Antidotes for Addiction

Antidotes "Addiction Drug addiction is a serious disease. In the U.S. alone, it affects millions of people and claims numerous lives. This staggering epidemic of substance abuse has led to an abundance of treatment options. Just what are they, and how do they help? lin 10 23.2 million Americans with clinical substance addiction (ages 12+) who use drugs or alcohol daily $600 billion Estimated number of Americans Annual medical and economic costs from substance abuse THE CULPRITS A basic understanding of popular drugs is important to understanding treatment, since treatment options can vary depending on the drug or drugs of choice. Marijuana NEGATIVE EFFECTS: Increased heart rate, slowed reaction time, increased appetite, panic attacks Alcohol NEGATIVE EFFECTS: Drowsiness, slurred speech, nausea, loss of coordination, impaired memory SUBSTANCE SUBSTANCE ABUSERS/ADDICTS: ABUSERS/ADDICTS: 18,658,000 4,090,000 Cocaine NEGATIVE EFFECTS:: Increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and body tremors, paranoia, anxiety, psychosis Heroin NEGATIVE EFFECTS: Dizziness, sedation, feeling of heaviness, slowed breathing and heart rate SUBSTANCE ABUSERS/ADDICTS: SUBSTANCE ABUSERS/ADDICTS: 227,000 1,549,000 Prescription painkillers NEGATIVE EFFECTS:: Depression, anxiety, impaired memory, muscle aches, disorientation, nausea, dissociation Methamphetamine NEGATIVE EFFECTS: Tremors, increased energy. irritability, anxiety, psychosis, reduced appetite SUBSTANCE ABUSERS/ADDICTS: SUBSTANCE ABUSERS/ADDICTS: 626,000 1,546,000 TRIED-AND-TRUE Just like any medical practice, there are tried and true versions of therapy and newer, lesser known methods. Let's take a look at the treatment methods for addicts. VACANCY REHAB 10% Average cost of 28-day inpatient treatment program Addicts currently receiving treatment $25,166 TYPES OF TREATMENT Outpatient rehab Psychotherapy Best for: Users who have family or loved ones who can encourage and help maintain sobriety. Inpatient rehab with detox Best for: Users with daily, life-threatening addictions who do not live in conditions conducive to treatment. Best for: Users who have experienced past traumas that have contributed to their addiction. How it works: A typical stay is 28 or 30 days. Patients go through clinical detox, attend mandatory therapy sessions and stay in a sober living space. How it works: A patient must report to meetings and therapy sessions conducted outside a hospital setting. Programs often are as long as inpatient treatments, 28-30 days. How it works: Talk therapy is utilized to uncover traumatic memories and/or experiences at the root of an individual's addiction. Hypnosis Cognitive behavioral therapy Best for: Users who have previously or continuously relapsed. Best for: Users who believe their addiction is purely psychological and can be overcome with willpower and not medicine. How it works: Through therapy, users are exposed to their abused substance in order to build their confidence in refusing to indulge. This is purely a reactionary, physical therapy that does not include psychotherapy. How it works: Patients are hypnotized and convinced that they do not need or desire the substance they abuse. For narcotic users, hypnosis is often paired with methadone therapy. Nutrition therapy Best for: Users who are interested in health and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to replace their consistent drug abuse Drug-replacement treatment (methadone therapy) How it works: This therapy utilizes the view that drug addiction is due to an imbalance of chemicals in the body. By focusing on nutrition and balance, users attempt to battle their biochemistry to maintain healthy lifestyles and overcome addiction. Best for: Users of severely addictive, intravenous drugs; typically heroin and methamphetamine. How it works: Though only considered a temporary fix, the substance being abused is replaced with methadone or an equally sedating drug to offset the symptoms of withdrawal. 12-step programs Best for: Users who need ongoing treatment and outpatient rehabilitation, How it works: Users attend regular meetings, sometimes for years, and go through the process of changing their entire lifestyles along with their drug abuse. Holistic therapy Best for: Users who believe in new-age remedies. R SOURCES How it works: Holistic doctors often use a mix of complementary medicines, equine therapy, acupuncture, neurofeedback, massage and more to treat addiction and its psychological effects. http://www.cdc.gov http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov http://www.foodsafetynews.com http://www.who.int/ http://www.wikipedia.org topcounselingschools.org