Can You Tell Me About The Management Of Drug Addiction And How Addicts Can Be Rehabilitated?

Admission

Admission is necessary as the first step in the management of addiction.

Evaluation

After admission, the addict needs complete evaluation.  This is done by interviewing the patient as well his family members and close friends.  The evaluation is done for two purposes:
1. To find out the causes those have resulted in addiction.
2. To determine the degree of his motivation to quit drug.

Withdrawal

Immediate and complete withdrawal of drug results in extremely distressing and even dangerous withdrawal symptoms.  The drug should be, therefore, gradually withdrawn over a period of about 10 days or so.

Sometimes, the drug is substituted with another drug having similar effects but which is less harmful. This drug is then withdrawn gradually.

Management of Associated Problems

In case of any associated mental disorder, the treatment is started along with the withdrawal of drugs.

Rehabilitation

The patient should be placed on an active recreational program.  He should be encouraged to participate in group psychotherapy. He should receive emotional support from the hospital staff and the family members. Some insight into his problems is necessary so that he may be encouraged to seek and continue further psychotherapy following discharge from the hospital.  This rehabilitation is very essential to keep him away from drug after discharge.  Relapse rate is very high in addicts, especially among those who are not rehabilitated.

Addiction is resorting to self abuse and the help of unnecessary medication or intoxicating sources, to overcome certain self-determined 'impossible situations'. A person could be an addict of habit, medication or drugs and alcohol. The relief experienced is temporary and only indulged in as a 'get away' from the realities of life. While some indulge in such self-abuse in times when their financial or social standing is affected, some resort to the demeaning behavior to handle broken love affairs and yet some others, especially adolescents, to experiment.

Management of drug addiction is a strategy adopted by immediate society to help a person deal with the so called 'impossible situation' and provide all the external support for internal healing. There are a number of people dedicated to the cause and a number of institutions that operate free, to help in the rehabilitating process. The entire process is extremely painful to the person and family. Many addicts go through 'withdrawals', where the person's craving for the drug becomes acute and violent. Nevertheless, management of drug addiction can be successful. It takes immense patience and perseverance by both, the addict and his immediate social circle.

Management of drug addiction could be handled either by professionals at the different rehabilitation centers or by private counselors, depending on the extent of the indulgence and the mind-set of the individual. There are various tried and tested methods, tools and resources that are adopted, to deal with the self-abuse. The Center for Addiction Management could be consulted for additional help at their dedicated website: help@addictionmanagement.org