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Substance abuse treatment
Understanding The Various Drugs That Requite Substance Abuse Treatment
Substance abuse treatment options vary according to the type of drug that
a person is addicted to. Since each classification of drugs has a
different effect on the body, so must the treatment be different. To
better understand the reasons for the various types of treatment, it is
helpful to first understand the different types of drugs that are most
commonly abused and the effect they have on the body.
In general, there are three categories of drugs that a person may become
addicted to. These categories include:
· Stimulants
· Depressants
· Hallucinogens
Within each of these broad categories are a number of different drugs.
Though each drug within the categories shares similar qualities, there are
some differences among these drugs as well.
Stimulants and Substance Abuse Treatment Options
Stimulants are drugs that cause the central nervous system to work at a
faster rate. Drugs that fall into this category include:
· Anabolic steroids
· Alkyl Nitrites
· Caffeine
· Amphetamines
· Cocaine
· Crack
· Tobacco
· Ecstasy
Although each of these drugs is considered to be a stimulant, the program
utilized by the substance abuse treatment clinic will not necessarily be
the same for each of these drugs. In addition, some of these drugs are
considered to be more serious than others. For example, while caffeine is
classified within this category, it is not considered to be as serious of
a health threat as crack or ecstasy.
Those who abuse stimulants do so for a variety of reasons. Some people
begin to use these drugs in order to try to lose weight. Others begin
abusing these drugs in order to try to stay up later. This is particularly
common among college students that abuse stimulants to help them pull “all
nighters” so they can study for their exams. Yet others begin to abuse
stimulants in an attempt to feel more energized or to experience the
“high” these drugs provide.
Depressants and Substance Abuse Treatment Options
Depressants are drugs that cause the central nervous system to slow down.
Drugs that fall into this category include:
· Alcohol
· Benzodiazepines
· Barbiturates
· Solvents
· Heroin
Again, some of these drugs are more harmful than others and require
different forms of substance abuse treatment in order to kick the habit.
In addition, some of these drugs are illegal while others are perfectly
legal to use. Alcohol, for example, is illegal to purchase and to consume
if you are over the age of 21. Similarly, solvents such as aerosol cans,
paint, glue, and butane gas are legal to purchase, it is when addicts use
them in ways they were not intended that these items become dangerous.
Those who abuse depressants generally do so because they are experiencing
anxiety or stress and wish to find an “escape” from those feelings. Other
drugs, such as stimulants, are easily accessible to those that are young
and easily influenced. As a result, young people trying to seem “cool” for
their friends may experiment with these drugs. For these reasons and more,
the number of young people seeking substance abuse treatment programs
continues to grow.
Hallucinogens and Substance Abuse Treatment Options
Hallucinogens are drugs that alter the user’s perception of reality. In
some cases, this may also result in hallucinating, or seeing things that
are not really there. Drugs that fall in this category include:
· Cannabis
· LSD
· Magic mushrooms
As with the other categories of drugs, those that abuse hallucinogens do
so in order to find an escape. Some claim that abusing these drugs helps
them to see more clearly or to understand life at a deeper level.
Unfortunately, this is merely an excuse used by addicts in order to
justify their abuse and to continue putting off substance abuse treatment.
The Various Types of Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
Although all of these drugs can result in addiction and will require some
form of substance abuse treatment in order to beat the habit, some tend to
have a stronger grip on an addict. Heroin, for example, is well known for
being one of the most difficult drug addictions to overcome. In fact, many
people need to undergo methadone treatments in order to treat this
addiction.
With this form of substance abuse treatment, the addict takes methadone
rather than heroin. With methadone, the addict does not become intoxicated
or sedated in any way. At the same time, it helps to relieve the cravings
the addict will suffer through when no longer abusing heroin. Since
cravings are subsided, the addict is less likely to relapse. Similarly,
when taking methadone, the addict is unable to receive the same sense of
euphoria associated with taking the typical dose or heroin. By eliminating
the “feel good” factor, the addict is also less likely to abuse the drug.
While drug replacement therapy may be the most effective form of substance
abuse treatment for those that abuse heroin, that is not considered the
most effective option for other forms of addiction. In fact, for most
types of addiction, the most effective form of treatment is a combination
of detoxification, counseling, and behavior modification.
Through the detoxification, counseling, and behavior modification form of
substance abuse treatment, the addict goes “cold turkey” from using the
drug. During this period of time, he or she is closely monitored in order
to make sure no serious health issues develop as a result of the
withdrawal. During and after the detoxification process, the patient also
receives counseling. This counseling may be one-on-one as well as group
counseling.
During the one-on-one counseling session, the addict works on
understanding why he or she started to abuse drugs in the first place. The
addict also sets goals and works toward achieving them with the help of
the counselor. In group counseling, the addict joins counseling sessions
with other addicts and gains strength and support from others that they
can relate to because they are going through the same process.
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