Treatment

If you have a partner, child, sibling or friend who is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, you want to make the best possible choice for effective treatments. It's easy to be overwhelmed with the different treatment approaches available: 12-step, holistic, cognitive behavioral, etc. Is existential therapy a viable option? Keep reading to learn more.

Holistic refers to the idea that the whole is greater than merely the sum of its parts. In relation to holistic therapy for substance abuse, this concept has wide ramifications. Research has showed that addiction is a systemic brain disease marked by compulsive drug-seeking behavior. Of course, there are surefire methods of helping a person get clean. However, even these methods don't always take into consideration the whole individual. The holistic approach to treating substance abuse goes beyond traditional therapies such as those for individual, group, or family through behavioral or pharmacological treatment. Instead, this approach promotes recovery by healing the mind, body and soul.

As you know, depression is like a cloud hanging over everything you do. It alters who you are by affecting how you interact with and treat others. It diminishes the joys of your life and makes you see your future as a drudgery. But, thankfully, there is hope when it comes to treating depression. In addition to medication and counseling (both vital tools of recovery), art therapy has a positive impact on depression.

Substance abuse impacts the lives of every individual in a family. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (1), family members face a variety of challenges and complications when a loved one abuses drugs or alcohol. Finding the right treatment approach is crucial and allows the addicted individual to focus on personal treatment goals. Gestalt Therapy for addiction recovery is proving to be a viable option. Gestalt Therapy is a holistic approach to the recovery process that allows a person to make positive changes by understanding the factors that contribute to an addiction.

A loved one's behavior and thought patterns often change after abusing drugs or alcohol. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (1) says that drugs interfere with the way that the brain communicates and floods the brain's reward system with dopamine. Although the physical reactions to the substance contribute to an addiction, the psychological aspects of an addiction also play a role in the recovery process. During treatment, a loved one must address the emotional and psychological dependence that develops during an addiction. This is why the use of psychology in addiction treatment and recovery is often very effective.

After completing an addiction treatment program, you will want to find the right tools to limit the risk of a relapse. Although the best relapse prevention strategies will depend on your personal concerns, goals and interests, meditation or mindfulness teach you different ways to avoid triggers and limit cravings for drugs or alcohol. Meditation to prevent drug and alcohol relapse is becoming a very popular tool in recovery. According to the National Institutes of Health (1), roughly 50 percent of individuals relapse on drugs or alcohol within one year of completing a treatment program. By incorporating meditation, the risk of relapse reduces, says the National Institutes of Health (1).

Watching your loved one struggle with their drug use, repeatedly trying to stop on their own. You want to help, but you know that you lack the skills and background to truly reach your loved one in a way that gives them the kind of support they truly need. You probably despair at each new low that your loved one descends into while in the grasp of their drug addiction, especially if they have been using drugs several years. Having watched a healthy, bright and promising person become so reliant on something so life-altering and devastating has probably created a feeling of helplessness, causing you to wonder what their future might hold. Or how long their future might be if they don't get some kind of help.

Addiction is a complex disease that can alter the way we think, feel, and make decisions. If you're struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, knowing what to expect from treatment can help you achieve long-term recovery. Rest assured that you're not alone; many have broken the cycle of substance abuse then recovered and now live happy, rewarding lives.

The road to recovery has many hills, withdrawal being one of the steepest. Its painful symptoms may have halted your efforts to quit drugs or alcohol. Or perhaps the fear of withdrawal keeps you addicted. Know that you're not alone. By understanding the mechanisms behind withdrawal and developing effective coping mechanisms, you can greatly improve your chances of recovery.

When you are watching a loved one become lost in addiction or a psychiatric disorder, you feel desperate to help them. You long to get things back to normal, to the way they used to be. Are you trying to find out how long your loved one may have to undergo treatment? The answer varies. Keep reading to find out which factors can affect the length of treatment.

While you may look at your bank account and wonder how you can possibly afford your loved one’s stay in a drug treatment center, you know that there is little question as to the value of the proposition. The thought of seeing a familiar smile, no matter how faint, or an inspired spark in their eyes about some long-buried dream tends to trump budgets for most.

If you wake up each morning feeling sick and exhausted, you are probably starting to feel the many possible negative physical impacts that drug addiction is causing in your body. As difficult as it to accept, drugs cause chaos in your body. The longer you use drugs, the more damage they can do to your body. (1) Some of the possible illnesses or condition you might experience when using drugs over a long duration include the following: