Treatments for chronic drug addiction focus on helping addicted individuals stop seeking and using drugs. Short-term tactics are generally not effective, as addicts often experience occasional relapses, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, or NIDA. Instead, long-term processes that involve multiple interventions and routine monitoring are the most practical.
Behavioral Therapies
Most people experience a certain amount of psychological stress related to family problems, work or illness. Chronically addicted people often use drugs as a coping mechanism, which provides a temporary escape from everyday issues. Behavioral therapy sessions, whether in social or private settings, teach addicts methods to manage life stresses without turning to drugs. Common tactics include motivation to participate in treatments, strategies for resisting cravings and relapse prevention techniques. The NIDA reports that behavioral therapies can help people improve communication, relationships and develop parenting skills.
Medication
Detoxification is a process that helps addicts stop taking drugs as quickly and safely as possible. For chronically addicted people, detoxification in a hospital or treatment center is often essential. Gradually reducing the amount of drugs used may help, but--depending on an addict's level of addiction--medications may be necessary to help withdrawal from drugs. Methadone, an artificial opiate, is a common substitute for harder drugs with more severe side effects, such as heroin, according to MayoClinic.com. Those with underlying medical conditions, such as depression or anxiety disorders, often require psychoactive medications, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety agents.
Combination Therapies
Because addiction is both a mental and physical problem, combination treatments for chronic drug addiction involve several approaches that help with the mental and physical aspects of addiction. Plans may be tailored to meet the patient's individual needs, focusing on specifics, such as race, age, gender, culture and medical history. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, 12-step programs and behavioral-couples therapy are examples of programs that can be combined with medications.
