Treating Chronic Drug Addiction

Chronic drug addiction can be treated if caught early enough.

Unfortunately, for many people, drug addiction is a chronic disease that keeps coming back despite numerous attempts at treatment. Drug dependency can occur as the result of being prescribed a prescription medication or it may result from the use of illegal street drugs but regardless of how drug dependency starts, overcoming the addiction can be a long and difficult process. Treating chronic drug addiction usually begins with inpatient drug rehab followed by outpatient drug rehab, sober living and long term follow up care.

Treating Chronic Drug Addiction: Inpatient Drug Rehab

Inpatient drug rehab is typically the first step to treating chronic drug addiction. Many inpatient drug rehab programs offer drug detox. If the inpatient drug rehab center that you attend does not provide drug detox services then your first step of chronic addiction treatment will have to begin in a detox center. However, if you attend an inpatient drug rehab center then chances are you can receive drug detox treatment while in the same facility.

Inpatient drug rehab centers provide psychiatric counseling and care that is aimed at helping addicts to change their thoughts and behaviors in an effort to prevent relapse. Inpatient drug rehab centers also provide a range of services that are aimed at helping addicts to successfully rehabilitate from addiction.

Treating Chronic Drug Addiction: Outpatient Drug Rehab

Once an inpatient drug rehab program is completed the next step of chronic drug addiction treatment can begin. During outpatient drug rehab the addict will live at home or another residence which they will call home and will continue to receive treatment for their addiction on an outpatient basis. These facilities provide many of the same services as inpatient drug rehab programs but they are less intense and invasive then inpatient treatment programs tend to be. Outpatient drug rehab centers can provide counseling, therapy and medications for addicts who are continuing to work toward recovery from addiction.

Treating Chronic Drug Addiction: Sober Living

Sober living is the next step following inpatient treatment if the addict does not return to their own home. A sober living house provides a structured atmosphere where the addict can continue to work toward their recovery goals while living in an environment where others are also recovering from similar issues. Additionally, sober living provides the structure that helps addicts to continue to remain sober by strictly prohibiting the use or drugs or alcohol while the individual lives in the facility.

Treating Chronic Drug Addiction: After Care

Once a recovering addict has completed an inpatient rehab program and has attended an outpatient program as well as sober living and they have smoothly transitioned back into society after care comes into play. After care is similar to outpatient rehab in that it is social support, counseling and care that is provided to recovering addicts on a long term basis in an effort to further prevent relapse from occurring. Chronic drug addiction requires chronic treatment in order to successfully recover. After care is just one of the many ways that recovering addicts can continue to get the support that they need to overcome this devastating disease.