Principles of Effective Treatment
Scientific research since the mid–1970s shows that treatment can help patients addicted to drugs stop using, avoid relapse, and successfully recover their lives. Based on this research, key principles have emerged that should form the basis of any effective treatment programs:

• Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior.



• No single treatment is appropriate for everyone.



• Effective treatment attends to multiple needs of the individual, not just his or her drug abuse.



• Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical.



• Counseling—individual and/or group—and other behavioral therapies are the most commonly used forms of drug abuse treatment.



• Medications are an important element of treatment for many patients, especially when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies.



• Medically assisted detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself does little to change long–term drug abuse.



• Treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective.



• Drug use during treatment must be monitored continuously, as lapses during treatment do occur.
  
  

Effective Treatment Approaches
Medication and behavioral therapy, especially when combined, are important elements of an overall therapeutic process that often begins with detoxification, followed by treatment and relapse prevention. Easing withdrawal symptoms can be important in the initiation of treatment; episodes of relapse may require a return to prior treatment components. A continuum of care that includes a customized treatment regimen—addressing all aspects of an individual's life, including medical and mental health services—and follow–up options (e.g., community – or family-based recovery support systems) can be crucial to a person's success in achieving and maintaining a drug–free lifestyle.

My comment

I think that effective treatment is very important. for example people who give therapy should always have the training appropriate to be able to follow and give advice to people who try to become addict free. The thing is that I do not think that every "therapist" have the right training and the therapies that they give are probably not the best ones, not that they cannot help people but in an effective way? not sure about that yet.

For more information: http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/treatmeth.html

Too often, addiction goes untreated

Too often, addiction goes untreated
According to SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)

23.2 million persons (9.4 percent of the U.S. population) aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem in 2007.

Of these individuals, 2.4 million (10.4 percent of those who needed treatment) received treatment (hospital, drug or alcohol rehabilitation or mental health center).

20.8 million persons (8.4 percent of the population aged 12 or older) did not receive treatment.

My comment

I think that 8.4% of the population who needs treatment and did not receive it is to much! This tells me that drug use is not look closely enough I mean in these statistics 12 years old are listed. these 12 years old did not just try the drug they NEED treatment they have past the stage of just trying they are addicted.

For more information:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/treatmeth.html

Do You Know Your Drug Facts?

Cocaine: 8% of high school seniors have tried cocaine in one of its several forms. Everyone knows that cocaine is a hard drug, but you’ve probably also heard that it’s an amazing high. Cocaine is extremely addictive because the euphoria tends to wear off quickly and even irregular use can cause strokes and heart attacks, since it constricts the blood vessels.

Ecstasy: This common party drug might seem harmless, but 43% of users are actually addicted to it and 34% are considered to be abusing ecstasy. In addition, this drug, which acts as both a psychedelic and a stimulant, can have serious effects on the brain and body. It tends to raise blood pressure, which can cause strokes or heart problems, even in young people, and also makes it so the body can’t cool itself, often resulting in organ failure and death. Repeated use can also build up toxic levels in the body.

Heroin: Another hard drug, heroin is probably not something many people expect to find in a high school, but 1.5% of 8th graders have tried it. Heroin has one of the highest rates of overdose deaths and is extremely difficult to quit. The body rapidly builds a tolerance to this drug, resulting in higher doses each time. Repeated abuse causes infections in the heart and lung problems.

Inhalants: Some of the most popular drugs for teens aren’t drugs at all, but common household items. Gasoline, glue, spray paint, and cleaning products are often used as drugs. However, the ingredients in inhalants tend to cause permanent effects like deafness, jerking hands and legs, and brain damage. It’s not uncommon for users to die after a single session.

LSD: This is a hallucinogen, a drug that makes you experience things that feel completely real, but are really all in your mind. A bad trip can cause the user to commit suicide or do something very stupid that results in injury or death. 9.7% of American teens have tried LSD at least once.

Marijuana: This is considered to be a pretty mild drug and many teens see nothing wrong with smoking pot as a recreational drug. It does have some nasty effects though, and is the third most common drug that lands teens in the hospital (after cocaine and alcohol). After just one hour of smoking marijuana, the risk of having a heart attack rises 400% and it can also cause serious brain damage.

My comment

I think that the facts are interesting. I did not realize that 8% of high school seniors had tried cocaine! or that 1.5% of 8 grade students had tired heroin I think that 1.5% is a lot when you think that heroin is a drug that you get addicted to very easly. I also found interesting that after 1 hour of using marijuana you incfrease your chance to have a heart attact of 400% I do not think that a lot of people no this because marijuana is percieved as a mild drug.

For more information go on : http://www.teenzeen.org/drug-facts.html

Kyla