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Professional support needed to break addictive cycle

There is a wealth of treatment available for drug addiction, and it can be confusing to know the best way forwards. This article aims to provide a brief overview of literature that has helped to decipher this problem.

Leshner (1999) noted that in order to be able to effectively treat an addiction, it is important that we understand its nature. In most cases, people initially choose to take a potentially addictive drug. However, through repeated episodes of drug taking, this voluntary behaviour becomes involuntary, and the drug seeking behaviour is driven by an uncontrollable impulse. Often, this is the area of addiction that needs to be addressed most intensively because it can be responsible for reoccurring treatment episodes at rehabs. Addiction is a disease of the brain as this compulsion is caused by severe changes in brain function, however social and behavioural aspects also play a significant part.

Once an addictive cycle has started Leshner (1999) noted that it can be very difficult to stop it without professional support. This support usually consists of many different parts, and the most effective treatment will be tailored towards an individual’s needs. Treatment can be delivered on a community basis or at residential rehabs in UK locations, both of which can have positive outcomes. However, the National Treatment Outcomes Research Study (NTORS) details that residential rehabs UK based or otherwise are the most effective form of treatment.

Treatments for drug addiction tend to be based on scientific modalities, and will include other core components. Most treatments include behavioural therapies and medication, and the most effective treatments will use a combination of both. It is also important that people do not view detox – ridding the body of the substance – as the be all and end all of necessary treatment. Leshner (1999) looks at this as the first step in a treatment programme that should otherwise be comprehensive and multi-dimensional.

Essentially, because of the pervasiveness of an addiction, people need to receive continuous support in order to remain abstinent. Treatment programmes that provide this type of support, and also help in other areas (e.g. family therapy, social and legal services), are likely to give people the best chance of a successful outcome.

 References

Leshner, A. (1999). Science-based views of drug addiction and its treatment. Journal of American Medical Association, 282 (14), 1314-1316.

NTORS The National Treatment Outcome Research Study: Summary of the project, the clients, and preliminary findings: First Bulletin. (1996). Gossop, M., Marsden, J., Stewart, D., Edwards, C., Lehmann, P., Wilson, A., & Segar, G. Department of Health: London.

Published by on 25/01/2012.

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