Many drug addicts are convinced that they will be able to quit drugs on their own; however, many of these efforts also fail to lead to lasting abstinence. This is because many drug addicts lack the will power to keep from using drugs, as well as self-respect and motivation to stick with an exercise program when they know full well it will not benefit them. In fact, a majority of drug users also suffer from severe cravings and withdrawal symptoms during the withdrawal process. In this article we’ll examine why some forms of drug addiction treatment don’t work.
One of the biggest problems encountered in the recovery of drug addiction is the lack of will power. Most addicts are unable to overcome the temptation to use drugs even when faced with extreme negative consequences. Many addicted people think they can just stop using drugs on their own and attempt to quit on their own without professional assistance; but most of those attempts fail completely. As a result, people go back to using drugs. Drug addiction experts recommend that addicts attempt to overcome their drug addiction through sober living; however, the road to recovery often presents many obstacles. Drug rehab centers often discourage the use of “self help” methods, such as cleansing diets, because such methods can have potentially harmful side effects.
Another common problem encountered in drug addiction treatment is mental health. Most drug users begin suffering from psychological issues such as depression and anxiety due to their drug use; they don’t realize that these problems will one day outweigh any drug use they had prior to beginning treatment. Many drug addiction treatment programs fail to recognize that recovery requires both medical and mental health intervention. Doctors may prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications for severe cases; however, without a healthy psychological outlook, these medications will do little to improve the addict’s condition. Recovery requires a combination of healthy lifestyle choices and life-style changes along with appropriate treatment for underlying psychological issues.
With regard to addiction, it is important to remember that habit is often more difficult to break than addiction. Habits are deeply ingrained and are much more difficult to remove than physical dependency. Some people may try to stop using prescription drugs cold turkey; however, for others, breaking the habit requires strong willpower and mental strength. Drug addiction treatment that focuses on habit breaking is very important and should be an integral part of every drug abuse treatment plan.
Along with the physical dependency of various street drugs, there is also a psychological dependency developed over years of use. Some drug addicts may find that withdrawal symptoms become so severe that they require medical intervention. Many treatment programs are highly dependent upon staff members’ personal experiences with drug addiction and may find that they are unable to assist individuals who exhibit symptoms of extreme withdrawal symptoms.
Individuals who have already experienced life-threatening circumstances or are experiencing severe cravings that make drug addiction treatment ineffective may find that drug addiction recovery centers are unable to provide effective therapies used to combat these issues. For these individuals, it may be necessary to explore alternative forms of therapy or medications. There are also several self-help programs that may prove helpful. However, the most effective therapies used in drug addiction recovery treatment are those that address both the physical and psychological aspects of dependency. In particular, therapy that addresses the development of an understanding of one’s emotional response to drug use as well as the cognitive processes through which that emotion is formed is extremely important.