addiction affect the brain?
Most every type of addictive drug gains easy access to the brain’s chemical workings. Brain neurotransmitter chemicals regulate most every bodily function. This means, the slightest chemical imbalance can wreak havoc on any number of the body’s various processes.
Can drug abuse cause physical problems?
People with long histories of drug abuse often develop other psychological and/or physical problems as a result of chronic drug use. Any form of drug addiction can gradually wear away at the body’s defenses, weakening physical structures and interfering with essential bodily processes. Likewise, the effects of drug abuse on the brain’s chemical imbalance can easily predispose a person to developing psychological disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
Can you detox from a drug?
For people coming off chronic addiction problems, damage done to the brain’s chemical functions and structures makes it all but impossible for a person to make it through the detox stage, let alone maintain abstinence for any length of time. Drug addiction detox programs administer various medication therapies to help counteract the damaging effects of long-term drug use.
How does addiction affect your life?
Addiction can eventually affect all areas of life, from work to relationships to finances, causing deep and lasting damage. “When substance use disorder ("substance abuse" or "addiction") is not treated, it can lead to a snowball effect in one’s life, including increased health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities ...
What does it mean to not seek treatment for drug addiction?
Not seeking treatment for drug or alcohol addiction can mean a host of negative consequences. Seeking treatment for addiction can seem like a daunting task at first, but letting substance abuse go untreated can lead to a variety of negative consequences beyond just your health. Chat Now.
How do drugs affect the brain?
However, brain damage from drugs can often be reversed. Abstaining from the addictive substance for long periods of time while sticking to treatment can eventually repair brain function .
Is substance abuse a chronic disease?
Substance abuse is a chronic disease, and treating it like one can help with treatment. For instance, addiction can be a lifelong battle, and like other lifelong conditions, it requires a commitment to treatment and maintaining good health. “If [an addiction] goes untreated for a long period of time, there is typically relapse and progression ...

Diagnosis
- Diagnosing drug addiction (substance use disorder) requires a thorough evaluation and often includes an assessment by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Blood, urine or other lab tests are used to assess drug use, but they're not a diagnostic test for addiction. However, these tests may be used for monitoring treatment and recovery. For …
Treatment
- Although there's no cure for drug addiction, treatment options explained below can help you overcome an addiction and stay drug-free. Your treatment depends on the drug used and any related medical or mental health disorders you may have. Long-term follow-up is important to prevent relapse.
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Coping and Support
- Overcoming an addiction and staying drug-free require a persistent effort. Learning new coping skills and knowing where to find help are essential. Taking these actions can help: 1. See a licensed therapist or licensed drug and alcohol counselor.Drug addiction is linked to a number of problems that may be helped with therapy or counseling, includin...
Preparing For Your Appointment
- It may help to get an independent perspective from someone you trust and who knows you well. You can start by discussing your substance use with your primary doctor, or ask for a referral to a specialist in drug addiction, such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or a psychiatrist or psychologist. Take a relative or friend along. Here's some information to help you get ready for y…