Treatment of Alcoholism or Drug Addiction

To understand treatment and make the right treatment choices, it helps to have an overview of the treatment process. Treatment often involves four general phases. The four general phases usually involve the following sequence:

1. Getting started (evaluation of disease symptoms and accompanying life problems, and developing a treatment plan that works for you)
2. Detoxification (to discontinue usage)
3. Active treatment (residential treatment or therapeutic communities, intensive and regular outpatient treatment, medications to help with alcohol/drug cravings and discourage alcohol/drug use, medications to treat concurrent psychiatric illnesses, 12-step programs, other self-help and mutual-help groups)
4. Continued sobriety and relapse prevention (outpatient treatment as needed, 12-step programs, other self-help and mutual-help groups)

Getting Started
First, the person must overcome denial and distorted thinking and develop the desire to stop drinking/using drugs. During this stage it is vital to seek the help of someone that is knowledgeable about treatment and the options available.

Detoxification
The second phase of treatment involves stopping the use of alcohol/drugs. This can be accomplished through the use of either an impatient or outpatient program. At this stage it is important to be under medical supervision as withdrawal symptoms can cause high risk health problems.

Active Treatment
It is in the first three to six months after a person stops drinking/taking drugs that relapse is most likely to occur. This period is also characterized by physiological abnormalities that can include mood change, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and hormone imbalance. Receiving active assistance during this phase is vital in order for treatment to succeed.

During this third phase of treatment a person typically gains the further incentive to stay committed to sobriety, as well as to the acquisition of the knowledge and skills necessary to stay sober. Support systems are used rather than alcohol/drugs to deal with the problems of daily life. The help of a treatment professional is important during this time.

A professional, knowledgeable in the treatment of alcohol/drug addiction, can be most helpful in gaining insight as to how the excessive use of alcohol/drugs has affected a person’s health and life in general. Professional support is also important in that it will help set goals and develop the best treatment plan to help maintain sobriety.

Medications can be helpful by diminishing cravings and discouraging alcohol/drug use. A treatment professional can help with the proper use of these medications to treat the various medical conditions that are present and might occur with the excessive use of alcohol/drugs.

Several Studies have shown that the longer a person stays committed to an active treatment plan, the more likely he or she will stay committed to sobriety. Professionals feel that active treatment typically lasts from six months to a year.

Individuals in treatment will often need a variety of support systems such as Alcoholics Anonymous or other self-help groups to achieve and preserve long lasting sobriety.

Maintaining Sobriety and Relapse Prevention
A person can be considered as have entering this stage when the person feels comfortable utilizing the skills learned to stay sober and avoid relapse, both in crisis situations and in problems that are encountered in everyday life.

(800) 923-8722 - Direct number to Alcoholics
Anonymous, Los Angeles Central Office
http://www.lacoaa.org
(800) 863-2962 - Direct number to Narcotics
Anonymous, Southern California Central Office
http://www.na.org