When it comes to recovering from substance abuse, developing a treatment plan with a provider is an essential first step. This individualized roadmap will help set realistic expectations, set goals, and track progress. Ongoing therapy and counseling services can help keep ex-drug addicts on the path to self-improvement. The intensity and duration of drug treatment will depend on the severity of the addiction and the intensity of the drug. Drug education is important for young people, as they face many influences to use both licit and illicit drugs.
There are many aspects of drug and alcohol addiction treatment, including health care, counseling and education, and therapy, especially behavioral treatment modalities. Abstinence from illicit drug use is the central clinical goal of all types of drug treatment, but it is not the only goal. Studies have shown that when heavy drug users reduce or stop their drug use, their criminality of other types is also dramatically lower (Ball et al.).In light of the substantial losses to society resulting from active drug abuse and dependence, it is important to recognize that a quantitative reduction in illicit drug use and the accompanying problems for an individual client is a socially and personally valuable outcome. Employers are increasingly using drug testing to prevent people with drug problems from entering the workforce rather than pushing those already in it toward recovery. Medications are prescribed by a primary care physician or other health care professionals and may be used alone or together with counseling.
In the eyes of the public, criminal offenders constitute the most worrying component of the drug problem and occupy an important place in the estimates of the costs to society of drug use. There is also moral and logistical support for drug behavior to be found among other drug users, who may be close friends and family. Once all the work is done and the patient no longer sees himself as a problem drug user, he is free to experience the world without being stopped by drug addiction. However, there is limited evidence on the connection between employee assistance or drug screening programs and drug treatment, and data suggest that linkages with employers are not a big part of the overall treatment picture. An approach to data on prisoners, drugs and recidivism raises cautious expectations about whether and to what extent drug treatment could reduce recidivism in prisons, despite its effectiveness in reducing drug use. Those suffering from total drug addiction may not be seen outside the environments in which drugs are involved, as their lives are focused on them. So what are the four goals of drug therapy? The four goals are abstinence from illicit drugs; reducing criminal activity; reducing health risks; and improving quality of life.
Abstinence from illicit drugs is the primary goal of all types of treatment. Reducing criminal activity involves helping individuals stay away from activities that could lead to criminal behavior. Reducing health risks involves helping individuals stay away from activities that could lead to physical or mental health problems. Finally, improving quality of life involves helping individuals find meaningful activities that can help them lead a more fulfilling life.
