According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in August of last year, 46% of U.S. adults say they have a family member or close friend who has an addiction now or has had one in the past. The illicit drugs included in the survey were marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, methamphetamine, and misuse of prescription drugs. Along with these different drugs comes different short and long-term consequences, as each person’s history with drugs are different. There are many reasons why each addiction is different:
- Environment – the social settings, people, and safety associated with use
- Patterns of Use – how often, how much, what time of day, the effects experienced, how strong and long the effects lasted, if poly-drug use occurred, if drugs were used to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms, and the way in which drugs were taken
- Personal Demographics – the age, weight, gender, health, tolerance to drugs, previous experience with substance use and withdrawal, beliefs and expectations regarding drugs, current mood, psychological health, impact of substance on these factors
Since each person’s experience with addiction is different, it’s imperative their story gets heard so that a reputable treatment center can design a customized plan to fit their direct needs. Addiction can have a powerful influence over the mind and body, making it that much more important for highly specialized care – this is why dual-diagnosis has become even more integrated in treatment centers.
A clinical trial supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) affirmed the importance of individualized care. Dr. Jennifer S. Potter of the University of Texas Health Center at San Antonio stated,
“People who inject drugs or use heroin may need more structured attention and a higher level of monitoring during treatment, because they have an increased risk for dropping out. When treating users of opioid painkillers, physicians should feel confident recommending either buprenorphine or methadone, depending on the medications’ availability and patient’s preference.”
Proper treatment should tend to multiple needs of a person, not just their addiction and/or mental illness; treatment should address any medical, psychological, social, vocational, and legal problems while ensuring appropriate fit for the person’s age, gender, ethnicity, and culture. Select a treatment center that will optimize your treatment while customizing it to directly fit your needs.
If you’re seeking a mental health and/or substance abuse recovery treatment center, call us today at 855-412-2426. Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed treatment center with licensed, experienced professionals who care about your recovery. We have a variety of methods that we can try with you to see what works and will help you develop a customized treatment plan to best suit your needs. Make the decision to place your health and happiness as top priority and call us for a consultation.
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