Drug addiction is a plague that poisons many lives around the world. It is a disease in which a person becomes obsessed with certain legal or illegal drugs. There can be multiple reasons why a person resorts to such ways. It can be due to an act performed for the sake of social activity. Some people try to find refuge in the drugs from the miseries of life. Certain drugs that produce hallucinations are very appealing for such people. As a result, they negatively affect a person’s behavior.

However, all is not lost if you or your loved ones want to get back to normal life. The treatment of alcohol addiction and drug addiction may or may not lead to a complete cure. It depends upon the type and extent of addiction, but one can surely manage the addiction through various treatments and therapies.

Detoxification:

It is the first step to the road of recovery, which involves detoxifying the body from every trace of the toxic drug. However, be mindful that this step can be dangerous in some cases. You should not carry this out without professional help. Professionals will ensure a safe detoxification and help mitigate the withdrawal symptoms. Depending upon the intensity of the case, you should choose reasonable rehabilitation treatment programs. For example, if the diagnosis is complicated and has failed to respond to previous treatments, you can go for residential programs, which provide professional care all day long. The first step is the hardest to take. The residential treatment would give you or your loved ones an environment of recovery under the supervision of the medical staff for a strong foundation. This is also essential for preventing relapse during detoxification. The homey atmosphere for a prolonged stay of the patients is a bonus as well. You are all set to advance further in the treatment after the body is free from the drug.

Medications:

Medications are an essential tool to control the symptoms of withdrawal that are very strong initially. They help to prevent relapse by controlling cravings. For example, several medicines like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone treat opioid addiction. Methadone and buprenorphine act on the same brain receptors as opioids to relieve cravings. Naltrexone acts to block the effect of opioids on the brain receptors. It is also helpful in the treatment of alcohol addiction. Similarly, patches, gum, and spray are handy in nicotine replacement therapies. Acamprosate and disulfiram also relieve the symptoms of alcohol addiction by interfering with the breakdown of alcohol in the body.

Medical Devices:

In addition to the medications, several devices serve to aid the function of medications. For example, an electronic simulation device placed behind the ear stimulates brain nerves through electronic pulses. It is helpful in the treatment of opioid addiction by exciting the nerves and reducing the desire for the drug. This device is especially beneficial in the detox process to prevent relapse.

The audio-visual brain stimulation devices keep the patient emotionally and psychologically balanced. The audio-video signals modify the brain's electrical activity, which can have the same effect as that of a soothing sound of water or an exciting vision of fireworks.

Behavioral Therapies:

One cannot emphasize enough how the psychological inclination of a person towards a specific situation determines the direction of things. Behavioral therapies and medications can enhance each other’s effects. For this purpose, various behavioral therapies are conducted with the patients to change their approach towards life.  

·         Contingency Management Therapies: Working harder for an incentive is human nature. Contingency management therapies work in the same way. They give a reward for meeting a specific goal. For example, a patient can be allowed to take home methadone doses in return for providing a drug-free urine specimen. The patient would, therefore, abstain from drug use for this reward.

·         Cognitive Therapy aims to help the patients recognize, analyze, and avoid situations in which they can fall prey to drug use. It enables the understanding and identification of the consequences of drug use. It also includes skills training, in which an individual learns to recognize and respond to situations leading to drug use.

·         Motivational Therapies: Such therapies involve motivational interviewing for instilling an urge for change in the individual. These therapies curb pessimism with the hope to replace it with optimism.

·         Family and Couples Therapy: Involving a person's social circle can significantly impact the treatment. They treat the individual in the context of their social systems. It is a powerful tool for change and can help reduce illicit drug use.

·         Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy: One of the worst scenarios patients face is the feeling of self-defeat. This therapy helps to recognize and use the power of logical thinking. It enables to over-power the situation instead of being the victim of it.

Conclusion:

Where there is a will, there is a way. Though addiction is a dark pit, it is not without its ray of light. The first and foremost thing is to admit the problems caused by drug usage. All the treatments will lose efficacy if a person is unwilling to stir a change. Once the realization about the situation's intensity dawns, there are diverse options available for the treatment. The outcome of the treatment strategies might be slow and may require patience. But they are worth the wait and will manifest themselves in the long run. The stronger the will, the clearer the path!