There is always no positive results from drug addiction. The addiction affects the individual, family, and society at large. The drugs affect the behavior and functioning of the brain thus reducing the performance of the patient. This mainly results in unemployment thus the society is faced with the problem of available manpower that cannot be used. Here is what you need to know about treatment for Heroin addiction.
Through scientific research, scientists have discovered that it is possible to deal with drug addiction through administering other drugs. This method in dealing with drug addiction is known as a Pharmacological method. The method has been identified to reduce drug use and increases the chances of success and retention of the treatment program. This thus ensures that the patient will still have the will to avoid using the drug even after the completion of the rehabilitation program.
Drugs used in pharmacological treatments operate on the same receptors as those that the addictive drug works on. Although both drugs work similar receptors, the drugs used to treat the addict will not create any effect similar to those of the drugs. The drugs are divided into three groups according to the manner in which they affect the receptors. Agonists which activate the receptors, partial agonists that activate receptors for small responses and antagonists which block receptors.
When the patient first starts any treatment regardless of the type, they will undergo withdrawal symptoms. This includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and pain. Their symptoms may differ in intensity but are often severe for most patients. To make the patients comfortable during this detoxification stage, medications are used to ease cravings and other physical symptoms which, prompts patients to relapse.
All the drugs used in pharmacological methods are administered differently. Common administrations are oral, injection or sublingual administration. Oral drug includes methadone, an agonist drug which is expected to act slowly thus the oral administration. Buprenorphine is taken orally or sublingually and is a partial agonist, while Naltrexone is an antagonist injected monthly. The new monthly dose is expected to increase compliance of the patients through reducing the need for daily doses.
Second treating method is done on outpatients and is known as a behavioral method. It is categorized into cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management. Contingency management promotes rehabilitation by awarding the patients every time they register a negative drug test. In cognitive rehabilitation, the idea of the patient about drugs is changed, and skills about stress management are offered.
Although the behavioral and pharmacologic treatments work best alone, some patients will require a combination of both methods to ensure more effective rehabilitation. The method used thus solely depends on the condition or character of the patient. Only a professionally qualified doctor in rehabilitation should analyze and determine the best method of treating an addict.
Due to different needs, the treatment methods, medications, and methods will differ between the patients. The doctor will assess the needs of the patient and settle for the treatment he/she finds most appropriate. The guardian of a patient may also help a doctor decide on the best treatment method for the patient.
Through scientific research, scientists have discovered that it is possible to deal with drug addiction through administering other drugs. This method in dealing with drug addiction is known as a Pharmacological method. The method has been identified to reduce drug use and increases the chances of success and retention of the treatment program. This thus ensures that the patient will still have the will to avoid using the drug even after the completion of the rehabilitation program.
Drugs used in pharmacological treatments operate on the same receptors as those that the addictive drug works on. Although both drugs work similar receptors, the drugs used to treat the addict will not create any effect similar to those of the drugs. The drugs are divided into three groups according to the manner in which they affect the receptors. Agonists which activate the receptors, partial agonists that activate receptors for small responses and antagonists which block receptors.
When the patient first starts any treatment regardless of the type, they will undergo withdrawal symptoms. This includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and pain. Their symptoms may differ in intensity but are often severe for most patients. To make the patients comfortable during this detoxification stage, medications are used to ease cravings and other physical symptoms which, prompts patients to relapse.
All the drugs used in pharmacological methods are administered differently. Common administrations are oral, injection or sublingual administration. Oral drug includes methadone, an agonist drug which is expected to act slowly thus the oral administration. Buprenorphine is taken orally or sublingually and is a partial agonist, while Naltrexone is an antagonist injected monthly. The new monthly dose is expected to increase compliance of the patients through reducing the need for daily doses.
Second treating method is done on outpatients and is known as a behavioral method. It is categorized into cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management. Contingency management promotes rehabilitation by awarding the patients every time they register a negative drug test. In cognitive rehabilitation, the idea of the patient about drugs is changed, and skills about stress management are offered.
Although the behavioral and pharmacologic treatments work best alone, some patients will require a combination of both methods to ensure more effective rehabilitation. The method used thus solely depends on the condition or character of the patient. Only a professionally qualified doctor in rehabilitation should analyze and determine the best method of treating an addict.
Due to different needs, the treatment methods, medications, and methods will differ between the patients. The doctor will assess the needs of the patient and settle for the treatment he/she finds most appropriate. The guardian of a patient may also help a doctor decide on the best treatment method for the patient.
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