Substance Abuse: Treatment and Rehabilitation

Anything out of limits and out of bonds is unacceptable. For example, somebody who has excessive food and is excessively obese creates problems for his own health and is also a problem for the family and the society. Food is still an acceptable substance of consumption, though not beyond limits. There are substances which are harmful for the health in whatever small quantities taken. Consumption of such harmful substance should be strictly restricted. When such substance is used for the wrong reason, just to satisfy a compulsive urge to consume the substance, it is known as substance abuse. This abuse of substance gradually leads to addiction to substance.

Certain substances which are prone to addiction include morphine, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, stimulants, anti depressants, and pain relievers among others. The patient might feel that the drug relives them of their worries and pains whereas essentially these substances affects the nervous system of the brain which decreases the pace of functioning of the brain, thus reaction to stimuli become slower. Substance addiction does not happen to everyone who consumes these substances. It is more prevalent in cases of individuals who either have had a neglected and abused childhood, or had a family history of addiction or had a traumatic experience in the past leading to stress or depression.

With regular consumption of such substance, the body develops a tolerance for such substances. This tolerance becomes so rigid that when the individual wants to come out of the addiction, the body reacts seriously to such addiction. The withdrawal symptoms can range from headache to drowsiness to dizziness to lack in metal alertness to increase in blood pressure and heart rate. At times the withdrawal symptoms can also be fatal and thus, de-addiction should always be attempted in consultation with a medical practitioner.

Depending on the severity of abuse and addiction of the substance, required medical consultation and rehabilitation needs to be planned to help the patient come out of addiction. The nature of substance, quantity of substance consumed and the duration for which the substance has been consumed needs to be analyzed in order to finalize the treatment of substance abuse patients. Treatment becomes easy in case the patient willingly cooperates in the de-addiction process.

In case the patient is relatively stable and can keep himself away from the substance, the patient can be treated at the out-patient facility. Such a facility does not require the patient to get admitted. Along with his normal routine, the patient needs to attend regular therapy sessions either individually or in groups at a convenient time. The treatment can also be provided at recovery or sober houses. In case, the patient needs constant medical supervision and also needs to be isolated from the source of substance, the patient should be treated at an in-patient facility also commonly known as rehabilitation center where the patient is admitted for the duration of therapy.

Treatment to addiction is a holistic one which attempts to heal the patient physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually and prepare him to lead a normal life without consuming such substances. Addiction treatment and therapy has a grave chance of relapse and thus, such treatment should be followed with after therapy consultations and family support.

Justin Harv is a family therapist and counselor with special expertise in Drug Rehab Counselor and recovery. He helps families and drug addicts struggling with recovery to cope with the challenges th