Substance Abuse Treatment

Illegal drugs have addictive properties that make it hard to stop abusing them. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse more than sixty percent of patients suffering from drug addiction relapse into abuse(National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2000). Depending on the type of illegal drug, the level of addictive

Substance Use Disorder’s (SUD) have become an escalating issue in the mental health field over the last few decades. The alarming incline to drug related and co-occurring maladaptive behaviors has created a dedicated science to better understand and define this problematic situation. Definition allows the therapeutic process to evolve around the symptomatic problem in order to deliver the hope of recovery. Social stigmas often view drug abuse and addiction as one in the same, but when viewed by the clinician, they take on an important role in defining treatment. Drug abuse is viewed as a reoccurring use of a substance outside of its intended purpose resulting in negative consequences. The use of drugs in any form, is often voluntary and has a high risk factor of developing dependency that leads to addiction. The American Society of Addiction Medicine has characterized addiction by the inability to consistently abstain, impaired behavior control, craving, diminished cognitive behavior in regards to relationships, and dysfunctional emotional response (ASAM, 2011). At this point, the progressive substance use cannot be changed without a course of treatment. The therapist’s subscription to a particular pharmacological theory, such as the disease model, behavioral/environmental model, or diathesis-stress model can determine the therapeutic approach.

Historically, substance abuse issues were thought of as a male problem (Bride 2011). Treatment center programs, methods and models are constructed around the male psychological needs rather than mix-gender needs. Literature shows that 12-step programs, therapy, individual counseling, group therapy and many other models provide to the increase in success stories however there is a lack in research focusing on the needs of the gender individual (Marsh, Cao, & Shin 2009). Substance abuse treatment facilities have utilized very similar models of treatment throughout history with very little change in the programs. Throughout the years, many more facilities have implemented different gender specific treatment programs but very little research has been conducted on these programs.

In the field of substance abuse treatment the needs of the LGBT addict is seriously lacking. Specifically, there is a significant void in knowledge about the special needs of the transgender population that is suffering from substance abuse. Primarily, substance abuse treatment works in the gender binary, as well as, traditional knowledge of what substance abuse looks like. It does not take into consideration substance abuse among transgender does not only include the typical opiates, barbiturates, amphetamines and such. Many times also transgender addict is also uses hormones and silicone materials that are purchased off the street. While wanting to focus on just the disease of addiction with the clientele most providers lack the knowledge

Science through history have implemented many effective solutions for drug addiction treatments. These are proved to be as effective as treatments for any other chronic medical conditions. Despite the variety and effectiveness of treatments available, many people nowadays believe that treatment is ineffective. Similar as the Puerto-Rican parents case their beliefs are due to unrealistic expectations. They would expect immediate change and wellness. Many persons go toward treating drug addiction with using more drugs that would reverse the effect of the first one, expecting quick response and when it is seen as ineffective or slow, they consider it as a failure. In fact, as we discussed previously that drug addiction and abuse overall are chronic disorders based on choices and decision making, they require long-term frequent repeated treatment sessions for the abstinence (4) of such disorders .

Addiction as a whole is an epidemic which has grown rapidly in recent years, 23.5 million Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs (HBO, USA Today, The Gallup Poll, 2006). Approximately 46 Americans died per day in 2010 from drug overdoses (Jones, 2013). Addiction in its many forms is a habitual and debilitating disease which affects not only the addict but the loved ones around them. There is no solid answer as to why an addict is an addict nor pertaining to the selection of who becomes addicted and who does not, however, scientists are making profound advancements. The vast majority of medical practitioners acknowledge that

Famous celebrity Lindsay Lohan was admitted to Malibu’s Promises Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Facility in the summer of 2007. When people hear about celebrities and their admittance to alcohol treatment facilities, people often wonder how the celebrity ended up in this position. Well in Lindsay Lohan’s case, her father was incarcerated for driving under the influence of alcohol. With this knowledge, it is easy to see how Lindsay would follow in the alcoholic footsteps of her father. To further demonstrate this inference, Lindsay wrote a song to her father, “Confessions of a Broken Heart”. This song addresses the troubled relationship she had with her father (Lindsay, 2007, pg.1). After the given examples, it is easy to see how an unstable home life could lead to alcoholism.

