Drug addiction treatment is a difficult and arduous process, but it is worth trying and persevering in treatment to free yourself from drug addiction. The therapy is selected depending on the type of substances taken and the condition of the addicted person. Read about drug addiction treatment methods available in Poland.

Usually treatment takes place in a special center that provides round-the-clock control and care for addicts, so that the effectiveness of treatment can be high.

Drug addiction treatmentis a long and very complex process. Due to the different methods and power of the effects of individual agents, as well as the severity of the addiction, drug addiction treatment may take various forms. It must be remembered that addiction affects many spheres of human life, so each area should be treated with a separate time. The support of relatives is extremely important in the treatment of drug addicts.

Drug addiction treatment consists of the following stages:

  • getting sober (detox),
  • sobriety,
  • relapse prevention,
  • work with family.

There is a general division into drug addiction treatment models:

  • The community and social rehabilitation model- consists in treatment in community-type treatment centers. The addicted person receives psychological support in treatment, also from other addicts. The basis is integration with addicts and overcoming the addiction together.
  • Medical model- treatment is based on pharmacological agents. The essence is treating withdrawal symptoms.
  • Spiritual model- treats an addiction as a disease of the soul, which is the result of not meeting basic human needs, such as closeness. During treatment, he primarily refers to spiritual values. The goal of therapy is to cleanse the soul and restore its balance.
  • Integral model- involves combining various forms of therapy and treatment methods. The addicted person receives medical and therapeutic help, and his treatment is comprehensive. In this case, support is also provided to the relatives of the patient. Thisit is this model in the treatment of addiction that is the most effective and most widely used.
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Symptoms of drug addiction

  • drug addicts can attract the attention of their loved ones with a sudden change - their appearance, a new group of friends, a new way of life;
  • addicts usually isolate themselves from their families, close in on themselves, have problems at work and school, destroy close relationships, and do not want to confide in.
  • Since getting drugs involves spending money, addicts may suddenly have financial difficulties.
  • long-term addiction causes somatic symptoms, such as weight loss, sleep problems, apathy, bouts of aggression, anxiety and phobias .

Treatment options for drug addiction

Drug addiction is a strong addiction, so it is difficult to expect that the patient will deal with this problem on his own. There are several methods of fighting drug addiction, although almost all of them are based on psychological therapy. A specialist decides which form of psychotherapy will be implemented in the treatment of an addict. Almost every treatment of drug addiction begins with the detoxification of the body, i.e. the elimination of all toxins from the addicted person's body that upset the biological balance.

  • Detox (drug detox)

For whom:addicted to highly toxic drugs, incl. opiates and derivatives, psychotropic drugs, amphetamines, ecstasy, GHB. This is an introduction to addiction treatment. Detoxification, i.e. removal of all toxins from the patient's body, usually takes place in a hospital detoxification ward, although it is possible to undergo home detoxification.

Thanks to detoxification, drug craving and side effects occurring after drug withdrawal, such as convulsions, attacks of pain, mental disorders, are minimized.

Drugs that detoxify the body are selected in accordance with the psychological condition of the addict and are to facilitate the patient's entry into the treatment process. Detoxification alone is not enough to break the addiction.

  • Short-term stationary treatment

For whom:for all drug addicts, although therapy may not be sufficient in long-term addiction to hard drugs.

Treatment is possible in all addiction treatment hospital wards. The method of treatment implements the assumptions of the theory of psychological mechanisms of addiction and clinical experiences. An addicted person goes to a ward where he is provided with 24/7 medical careabout 6-8 weeks. During this time, he can count on pharmacological and psychological help.

With strong and long-term addiction, it cannot be concluded that this form of treatment will be sufficient. Usually this is an introduction to further treatment with other therapies. It can be considered a kind of first aid in the fight against addiction.

  • Mid-term stationary treatment

For whom:for all addicts.

Medium-term treatment programs last from 6 to 8 months. They are run by various he alth care facilities. The therapy program is very intensive - it combines elements of group and individual therapy.

An addicted person stays in a closed facility during treatment, which enables him to develop new interests and passions. All this so that, after leaving the center, the patient would persist in abstinence and deal with new activities. Many centers also allow their patients to continue their school education.

Drug addiction is incurable and a crisis is enough to return to the addiction. So it is highly recommended for every addict to find a personal therapist.

  • Long-term stationary treatment

For whom:for strong and long-term addicts, mainly to hard drugs, for people who have failed treatment attempts.

The therapy lasts up to 2 years and is offered by various institutions specialized in helping drug addicts, e.g. created by dedicated foundations. Professional staff (therapists, psychologists) provide professional and comprehensive treatment of the drug addiction problem.

The therapy itself is based on the method of therapeutic communities. Throughout the course of treatment, the patient stays with other addicts who provide him with support and motivate each other. The aim of the therapy is to rebuild the patient's lost value system and enable him to fulfill himself in various assigned roles, hence the emphasis on the need to work in such a center. Addicts have their own responsibilities, which they are held accountable for during their stay, learn to function in the community, and are rewarded or punished. Despite the long stay in such a center, patients cannot feel completely cured. Another way to maintain abstinence is to regularly attend meetings of the so-called anonymous drug addicts.

  • Narcotics Anonymous Group

For whom:for all abstinence addicts, mainly those who have previously undergone stationary treatment.

This is a support group similar to AA groups. This form of treatment is based oncyclical meetings of people recovering from drug addiction. The goal is to give each other mutual support and motivation in abstinence. Usually, meetings are organized by public, church or social organizations - once a week. The therapist is the moderator of the meeting. During the meeting, addicts share their experiences and thoughts related to the addiction, and they mutually motivate each other to persevere in the decision.

  • Substitution therapy (drug substitution treatment)

For whom:for people strongly addicted to opiates (heroin and morphine.

Substitution therapy is based on administering to the addicted person drugs that act on receptors similar to opiate drugs, but with more beneficial effects for the body. This medication is usually methadone, long-acting morphine, codeine, or buprenorphine.

Therapy is possible only in specialized centers, where the patient will be under the close care of doctors. High efficiency speaks in favor of substitution therapy, which translates into the increasing popularity of this method. However, it is still controversial. Its opponents believe that it is not a treatment, but the conscious administration of drugs to an addicted person, although in a different, milder form.

Where to cure drug addiction?

There are many facilities that are authorized to provide specialist help to drug addicts. Institutions can be outpatient, detoxification or inpatient. The most important units in which an addicted person can seek help are:

  • specialist addiction treatment clinics,
  • associations for addicts,
  • psychiatric hospitals,
  • hospital detoxification units,
  • addiction therapy centers,
  • social rehabilitation centers,
  • Catholic associations for addicts,
  • Drug Addiction Societies,
  • psychiatric clinics,
  • drug addiction clinics,
  • therapeutic centers,
  • drug addiction treatment facilities,
  • diagnostic points,
  • sanitary and epidemiological stations.
Important

Getting treated doesn't solve your addiction problem. Even successfully completed long-term treatment in a closed center or many years of abstinence are not a guarantee of freedom from addiction. As it happens with any addiction, and here - you stay sick for life.

Drug addicts constantly have to control themselves so that no life situation would induce themto relapse into addiction. For this reason, it is good to stay under the care of an association or foundation as long as possible, which in times of crisis will provide the patient with support and motivation.

Category:

Psychology