Welcome to Drug and Alcohol Treatment
| ||
What Is Drug Addiction Article
This is a selection made from among articles on What Is Drug Addiction. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Why 12 steps isn't enough in drug rehab
from: Addiction is a very tricky thing, and that's an understatement! We don’t really understand how it manifests in the brain, and we have therapies and programs of only limited value against future use and abuse.Yet although the therapies we have remain imperfect, they do work for a lot of people, and they do offer the best chance anyone has at sobriety.
But since we don’t yet really understand addiction, don’t yet know exactly how to fight it, and have not yet developed that magic bullet solution of a pill, we need to rely on what works best, and what has proven helpful to millions of addicts throughout the world.
What works for some, doesn't for others
The problem is that what works very well for one does very little for another, and although many people find sobriety and salvation in 12 steps programs such as AA or NA, an equally many people find little of value from the gospel of 12 steps group meetings.
This can be looked at as both a problem, but also an opportunity, and although what helps one won’t help another, we do currently have a number of proven effective therapies and interventions against addiction. And if one doesn’t work, you just need to try another.
No rehab should offer only one form of therapy
This is why drug and alcohol rehabs that concentrate exclusively on one type of therapy, do a disservice to patients in their care. Better rehab programs know well that everyone responds differently to different therapies of intervention, and as such will offer a varied and comprehensive course of treatment, using the best of a number of different strategies to sobriety.
12 steps style meetings are a valuable addition to the rehab experience, but they should not be the only segment of programming and in addition to group meetings, the rehab should run cognitive behavioral classes and therapy, educational seminars against addiction, individual therapy with a trained therapist or psychologist and peripheral programs such as yoga, karate, nutrition and mediation.
Cast a wide net
By offering a very wide net of therapy, the odds are far greater that each participant in a rehab will find something offered personally relevant and resonant, and gain life skills towards relapse avoidance and long term sobriety.
Most better rehabs will offer a wide variety of programming, and you should be wary of a facility that concentrates exclusively on one form of therapy. Nothing works for everyone, and rehabs do not waste time with programming that does not offer beneficial tools toward sobriety.
When selecting a rehab, make sure to inquire about the different types of therapy and peripheral programming offered, and try to select a facility that seems to offer wide, quality and comprehensive therapy and education. It's the best chance to sobriety.
About Author
Christian shire is an addictions professional writing about all matters pertaining to treatment and recovery. If you need help making a decision about treatment visit Choosehelp to read more.
Read the daily addiction blog troubleblog for stories of recovery and the latest news on treatment options.
Source: ArticleTrader.com
What Is Drug Addiction Specific links
What Is Drug Addiction News
Treat drug use as health issue: coalition - Vancouver Sun
Treat drug use as health issue: coalition Vancouver Sun Canada needs to give up the war on drugs and start treating drug use as a health and social issue rather than something for the criminal justice system to deal with, according to a policy group that was formally launched Thursday. |
Drug addict who dealt cocaine in broad daylight in Huddersfield jailed - Huddersfield Examiner
Drug addict who dealt cocaine in broad daylight in Huddersfield jailed Huddersfield Examiner A LONG-standing drug addict who was seen dealing cocaine and cannabis in broad daylight in a Huddersfield street has been jailed for a total of 27 months. Gurjpal Singh, 29, had driven to Bankfield Road in his brother's Citroen Saxo, ... |
Cannabis Use Doubles Risk for Serious Road Accidents - Medscape
 The Guardian | Cannabis Use Doubles Risk for Serious Road Accidents Medscape Furthermore, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction found that between 0.3% and 7.4% of drivers tested positive for cannabis from roadside surveys in the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, the United States, ... Cannabis drivers 'twice as likely to cause car crash' Medical Marijuana Laws Send 'the Wrong Message': Don't Smoke Pot, Kids! Smoke and Mirrors: Driving While on Marijuana Doubles One's Chances of a ... |
Ex-Addicts Staying Sober Through Sport - KGTV San Diego
Ex-Addicts Staying Sober Through Sport KGTV San Diego Most join the group because they've struggled with drug or alcohol addiction. "Life should be better once you get sober," said Strode, 38. "(We want to) help people build a new life, a new self-image and have fun without getting high. |
Arkansas drug court facing funding cuts - Today's THV
 Today's THV | Arkansas drug court facing funding cuts Today's THV LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -Most counties in Arkansas have a drug court. It's a three-year, five-phase program designed to help clients fight drug addiction and become productive members of society. Successful completion of the program wipes the client's ... |
Largest addiction treatment facility in Central Texas says, 'No smoking' - Austin American-Statesman
 Austin American-Statesman | Largest addiction treatment facility in Central Texas says, 'No smoking' Austin American-Statesman By Mary Ann Roser The image of chain-smoking patients in treatment for drug addiction is no myth, but an Austin nonprofit hopes to make it history. Austin Recovery, the largest inpatient addiction treatment center in Central Texas and one of the ... |
Inspire Malibu's Drug Addiction Treatment Authority Dr. Akikur Mohammad ... - San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Inspire Malibu's Drug Addiction Treatment Authority Dr. Akikur Mohammad ... San Francisco Chronicle (press release) Cross addiction and addiction transference is nothing new to the addiction community; however, with the recent surge in bariatric procedures across the country, the number of post-bariatric patients entering drug addiction treatment for non food ... |
iHeal device aims to prevent substance abuse relapses - mobihealthnews
 mobihealthnews | iHeal device aims to prevent substance abuse relapses mobihealthnews A new device currently being developed by a team of academics here in Massachusetts aims to do the same thing for drug addiction relapses. After 30 days in a substance abuse clinic, can a remote monitoring device help patients once they re-enter the ... |
Commissioner seeks more for mental health - Norman Transcript
 SCVNEWS.com | Commissioner seeks more for mental health Norman Transcript About $36.5 million has been trimmed over the past three years from the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services' budget, forcing the elimination of behavioral health and substance abuse treatment units, Commissioner Terri White said. Okla. commissioner seeks more for mental health |
Drug addiction rehabs and ongoing treatment options - GroundReport
Drug addiction rehabs and ongoing treatment options GroundReport by Recovery Centers for Rehabilitation Center | Drug Rehabilitation Centers February 07, 2012 Many drug addiction rehab centers offer programs that show patients how to stay clean on a daily basis. At 12 Palms Recovery Center, patients can follow up ... Heroin Addiction Among Teens Rising in Local Pennsylvania Area Says ... |