Drug abuse criteria include a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to significant impairment or distress and one or more of these symptoms: failure to fulfill major role obligations, substance use in dangerous situations, recurrent substance-related legal problems, or continued use despite the substance use creating social or interpersonal problems. Treatments for drug abuse depend on the severity of the problem and the psychological and lifestyle circumstances of the individual.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a component of almost any drug abuse treatment. While cognitive behavioral therapy is the most frequently recommended type of therapy for this issue, other types of therapy can also treat substance abuse effectively from a different perspective. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, psychotherapy helps people change their attitudes and behaviors and increases their coping skills to handle circumstances and triggers for drug use. Psychotherapy may happen in the context of outpatient or inpatient treatment or, in less severe cases, may comprise treatment on its own or with a 12-step program.
Twelve-Step Programs
While 12-step programs are designed to help addicts, many substance abusers find them very supportive as well. Addiction experts Darryl Inaba and William Cohen of the Haight Ashbury Dextox Clinic in San Francisco explain 12-step programs as engaging addicts at their level of addiction, breaking isolation and showing people that they are not alone. Twelve-step groups see substance abuse and addiction as a lifelong issue requiring lifelong support. People entering a 12-step program choose a sponsor to help them in their process and work through the 12 steps of recovery at their own pace.
Outpatient Treatment
Many substance abusers require more intensive treatment than 12-step programs and psychotherapy. Outpatient treatment, sometimes called partial hospitalization, supports substance abusers in a structured environment that usually includes individual and group counseling, medical services, and education. People in partial hospitalization continue living at home but make a commitment to complete the course of outpatient treatment.
Residential Treatment
The most intensive method of drug abuse treatment, residential treatment programs very in length from seven days to three years. They may include detoxification and other medical and psychiatric treatment. Residential treatment takes the substance abuser out of his environment and provides extensive structure and support in creating a sober life. Longer residential treatment programs begin quite intensively, and progress to less structured but still supportive group living. They include group therapy, individual therapy, education, 12-step groups and other modalities. Dual diagnosis treatment programs treat drug abuse or addiction along with a co-occurring psychiatric diagnosis.
References
- "Uppers, Downers, All-Arounders"; Darryl Inaba and William Cohen; 2000
- National Insitute on Drug Addiction: Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment
