Substance Use Disorder Treatment
For the many people who suffer from substance use disorders, treatment might seem like a terrifying step to make. Drugs and substance abuse can become a crutch that people use for their mental health. Similar to someone who has lost the function of their leg, losing control of one’s mind and impulses can be terrifying. Their drug use starts impairing their functioning mentally and socially. For the millions of people who experience the effects of drug abuse and addiction, treatment might seem like a daunting topic. There are many scientifically proven methods to help treat substance use disorders and help individuals return to their lives, families, work, and most importantly, to themselves.
Inpatient and Outpatient Treatments
There are many types of counseling, inpatient-outpatient treatments available for those struggling with substance use; there are many options for people to choose from when it comes to forms of treatment. There are therapeutic communities for inpatient treatment, where members live at a treatment facility for 6-12 months where the staff are dedicated to acclimating individuals into a drug-free lifestyle. There are also shorter term residential treatments, which focus on the process of detoxification and then transition into treatments like counseling and community-based treatment groups. There are also outpatient treatments that begin with frequent visits and sessions with a therapist, with a few visits every week, which become less frequent as the patient starts showing signs of improvement. There are all sorts of therapies available to treat substance use disorder from behavioral therapy to group therapy; its possible for everyone who is suffering to find something that works for them.
Usage of Medications
Often, the first step for people in recovery is to completely detoxify from the substance that they are addicted to. For many this can be debilitating due to the addictive properties of certain substances, but there are medications that can be used to combat the withdrawal symptoms. Medication can be helpful in treatment and reduce the likelihood of relapses, especially among opioid use disorders. For tobacco use disorder, there are replacement medications that can reduce the withdrawal effects or medications, like varenicline, that can reduce cravings. Most medications are focused on reducing the addictive effects of these drugs and allowing people to slowly eliminate them.
Evaluation of Co-occurring issues
For many substance users, there are co-occurring mental health issues or the use of multiple drugs. In this case, all of the substances that the individual is having problems with will have to be treated. Mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or other disorders will also be diagnosed and treated during therapy and treatment sessions.
Preventing Relapse and Treating Relapse
In order to prevent relapses which are common among those recovering from addictions, there are drugs used to decrease cravings and help the brain return to its prior function. Such drugs exist for those recovering from addiction related to opioids, tobacco, and alcohol. There are also medications in production for helping with addictions to stimulants and cannabis. It is okay to be struggling with relapses, but it is imperative to seek help as soon as possible to resume treatment and find other methods of recovery.
If you are struggling with substance use disorder or know someone who might be struggling, please feel free to contact the professional team at Lifeline Connections for help! For an individual struggling from substance use disorder it can at first be difficult to find a treatment that suits you and your needs. Everyone’s brain chemistry is different, but it is possible to find a treatment that is right for you. You can visit Lifelineconnections.org or call 360.397.8246 for more information.
