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How is drug addiction treated?

On Behalf of | Aug 12, 2018 | Drug Crimes

If you or a loved one suffers from a drug addiction, you may be in search of treatment options. Receiving treatment for substance abuse in New York is essential to the long-term recovery process and may even be mandated if you’re facing legal reprisal because of your actions. The National Institute on Drug Abuse offers the following information on your treatment options if you suffer from a drug addiction.

Treatment Options

There are a number of different treatment options for people addicted to drugs. Treatment of underlying mental or emotional issues can be addressed by a mental health professional. Behavioral counseling is also beneficial for providing coping mechanisms to help deal with stress and negative feelings (which sometimes cause people to abuse substances). When it comes to preventing relapse, many people require ongoing counseling or participation in a support group.

How to Ensure Treatment Is Effective

There are a few principles that should be in place to ensure treatment is as effective as possible. Having easy access to proper treatment usually offers the best chance of a successful outcome. Treatment must also last enough to make a real impact on a person’s behavior. Additionally, all issues should be addressed during treatment. While dealing with drug addiction is the goal, there are often a lot of other problems that are contributing to substance abuse.

Medication Use

Medications are often a factor during the drug treatment process. For instance, depending on the substance the withdrawal process can be quite difficult or even life-threatening in some cases. Medication can be provided that eases symptoms, thereby allowing the person to progress through withdrawal with minimal discomfort. Medication can also help manage drug cravings. For instance, Methadone relieves cravings related to opioid use, while Naltrexone prevents alcohol relapse by blocking nerve receptors.