Basis for Effective Treatment
October 2nd, 2009
Basis for Effective Treatment
Scientific research since the early 70’s shows that treatment can help most anyone change destructive behaviors, avoid usuing, and successfully remove themselves from a life of substance abuse and addiction. Recovery from %R_KEYWORD% is a difficult process and frequently requires multiple episodes of treatment. Based on this research, important principles have been identified that should form the basis of any successfultreatmentprogram:
* No single treatment is appropriate for all individuals.
* Treatment needs to be readily available.
* Effective treatment attends to multiple needs of the individual, not just his or her addiction.
* An individualsrecovery and services plan must be assessed often and modified to meet the persons changing needs.
* Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical for treatment effectiveness.
* Counseling and other behavioral therapies are important components of virtually all effective treatments for substance abuse.
* For certain types of disorders, prescription pills are an important element of treatment, especially when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies.
* Addicted or drug rehab individuals with coexisting mental disorders should have all disorders treated in an integrated way.
* Medical management of withdrawal syndrome is only one stage of addiction services and by itself does little to change long-term drug use.
* Treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective.
* Possible relapse during treatment must be monitored continuously.
* Treatment programs should provide assessment for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases, and should provide counseling to help patients modify or change behaviors that place themselves or loved ones at risk of infection.
* As is the case with other chronic, relapsing diseases, recovery from drug rehab can be a long-term process and typically requires multiple episodes of treatment, including “booster” sessions and other forms of continuing care.
