How to End Substance Abuse and Addiction

Substance abuse and addiction are very serious problems facing society. Every year they destroy countless families and cause untold damage to communities. As serious as these problems are, however, there are ways to end a person’s substance abuse or addiction through treatment. It is important that people understand what treatment for these disorders is and how it can help end these epidemics.

What is Addiction Treatment

The first thing that you need to know when learning about addiction treatment is it is not a cure. Substance abuse and addiction are chronic mental conditions that have no real cure at this time. However, getting the right kind and amount of treatment can allow people to stop using drugs and remain drug free for the rest of their lives. The only treatments for these disorders that have been proven effective are behavioral therapies and counseling. While it is true that there are medications available to aid in the treatment process for some substance use disorders and addictions, they are not treatment by themselves.

Why is Treatment Necessary?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, recovering from substance abuse or addiction is not easy and requires long term or repeated care for sufferers to retake control of their lives. This is primarily due to the fact that substance abuse and addiction changes the way that the brain works, tricking the body into believing that having the chemical present is necessary. Treatment corrects this by:

• Removing the substance of abuse from the body and brain
• Reconditioning behaviors to avoid drug use and understand consequences
• Helping patients learn ways to deal with the triggers that started or furthered their drug use
• Teaching coping mechanisms for dealing with cravings
• Providing a support system so that help is available should a patient relapse

By doing these things, treatment allows people to end their substance abuse or addiction and retake their lives.

What Specific Treatments are Used?

All effective substance abuse and addiction treatment will incorporate various behavioral therapies and counseling approaches depending on the substance of abuse and the individual’s needs. These may include:

• Group counseling
• Contingency management therapy
• Individual counseling
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Family counseling
• 12-step facilitation therapy

Any or all of these approaches may be used depending on each individual situation. There may also be other approaches used if they are deemed by treatment professionals to provide the most help. It is also important to remember that while medications are sometimes used as part of treatment, they are not treatment by themselves and are not appropriate for every person or every addiction.

Where to Find Treatment

While it may seem daunting to look for treatment for substance abuse or addiction, it is relatively easy. There are many facilities across the country. Facilities like Florida rehab centers have:

• Professionally trained medical staff
• Certified counselors
• Experience in dealing with substance abuse and addiction
• Access to resources unavailable to others

The facilities that offer all of these benefits are best suited to ensure that someone with a substance abuse problem or addiction are able to stop using drugs and return to a normal life.

Recovering from substance abuse or addiction is a long and difficult process, but with the right help it is possible. No one should suffer the ravages of these terrible diseases. Seek help today, and begin the road to recovery.