There are various forms of treatment for drug addiction depending upon the drug being used and the severity level of use, dependency and withdrawal risk. Most treatment is a combination of counseling and other interventions such as medications, detoxification, support group meetings and education. Many treatment programs include family or couples counseling. Some comprehensive treatment programs go further and include vocational, medical, legal and financial services. The most essential component of treatment, however, is the active participation of the patient in treatment.
Treating Drug Addiction
Step 1
Start with a comprehensive assessment by a professional. An assessment determines if the addiction is binge use, abuse or dependence on the drug. These are distinct categories and require different interventions. The American Society on Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has standardized these categories and recommended interventions. An assessment uses interviews and testing to determine the appropriate ASAM recommended intervention, which ranges from brief outpatient treatment to hospitalized detoxification care.
Step 2
Plan how to ensure the safety of the patient and others based upon the patient assessment and risk. This is necessarily a high priority. Safety planning addresses issues of drug use that may bring about harm. For example, immediately address the safety of children living in the home of an active user.
Step 3
Identify co-existing problems. A core component of drug treatment is to address psychiatric, medical, relational, environmental and stress-related problems that may interfere with drug treatment interventions.
Step 4
Construct a treatment plan using the results of the assessment and the identified co-existing problems. Match each problem to an intervention that can effectively address the problem. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to work well at changing irrational thinking patterns that support drug use. Also, methadone treatment has been shown to be effective in increasing active participation in other components of treatment.
Step 5
Create a relapse prevention plan to help the patient abstain from drug use based upon specific information obtained or discovered during the treatment phase. Relapse prevention plans must be personalized to fit the patient's specific needs. Otherwise, the plan lacks meaning and substance for the patient.
Step 6
Practice maintenance. This is mandatory. Drug addiction is considered a lifelong disorder. The patient must remain vigilant to the continuing risk of starting use again. Maintenance is usually achieved through active use of a support network, which typically includes a support group (such as Narcotic Anonymous) and family support.
Step 7
Expect to relapse. This will become a necessary component of treatment. Just as other chronic diseases and disorders require vigilance and willingness to get back into treatment, patients should plan on relapses and accept the likelihood of going back into treatment.
References
- Treating Alcohol and Drug Problems in Psychotherapy Practice: Doing What Works Arnold M. Washton, PhD & Joan E. Zweben PhD; 2008.
- Addiction Counseling Competencies; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); 2008.
- Learning the Language of Addiction Counseling; Geri Miller; 2004.
