One of the biggest problems looming in America is drug addiction. In recent years, the statistics on overdose deaths are staggering. According to the Center for Disease Control, 70,237 people died of a drug overdose in 2017. That number is steadily climbing and does not appear to be slowing down. When faced with a loved one's addiction, you want to be able to offer guidance and support. Knowing what treatment options exist for those in need can help you can become an ally.
What causes one person to become addicted and not another may never be truly known. However, scientists believe there are contributing factors both inside the body and outside from the environment. While researchers have discovered genetic predispositions of some people to become addicted more than others, there are still other influences that may come into play:
Before looking any further at options, you may want to make sure your loved one is on board with drug addiction treatment. While the initial detox stage may only last days, the fight against addiction is life-long and requires commitment and patience.
Addiction recovery is about learning why you became addicted, the triggers for addiction and tools to fight those triggers. People who can afford to stay at a residential treatment facility may participate in daily counseling sessions, group therapy, exercise and nutrition classes, meditation and spiritual time. Staying at a facility means the addict is taken out of the environment that fostered the addiction in the first place. There may be drug tests to ensure residents are not using, and visitors may be limited. Medication may be dispensed to help with the side effects of detoxing.
It may not be possible to live at a residential treatment facility to kick drug addiction. There may be outpatient treatment programs in your area that offer group therapy and counseling services. Kicking addiction is about resources and support, and outpatient treatment should help provide access to this.
You have probably heard of Alcoholics Anonymous, but there is also Narcotics Anonymous for those dealing with drug addiction. These groups allow addicts to get support from others who are also in various stages of detox and recovery. People usually reach out to get a sponsor, or someone who is a recovering addict, to provide support along the way. Some people attend NA meetings regularly after they come out of residential facilities and outpatient treatment as a way to stay on the right path.
Admitting there is a problem is the first and most critical step to getting help for kicking drug addiction, but it is only the beginning of the road to recovery. Knowing the options available can further the process and help get your loved one the care needed.
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