Addiction Treatment 101 : Article

Addiction Treatment 101 : Article

Drug addiction is a complicated and treatable illness. It is marked by compulsive behvaviours which are self harming. The key features of addiction / addictive behaviors are:

1) Compulsive and repetitive engagement in a behavior which is harmful.
2) The individual engaging in behavior is aware of the harmful consequences.
3) Attempts to stop engaging in the harmful behavior are unsuccessful.


When viewed in this larger context almost any behavior that has the potential to take on an addictive quality or pattern can seen as an addiction. So for example gambling or compulsive sexual behaviors may also be viewed as forms of addiction.

From a psychiatric perspective the diagnosis of addiction is largely limited to drugs however this relates more to a scientific nomenclature for classifying psychiatric illnesses. So for example the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) would refer to gambling with an addictive pattern [as defined above] , as "pathological gambling" rather than "gambling addiction".

Sexual behavior which for example meets all the criteria for addictive illness is not formally considered "addiction" in the DSM. Notwithstanding this from an addiction treatment perspective ,it is at least in my opinion, and illness of addiction. Sexual addiction is very much alive in our society in great need of addiction treatment.

Addiction is a difficult illness to treat and should be viewed as a chronic recurring illness which requires ongoing management and treatment. Those suffering from addiction often relapse many times requiring repeated episodes of addiction treatment before sustaining abstinence from the addictive behavior. In spite of addiction treatment the healing of addiction tends to follow a non-linear path, meaning it is marked by periods of success along with periods relapse. It is for this reason that addiction requires a longer term, treatment plan which addresses the clients needs. With ongoing addiction treatment those who suffer greatly from addiction can achieve productive, and happy lives. The quick fix for addiction does not exist.

The eventual objective of drug addiction treatment, gambling addiction or sexual addiction is to empower an individual to achieve long-term abstinence. Initially this may not be realistic so sometime focusing on short term realistic goals other than abstinence can be helpful. For example, short term addiction treatment might concentrate on reducing drug abuse, gambling or addictive sexual behaviour. The benefit of these short-term goals would be to improve the patient's capacity to function, and diminish the social and medical ramifications of drug abuse, gambling addiction or sexual addiction.

In the USA during the year 2006, it is estimated that 23.6 million persons 12 years of age and older needed addiction treatment for an illicit drug abuse or alcohol abuse. Only 11% percent of those who required addiction treatment received treatment at a an addition treatment centre. Therefore the majority of those who require addiction treatment in a specialized addiction treatment centre did not receive it.

Untreated drug addiction, gambling addiction and sex addiction comes with significant costs to those who suffer from addiction, their families and the communities in which they live. The impact and cost of untreated addiction to the community is reflected in healthcare utilization for treatment of HIV, hepatitis and other illnesses which are commonly associated with addiction.

The justice system is often overburdened by the costs of maintaining the courts, prison system etc. Children suffer when parents engage in addictive behaviours resulting in the need for child welfare . Unemployment and reduced productivity affect the larger economy as well.

The cost to the community of drug addiction related to illegal drug abuse in the USA is in excess of 1.5 billion dollars a year. If one combines drug addiction for illicit substances and drug addiction to alcohol and tobacco the costs in the USA will exceed 500 billion.

From a societal investment perspective, the business case for funding addiction treatment is not rocket science. Simply put effective drug addiction treatment, sex addiction treatment, and gambling addiction treatment can help reduce the astronomical costs of addiction by limiting the spread of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, other infectious diseases and reducing the burden on the courts etc. It has been estimated that every dollar spent on addiction treatment will save 5 dollars in costs due to addiction related crimes. The treatment of addiction is not always politically popular one hence it is often given short thrift by those in power.

Scientific investigations has consistently demonstrated that addiction treatment can assist people who struggle with drug addiction, sexual addiction or gambling addiciton to change harmful behaviors and prevent relapse. By doing this they can move from a life of substance abuse and addiction ( drug, sexual, gambling) to a life which is fullfilling and healthy. On should bear in
mind that addiction treatment frequently requires multiple episodes of treatment. When considering addiction treatment program one might find the following helpful :

Not all addiction treatment programs are effective for all individuals. Therefore, the choice of a program should ideally be based on a careful assessment which identifies the individual clients needs. An effective addiction treatment program will attend to the spiritual, physical, emotional , psychiatric, social and psychological difficulties of a client and not just attempt to treat the drug addiction, sexual addiction or gambling addiction. For example, a client who has depression or bipolar disorder may require treatment for a psychiatric illness so as optimize the success of the addiction treatment. Likewise a client who struggles with anxiety or chronic pain will require therapy for their associated problems. Addiction treatment plans should be reviewed frequently
and modified if needed. Psychotherapy and Addiction Counselling should address not only the addiction but the underlying emotional, psychological and social issues which affect the client. Addiction treatment programs should also be of an adequate duration. Generally, a longer program will be more effective. It is interesting to note that addiction treatment can be effective even
if it is not voluntary. Recognize that receiving medically supported withdrawal from alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines or other drugs is not sufficient treatment in and of itself.
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