Essay on "Addiction TX Detoxification Is Often the Shortest"

Essay 3 pages (1069 words) Sources: 1

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Addiction TX

Detoxification is often the shortest component in the treatment of addiction (McNeece & DiNitto, 2008). Detoxification consists of the physiological cleansing or removal of toxic substances from a person who is addicted by means of abstinence or with the assistance of medications. This typically involves the physical and psychological withdrawal from the substance that involves a return to homeostasis after becoming physically dependent on the substance. Detoxification is only a step in the process and is not curative. The recidivism rate of those individuals addicted to some type of substance only attending detoxification programs with no follow-up is nearly 100% (McNeece & DiNitto, 2008). However, detoxification is often a necessary first step for those individuals with serious physical addictions.

Intensive treatment for an addiction can be either performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Intensive treatment involves the person to attend a series of regularly scheduled sessions (typically a minimum of nine hours each week). The sessions can include individual and group therapy sessions, medical management and monitoring of the individual, close observation (constant observation in the case of inpatient recovery programs), and ongoing support from family and peers (McNeece & DiNitto, 2008). Those going through a detoxification treatment program typically are involved in intensive treatment programs.

Residential care involves keeping the addicted person on the facility all the time as opposed to outpatient intensive care where the individual can either go home or to a halfway house at the end of the day (McNeece & DiNitto, 2008). The research indicates that outpatient and inpatient or residential treatment programs are equally efficacious in treating addictions (McNeece & DiNitto, 2008). In addition, other than residential treatment programs keeping the patient for the entire duration of the treatment most residential treatment programs and outpatient treatment programs are very similar in their treatment approach and the techniques used to treat addiction.

Pharmacotherapy for addiction involves the use of medications to assist the person through various stages of recovery including detoxification, dealing with urges and cravings, helping to prevent relapse, and with psychiatric symptoms such as depression and anxiety (McNeece & DiNitto, 2008). A number of different medications can be used depending on the stage of recovery and substance involved (e.g., use of anxiolytic medications during alcohol withdrawal or the use of Antabuse to help prevent relapse). Medications used to deal with urges and relapse issues often have lesser efficacy than medications used to control or moderate physical symptoms of withdrawal. The major reason for this is that in the later stages of recovery the individual is often not under the strict supervision of physicians and therapists and can choose not to take the medication, whereas during detoxification withdrawal the patient is typically intensively supervised and is in quite a bit of physical discomfort.

The prevailing view on addiction these days is that addiction is a chronic brain disease and then aftercare often consists of some type of long-term or lifetime continuing supports (McNeece & DiNitto, 2008). Long-term programs such as 12-step programs offer addicted individuals a way to receive continuing support from others with the same problem as they do, develop a more healthy approach to life, and help them manage their stress. Stress is… READ MORE

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