Print This Page
Sometimes it can be hard to understand addiction. If you have never experienced it, it may be hard to sympathize. Some even wonder why drug addicts can’t quit on their own!
Many drug addicts actually feel this way themselves. Especially in the beginning, they feel that they can quit on their own – that they have complete control and power over their addiction. Either out of shame over their addiction or pride in their will, they try to stop without treatment. Long-term resistance usually is not accomplished in these situations.
Long-term drug abuse has long-lasting and significant effects on the human brain. These problems can continue long after the individual ceases using drugs. This can include the continued compulsion to use drugs as a behavioral effect, despite the well-publicized consequences of the habit.
Realizing that drug abuse has such biological effects can explain why that person has such difficulty maintaining their resistance to drug abuse without proper treatment and rehabilitation. Relapse occurrences are especially more common when these biological effects combine with locations and objects that remind one of their past with drugs, running into people from their drug-using days, or even the stress and pressures of family or work.
The important thing to remember is that all of these can be overcome with proper treatment from a professional. Research supports the notion that even the most severely addicted individual can actively participate in a treatment and rehabilitation program. This active participation is crucial to the success of the treatment and encourages the continued long-term abstinence from drugs and addiction.
With proper help, the drug addicted person learns the appropriate strategies for coping with their addiction and cravings. This includes ways to avoid drugs and prevent relapse, as well as dealing with a relapse if such a thing occurs. Behavioral therapy, including psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, and counseling, can be a huge benefit to an addict learning these strategies and the proper behavior. Treatment can also include medications to combat some of the biological effects, like the ones that were discussed above.
The best treatment programs are tailored to meet the needs of the individual, as factors such as age, race, gender, culture, history of abuse, and type of addiction can all contribute to the variables of the addiction. This can include behavioral therapy, medication therapy, or a combination of both.
The drug addict is not alone, and it is important to ensure them that they are not. Through proper treatment and rehabilitation, they can succeed in overcoming this problem.
