A drug or alcohol addiction changes a person’s brain in fundamental ways. Because drugs and alcohol stimulate the brain’s reward system excessively, they completely alter its functions. As a result, people addicted to alcohol or drugs lose their self-control abilities, as well as their willpower and motivation. They also lose their ability to find joy or stimulation in activities unrelated to substance abuse.
Fortunately, researchers have found effective treatments that can help people recover from addiction and take back control of their lives. Read on to learn more.
Medications
Medications serve a critical role in the process of treating addiction. They can help manage and reduce withdrawal symptoms, thus minimizing the risk of relapse. Several medications have been shown to alleviate strong cravings, making relapse prevention easier. Moreover, medications are needed for treating co-occurring conditions experienced by people with substance abuse issues. Addiction often causes additional problems such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, and these conditions also require extensive treatment. Thus, medications can serve different functions in the recovery process.
Medical Detox
Although medications are an effective treatment method, there are many side effects associated with substance withdrawal. As a result, people battling addiction benefit immensely from undergoing medication-assisted treatment in a supervised environment. Being supervised by medical professionals in a safe, controlled environment can substantially minimize the risk of relapse or complications. Medical detoxification, or detox, is a combination of medication-assisted treatment and medical care. Detox is the most challenging stage of the recovery process because it grapples with the biochemical effects of addiction. To go through a detox process with minimal health consequences, go to a certified medical detox center like the Landmark Recovery Indianapolis, where medical professionals carefully monitor patients 24/7.
Therapy
Addiction can have many harmful effects on a person’s psychological well-being. Not only that it changes brain structures, but it can also trigger feelings of shame, inadequacy, and loneliness. In some cases, it affects self-esteem and social skills. Mental health plays a crucial role in addiction recovery, so therapy is one of the most powerful treatment paths for drug or alcohol addiction. Individual therapy includes sessions with trained therapists and psychiatrists, and it gives the patient the chance to examine the personal circumstances that may have led to addiction. Group therapy is also highly beneficial because it provides people battling addiction with a medium where they can share their experience and learn coping mechanisms. You can also learn more about addiction treatment in Texas.
Final Thoughts
After many decades of research, we understand how addiction works, and there are several treatment methods available today. However, it’s important to emphasize that they are more effective when combined in an extensive treatment plan rather than when considered separately. Because addiction causes harm at a physical, psychological, and behavioral level, an effective treatment plan must consider all these ramifications. Addiction recovery is thus a multi-layered process, so there isn’t one single solution or treatment method that works in every case.
Are you struggling with addiction? Use the information above to overcome this debilitating condition and regain control of your life.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
