Discuss about the Rehabilitation of Heroin Drug Addicts.
Drug addiction is a relapsing brain disease that is chronic and is characterized by the need to look for and use drugs regardless of their harmful effects (“The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction: The Basics”, 2016). Substance abuse involves the introduction of drugs into the body. Therefore, the five primary methods of substance abuse include swallowing, smoking, snorting, suppositories, and injecting. The two main methods of addiction treatment are outpatient and inpatient treatment. These methods have various approaches that are used depending on the situation of the patients as well as the availability of the different resources that are necessary for the implementation of the programs. According to the Centers for Disease Control statics, more than a hundred people die to drugs in a day (“Drug Rehab Success Rates and Statistics”, N.D). The methods of heroin addiction treatment and the various approaches towards the rehabilitation of drug addicts will be discussed in this essay to help in the understanding of the various issues surrounding drug addiction and recovery.
The two primary methods for heroin abuse treatment are the behavioral and pharmacological treatment (“What are the treatments for heroin addiction?”, 2014). The pharmacological treatment involves the substitution of tapering methadone. In addition, α-2 Adrenergic agents can be used to substitute for antagonists when not available (Kleber, 2014). Although the withdrawals can be shortened by precipitating them with, the use if antagonists, studies show that it has safety issues and persisting symptoms (Kleber, 2014). The agonist maintenance therapies are essential since they lead to better results for heroin addicts especially when used with the residential therapeutic programs (Kleber, 2014; Patterson, N.D.)
Therapy is the second treatment that can be used to help heroin addicts recover from their addiction. According to Utley et al. (2013), there are five types of therapies that can be used to help the heroin addicts recover efficiently. The first one is the cognitive behavioral therapy that helps a patient to recognize unhealthy thoughts and behaviors that contribute to the use of heroin. The second one is contingency management that focuses on the provision of positive reinforcements to the patient to motivate them to abstain from heroin use. The third type of therapy is motivational interviewing in which the therapist helps the patient in the identification and overcoming of hesitation. The fourth type of treatment is the matrix model that combines the various therapies to maximize the success rate of the program. The final type of therapy is the multidimensional family therapy that helps in the improvement of family functioning (Utley et al., 2013).
Both the pharmacologic and treatment methods have individual programs that make them successful. An effective drug rehabilitation program must have several elements that will make the addiction treatment effective. Among the most important features that a drug rehabilitation program must have complete health evaluation, personalized treatment, counseling, and individual and group therapy (“Principles of Effective Treatment”, 2012). It is essential to note that the various methods of addiction treatment are equally important to guarantee positive results. The reason for this is that the different approaches complement each other making the success rate of the rehabilitation program higher. On the other hand, the success rates of the treatment methods are lower whenever the individual approaches are used independently.
The first minimum requirement of an effective treatment program is complete health evaluation. The assessment requires psychological interventions that are regarded as the central part of the individual psychotherapy in the rehabilitation counseling of the patients that are drug-dependent during the maintenance treatment of methadone in community programs (Popescu et al., 2014). Besides, it is essential that the need for psychological counseling is established since some patients require an extensive help to restore order to their lives. The requirement also involves behavior therapy, which is critical because it enhances interpersonal relationships as well the availability of individuals to work in both the family and community levels.
The second minimum requirement of an effective treatment program is the personalized treatment that focuses on tailor-made care for people. It is essential since it helps the caregivers in the identification of key changes that can be made to ensure that reasonable progress is realized the epidemiological key figures. Studies show that it is easier to understand the effects of the intended treatment when the variables of a sub-group are given a more precise look (Stel, 2015). Besides, it helps to identify the specific needs of an individual thus avoiding chances of missing the point and choosing cheaper procedures that are ineffective.
The third requirement for an effective treatment program is counseling. Counseling can be done using either of the three available options that include individual counseling, group counseling, and family counseling. The various types are critical and should be utilized during the treatment to ensure that patients recover fully and efficiently (“Drug Addiction – Common Types of Drug Addiction – Symptoms of Drug Abuse”, N.D). The reason for this is that the individual counseling helps to identify the primary cause of the addiction and the development of life strategies that can contribute to improving sobriety. In addition, the group advice allows individuals to share stories and support with other recovering addicts (Marsh et al., 2007). On the other hand, the family counseling helps in the mending of the broken bonds within the family thus assist the patients to recover fast.
The fourth primary requirement to an effective treatment program is individual and group therapy. The different therapeutic measures focus on individual members since they can influence and be influenced by the group they are born into. However, the group therapy is a powerful therapeutic tool since groups always have several rewarding benefits (“1 Groups and Substance Abuse Treatment”, 2005). For instance, the individuals within the groups can reduce chances of isolations and can witness the recovery of other members of the groups thus encouraging them to continue with the treatment program. Besides, groups are appropriate for treating issues that usually accompany drug abuse including isolation, depression, and shame (“1 Groups and Substance Abuse Treatment”, 2005).
