On any given day in the United States, one million people are in

treatment for alcoholism or drug addiction. It is not getting

into treatment, however, that makes the difference. Instead, it

is what a person gets out of treatment. The fact that many people do not find success in treatment on their first attempt is due in part to a lack of understanding about what makes effective treatment. 1. There is no treatment formula that will work for everyone. Occasionally, people looking for treatment will come across other

individuals who are already in recovery and who insist that the

only path to recovery is whatever path the recovering individual

has taken. This simply is not true. The ultimate success of each

individual entering treatment depends on finding the right

treatment setting and methods for the individual, and everyone?

needs are different. 2. Medically supervised withdrawal is only one step in addiction

treatment; alone it will do little. Frequently, it is necessary for addicts and alcoholics to go

through a medically supervised withdrawal period before they can

safely enter treatment. However, some people confuse this short 3

to 7 day period with treatment, which it is not. Some people

cycle in and out of these withdrawal episodes convinced that they

should be able to maintain abstinence afterwards, but never

finding success. Seemingly tragic, this allows some addicts to

continue in their addiction while giving the appearance that they

are attempting to get healthy. 3. Length of treatment counts. The appropriate duration for an individual depends on his or her

problems and needs. Research indicates that for most patients,

significant improvement is reached at about 3 months. The

research suggests that this may be residential, outpatient or a

combination of both depending on the individual? needs. After

this initial period, additional treatment can produce further

progress toward recovery. 4. Drug addiction is a multidimensional problem, and treatment

needs to address all of an individual? needs. Effective treatment must address the individual's drug

use, but also any associated medical, psychological, social,

vocational, or legal problems. 5. Counseling (individual and/or group) is a critical part of

effective addiction treatment. Many alcoholics and addicts mistakenly believe that if they could

just stop using for a week or two they could stop using forever.

In reality, they need therapy. In therapy, addicts examine their

motivation, build skills to resist drug use, replace drug-using

activities with constructive and rewarding nondrug-using

activities, and improve problem-solving abilities. Additionally,

therapy helps individuals to rebuild and re-learn family and

social living patterns. 6. Medications are an important part of treatment for many

people. Medications such as suboxone, methadone and LAAM can all be

effective in helping certain individuals stay away from illicit

drugs. Some times frowned upon by some individuals in recovery

the truth is that these medications allow millions of individuals

to live normal, productive lives. 7. Drug testing during treatment is important. Drugs are found everywhere, even in drug treatment. Whether

treatment is offered on an outpatient, inpatient or in a jail

drugs are available to individuals in treatment. This puts

individuals in treatment at risk for reusing even while in

treatment. It also means that every individual in treatment

should be monitored for drug treatment on an ongoing basis. In

this manner treatment, plans may be modified to increase the

chance of ultimate success. 8. Alcoholics and addicts with mental health disorders should be

treated for both at the same time. An alcoholic or addict who also has a mental health disorder is

said to have? o-occurring?disorders. In the past, the question

has sometimes been should the person be treated for the mental

health problem or the addiction first. People may be using drugs

to deal with the mental health problem or they may have the

mental health issue because of their drug use. The most effective

way to deal with these two? o-occurring?disorders and deal with

the addiction is to treat them at the same time. 9. Addiction Treatment works even for people who don? choose it

of their own free will. It used to be believed that someone had to want to go

into treatment before it could be effective. New research has

shown that this is not the case. In fact, treatment is just as

effective for individuals who are court ordered to do treatment

as it is for people who figure out the need for it on their own.

Families and employers can be just as effective at getting

unwilling addicts into treatment. Stephen King, in his

autobiography? n Writing,?tells about the intervention his wife

and family performed on him. King did not want to go into

treatment. He was seemingly happy doing coke and drinking

mouthwash, but his wife Tabitha and his children were not happy

with the situation and performed an intervention. Forced to

choose between family and drugs, King made the right choice.

Interventions are most successful when done correctly and with

the help of a professional. For more information on interventions

visit www. interventionresources. net10. Don? give up. As with other chronic illnesses, relapses can occur during or

after successful treatment episodes. Addicted individuals may

need lengthy treatment and more than one time in treatment before

they can enjoy long-term abstinence and full restoration to a

drug free life. The period after treatment is just as important

as being in treatment. Finding support and continuous work to

stay drug free will be necessary. A slip or relapse is just an

indicator that more work, and possibly more treatment, is

necessary. Don't give up. David Westbrook? 2005David Westbrook is a freelance writer.

He has spent several years talking to thousands of addicts and

their families who are in search of drug addiction treatment

centers. He invites you to visit his websites

http://www. addictionsresources. com and http://www. alcoholismresources. com

Author:
David Westbrook