Addiction
Treatment » Drug Rehab
Drug Rehab
By: Jason Gluckman
A Drug is any substance that is taken to
suppress an unwanted condition. Extremely chronic or habitual
use of such substances to alter states of mind or body, other
than for a medically wanted purpose, is called drug abuse.
The inappropriate use of drugs is drug abuse.
There are many illegal drugs on the market, which are potential
sources of drug addiction. These may be classified into Narcotics,
Depressants, sedatives, stimulants and steroids.
All kinds of drugs can be abused, including
illegal drugs (Cocaine, heroin), prescription drugs (tranquilizers
or pain killers) and off-the-shelf medicines like cough mixtures.
Anabolic steroids are abused by athletes
and sportsmen to build up their bodies. Nicotine in cigarettes
and caffeine in coffee can be abused. Narcotics include morphine,
opium, heroin and methadone.
Depressants are alcohol, barbiturates and
sedatives.
Stimulants are drugs such as Cocaine, and
amphetamines, hallucinogens and marijuana.
An individual is said to be addicted when
he becomes physically and mentally dependent on any of these
drugs and experiences withdrawal symptoms when the drug usage
is stopped or reduced.
Drug Rehab is the umbrella term given to
the process of medical and psychotherapeutic treatment for
abusers of illegal and prescription drugs. Most Drug Rehab
programs teach patients to interact in a drug-free environment.
They are asked to avoid the company of others substance abusers.
Drug Rehab is sometimes a part of the criminal
justice system. Persons convicted of minor drug offenses are
sometimes sent to Rehab centers instead of prison. The treatment
of drug addicts has two major areas--behavioral therapies
and medical therapies. Behavioral therapy includes counseling
and family support, and medical therapy is administering certain
drugs to counteract withdrawal symptoms.
The drug treatment program consists of different
methods according to the needs of different persons. The first
step is Detoxification, when the individual is systematically
withdrawn from addictive drugs, overseen by a doctor who takes
care of the physiological effects. After this there is a choice
of various programs according to the severity of the problem.
An outpatient drug-free treatment program
consists of individual and group counseling and no medication.
Short-term residential programs have a 3-6 week inpatient
treatment that resembles the 12-step program of groups like
Narcotics Anonymous. After this, the patient joins an outpatient
program or a self-help group.
Therapeutic communities provide 24-hour
care in a non-hospital setting. Patients stay for 6-12 months
in a highly structured program. They are usually long-term
addicts with highly impaired social functioning. There are
also Maintenance programs for certain drugs like heroin to
stop withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and use alternate drug
(methadone) therapy.
In sum, Drug Rehab must aim at rebuilding
the life of the drug addict. This is possible only by educating
the addict and his family through psychotherapy. Through Drug
Rehab programs tailored to their needs, drug abusers can learn
to control their conditions and live normal, productive lives.
About the author: Rehab
provides detailed information on rehab, alcohol rehab, cardiac
rehab, drug rehab and more. Rehab is affiliated with Alcohol
Rehabilitation Centers.
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