A person who has a substance abuse and a mental health disorder are identified as having a co-occurring disorder. Patients with substance use and mental health share common ground, because they hold the philosophy that treatment of chronic illness requires a long-term approach in which stabilization, education, and self-management are central (Drake, Mercer-McFadden, Mueser, McHugo, & Bond, 2016, p. 589). A counselor can help give resources (NA meetings being available in their community) as well as skills needed to help one not to relapse. Cognitive behavioral therapy, family counseling, and other therapy approaches can help people recovering from addiction stay clean ("counseling," 2017, para. 2). Psychotherapy can also treat the other

The biggest contribution of psychoanalytic theory to modern day substance abuse treatment it helps gives insight as the reason an individual uses a substance. An individual may not understand why he or she abuses substances, thus unconscious material can become more conscious. In this case, psychoanalytic theory in the modern day substance abuse treatment can help depict as to reasons why an individual may be in denial or rationalizing their substance use. However, individuals may not snap out of their denial or rationalizing without support and help due to the overpowering control of the ego. However, the use of harm reduction may be helpful for individuals that abuse substances in order to drill in the consequences of abusing substances and

Treating substance abuse can include multiple interventions. Common treatments include counseling in a group or individual, inpatient facilities, and medications. Since Alexia scored high on her ASI and CSSA she will be partaking in these treatments while attending an inpatient facility. Alexia will be undergoing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) while in treatment. It has been supported in many trails as a treatment for substance abuse. CBT will cause Alexia to focus on the immediate problem and work on the goals set (Brewer et al, 2009). She will be experiencing CBT during individual counseling and group sessions.

According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the compelling feature of substance use disorders is that the grouping of psychological feature, physiological and activity manifestations in a person who often uses mood/mind-altering substances in spite of issues related to their use (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 483). The DSM-5 identifies a very important characteristic proportionate to the severity of those disorders the underlying amendment in noesis that persists once detoxification leading to a detrimental sequence of actions such as relapse and cravings once the person is within the presence of feelings that are related to misusing drugs (American Psychiatrical

Drug and alcohol dependency not only affect the user, but also friends, family, coworkers and various other subgroups that the user is involved in. Drug intervention is a difficult process that involves understanding addiction. Many individuals believe that substance abuse is a choice and that they can stop at any time, but the user chooses not to. “In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will” (NCADD, 2015). The statement made by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence notes that it is a disease. This disease consumes them and simply choosing to stop may not be an option. An intervention is a long and involved process that needs the support of members in the user’s life to be effective. This paper will look at what an intervention is and the essential steps when attempting to hold an intervention for a substance abuse patient.

Evaluation of Pharmacological Treatment of Nicotine: Analysis of current nicotine dependence treatment, including Zyban therapy, nicotine substitutes (patches, gum, etc.), Varenicline, and future use of a nicotine vaccine (Nic

Drug abuse has been an ongoing issue throughout the United States. The misuse of drugs impacts every culture, age group, gender, race and social class of people. In 2012, approximately twenty-two million individuals throughout the United States were either abusing or had an addiction to alcohol and drugs (Friedman, 2014a, p. 385). Out of the twenty-two million people, four million individuals turn into being dependent or abusing marijuana (Friedman, 2014b, p. 387). Furthermore, two million were dependent on OxyContin and Vicodin, which are opioid prescription medicines (Friedman, 2014c, p. 387).

Numerous restricted drugs and narcotics, from marijuana to heroin, are being used by millions of people. Many of those who take these illegal drugs have serious problems of dependency.