However, it is critical to note that the most efficient heroin addiction treatment program is one that utilizes both the pharmacologic and behavioral therapy options. In addition, the treatments success rate can be maximized by using the inpatient method. The reason for this is that the programs within the inpatient and residential treatment offer structure and safety (Utley et al., 2013). In addition, the patients are provided with comfort and security whenever health complications arise because they are monitored all the times in the inpatient rehabs and inpatient detox. Besides, the inpatient rehabs limit temptations from outside thus ensuring that the patients focus on getting healthy. Furthermore, the inpatient treatment facilities do not have to be concerned with relapse since the environment is drug-free for both the detox and treatment of the patients.
There are no standardized ways to measure the success of addiction treatment programs. However, several people suggest that success rate indicators for the rehabilitation program include the completion of the program, rates of sobriety rates after treatment, interviews if the clients, and internal studies (“Drug Rehab Success Rates and Statistics”, N.D). Although the various measures can be used to attempt to justify the success of the programs, the contention over the real measure of success will never end. As a result, it is not possible to set the duration that will mark a successful recovery method. For instance, some centers consider completion of the program as the measure of the success rate of the program (“Drug Rehab Success Rates and Statistics”, N.D).
Although it is not easy to settle on the best measure of addiction treatment success rate, it is possible to focus on certain actions that can promote the use of the programs. Besides, the high incidence of the utilization of the various treatment programs can be translated to increased success rates of the programs. Therefore, the success rate of the treatment options can be improved by acknowledging both the individual and program factors (“What helps people stay in treatment?”, 2012). Among the different factors that should be considered include motivation, support from friends and family, and pressure from other institutions such as criminal justice and child protection services. Concerning the program, the clinicians have to build a positive therapeutic relationship with their patients to ensure they embrace the program fully.
Drug addiction is the effect of substance abuse that makes an individual dependent on the drugs. The drugs can be abused through various methods including injection, snorting, smoking, swallowing, and suppositories. The two primary methods of addiction treatment are outpatient and inpatient. Both the methods have several approaches that are critical in helping to realize success in the fight against drug addictions. The various methods include complete health evaluation, personalized treatment, counseling, and individual and group therapy. Although the two primary methods may use the different approaches, the inpatient methods are the most efficient way of drug addiction treatment. There are no clear measures for success rates of addiction treatment program. However, some centers use distinct perspectives to measure their success rates. They include completion of the program, rates of sobriety rates after treatment, interviews if the clients, and internal studies. Center can also acknowledge both the individual and program factors to increase the success rates of the various treatment programs.
References
Groups and Substance Abuse Treatment. (2005). National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved 8 January 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64223/
Drug Addiction – Common Types of Drug Addiction – Symptoms of Drug Abuse. (N.D). Drugabuse.net. Retrieved 8 January 2017, from https://www.drugabuse.net/drug-addiction/
Drug Rehab Success Rates and Statistics. (N.D). American Addiction Centers. Retrieved 8 January 2017, from https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/success-rates-and-statistics/
Marsh, A., Dale, A., & Willis, L. (2007). A Counsellor’s Guide to Working with Alcohol and Drug Users (2nd ed.). Drug and Alcohol Office. Retrieved from https://www.dao.health.wa.gov.au/vsu/resources/www.dao.health.wa.gov.au/Counsellors%20guide%20to%20working%20with%20alcohol%20and%20drug%20users.pdf
Patterson, E. (N.D). Inpatient Treatment. DrugAbuse.com. Retrieved 8 January 2017, from https://drugabuse.com/library/inpatient-treatment/
Popescu, G., Negrei, C., B?l?l?u, D., Ciobanu, A., & Baconi, D. (N.D). The relevance of the psychological evaluation in drug dependence. PubMed Central (PMC). Retrieved 8 January 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4391414/
Principles of Effective Treatment. (2012). Drugabuse.gov. Retrieved 8 January 2017, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/principles-effective-treatment
Stel, J. (2015). Precision in Addiction Care: Does It Make a Difference?. PubMed Central (PMC). Retrieved 8 January 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4654192/
The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction: The Basics. (2016). Drugabuse.gov. Retrieved 8 January 2017, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/media-guide/science-drug-abuse-addiction-basics
Utley, T., Milios, R., Skelly, S., & Hovitz, H. (2013). Choosing Inpatient Rehab vs. Outpatient Rehabilitation. Recovery.org. Retrieved 8 January 2017, from https://www.recovery.org/topics/choosing-inpatient-rehab-vs-outpatient-rehabilitation/
What are the treatments for heroin addiction?. (2014). Drugabuse.gov. Retrieved 9 January 2017, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-treatments-heroin-addiction
What helps people stay in treatment?. (2012). Drugabuse.gov. Retrieved 8 January 2017, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/what-helps-people-stay-in-treatment
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