"Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing" defines drug abuse as the use of drugs in spite of recurring and significant harmful consequences. Often, drug abuse occurs as the result of physical or psychological addiction to the substance. The reasons for drug abuse remain varied but most abusers eventually desire to stop using drugs. Those who struggle with drug abuse have many resources available to them assist in this process.
Educational Information
The first step to healing always involves becoming educated on the illness of addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration publishes dozens of pamphlets designed to meet the needs of the sufferer. These resources also provide an excellent way to facilitate a conversation with a friend or loved one who abuses drugs. Most of these pamphlets are available free of charge.
Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous is a self-help organization for people who wish to recover from addiction to any type of drugs. Meetings are held weekly or more often and the participants discuss issues relevant to abstinence and encourage each other to abstain from drugs "one day at a time." Other recovering drug addicts encourage, but don't participants to embark on a twelve-step program that has helped many of them abstain from drugs on a long-term basis. People who live in remote areas without a Narcotics Anonymous group often attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings instead. There is no charge for attending these meetings. Narcotics Anonymous also offers literature relative to drug abuse and addiction.
Drug Abuse Treatment
Many people enter inpatient drug treatment each year to overcome addiction. Detoxification, usually a two- to five-day process, may become necessary if the individual has a physical addiction to the drug. The person then begins treatment, which typically consists of individual and group therapy for a period of around one month. Medications are often provided to help keep the patient calm as the psychological addiction is treated. Some addictions require long-term medication to ensure a safe medical recovery from the physical addiction. One advantage to inpatient treatment is that it removes the individual from his drug-using environment long enough for him to develop healthier coping mechanisms. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides a "Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator" to help find an appropriate treatment facility, depending on geographic location and specific needs.
References
- "Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Concepts of Care in Evidence-Based Practice;" Mary C. Townsend, M.N., A.P.R.N.; 2006
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Alcohol and Drug Information: Publications
- Narcotic Anonymous World Services
- Substance Abuser and Mental Health Services Administration: Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator
