Prescription Medicine for the Addict - A
Good Idea?
By Stephanie
Loebs
__________________________________________
For the addict, one of the most difficult and most rewarding
things he or she can do is admit there is a problem. To make the
commitment to enter rehabilitation takes a determination and
courage that precludes successful treatment. Addiction to drugs
and/or alcohol is more than just a condition, it is a disease of
the body and will that must be correctly diagnosed and approached
in order to assure a lengthy abstinence.
Adolescents who continues to
drink will increase drinking to a regular pattern, especially on
weekends. They may experiment with other drugs. They begin to use
drugs to communicate, to relate, to
belong.
Oftentimes, a patient entering rehab may be prescribed to take
existing medications for different conditions. Whether or not these
medicines are related to the addiction being treated can make a
difference in how they are administered to the patient, if at
all.
Supplementary Treatments in Rehab
If you are about to enter a program and take existing
medications, your physicians and counselors should be made aware
immediately. In some cases, a patient may continue taking a
prescription during the rehabilitation process, if the medicine
does not contribute or conflict with recovery. A reputable
treatment center will examine every medication involved to
determine whether it is safe. If not, an alternative treatment may
be prescribed so as not to interfere with your detox.
All drugs of abuse activate
brain reward pathways that are very old from an evolutionary
perspective. These pathways mediate a person's response
to natural rewards, such as social interaction, sex, shelter, and
food. Drugs of abuse activate these reward pathways with great
power not seen under normal environmental
circumstances.
Alternative Therapies
What, if any, alternative treatments are available to addiction
patients? Depending upon the problem, there is a possibility that
some things can be cared for without the need for supplementary
drugs. Depression and anxiety are often treated in rehab clinics in
addition to addictive behaviors. A reputable clinics will have on
staff or have access to counselors and psychiatrists who specialize
in treating addictive behaviors.
According to U.S. prison
statistics, roughly 50% of the state prisoners and 40% of federal
prison inmates who have been incarcerated for committing violent
crimes claim that they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol
while committing their crimes.
For patients suffering physical injury, who take prescription
drugs as a means of aiding pain, exercise programs and holistic
activities may be offered as a substitute treatment. If you or a
loved one is in need of supplementary assistance during rehab
treatment, it is always recommended to consult with a potential
clinic to see what programs are available. This way, recovery can
be made whole, and serve the heal the body, mind, and soul.
All individuals who experience
drug or alcohol withdrawal symptoms should seek medical
treatment. The main reason for this is to prevent further
complications or difficulties from occurring. For
instance, in some extreme situations, drug and alcohol withdrawal
symptoms can be life threatening.
Stephanie Loebs is the executive director of Williamsburg Place,
one of the top drug rehab
clinics in the nation. Williamsburg Place aids those who suffer
from drug and/or alcohol addiction, and specializes in caring for
health care professionals. For over twenty years Williamsburg Place
and its joint rehabilitation center, the William J. Farley Center,
have helped thousands of people from all walks of life take back
their lives and overcome substance abuse.
Please Add Our Website To Your Favorite
Bookmarks!
Individuals who are having
difficulties and issues with chemical substances will find that
increasing amounts of their time is taken up using the substance.
Individuals on cocaine for instance, first only use recreationally.
They occasionally use at parties. As their illness progresses,
moreover, they find themselves using more often, during the week,
even when they are alone. More and more of their time is spent in
getting cocaine, using cocaine, and withdrawing from cocaine. The
more they use, the more they need. The more they need the more they
use. It's the same negative cycle with all mood altering
drugs.