Drug addiction is periodic or permanent dependency on the drug. Characteristics of drug addiction includes an overpowering desire to continue taking the drug and to obtain it by any means, tendency to increase the dose, a psychic and generally a physical dependance on the effects of the drug and detrimental effects on the individual and on society.
Giving treatment for the drug addicts is a complex process and the treatment should be individualized as no single treatment is suitable for everyone. The treatment also needs to address other problems along with the addiction. Treatment plan must be assessed continually and modified as a person’s condition changes. Treatment should be a continuous process and it requires adequate amount of time to get results. Researches say that, for most patients, significant improvement generally begins about three months into treatment. Long with treatment the drug abusers also requires support from the friends and family members. During treatment individuals must be evaluated for containing diseases like AIDS, hepatitis and tuberculosis.
- Medical detoxification is required for severe alcohol drug addictions and it is the first stage of addiction treatment. This alone is rarely sufficient to help people with addictions in the long term and when combined with other methods one can get better results.
- Behavior change is the most important for effectively treating the addiction and some times this requires counseling or behavior modification treatment.
- Some types of drug addiction can be cured by medication along with counseling and other behavioral therapies.
- Family therapy is also important especially for adults and involvement of family member in an individual’s treatment program can strengthen and extend the benefits of the program.
The treatment for addiction should be designed in such a way, that it is very effective in making the individual getting rid of the addiction. It would be better if it is more friendly to the abuser.