Drug abuse, often described as substance misuse, medication abuse, drug addiction, and drug dependence, is a condition in which a person struggles to control their use of a specific drug, legal or illicit. To use long-term drug abuse expert Bryan Alzate’s words, ‘drug abuse appears when we are unable to find better, healthier coping mechanisms for mental, physical or emotional stressors.’
Who are the Experts?
We contacted United Recovery California, an addiction treatment clinic in Laguna Hills, and asked them to clarify some of the topics discussed in this article. A trained specialist who helps people struggling with alcohol or drug addiction recover through treatment programs has helped us bring light to the topic of drug abuse.
Even though there are different types of abuse and addiction counselors, an addiction expert should have a medical degree. This does not mean all healthcare professionals have the needed experience and knowledge to diagnose a person’s addiction.
When a physician or psychiatrist completes medical school, they can get a certification, in addition, to being certified as an addiction expert from the following bodies.
- ABAM, American Board of Addiction Medicine
- ABPN, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- ABPM, American Board of Preventive Medicine
- AOA, American Osteopathic Association
Other experienced personnel can apply to be Certified Addiction Specialists (CAS) once they are eligible and meet all the requirements.
The specialist can diagnose and treat addictions and any physical and psychiatric issues concerning prolonged abuse of alcohol and drugs with any of these certifications.
How Is Treatment ‘Tailored’?
Before starting treatment, it is essential to know the cause of the issue and what to expect during the treatment process. There are assessment tools that have been designed to suit the evaluation demands.
The addiction specialist will ask you to fill out an assessment form or questionnaire which will contain questions about:
- If you are currently on drugs
- Substances you are taking or have taken.
- Frequency and quantity of substance intake
- Health history
- Treatment history (to know if that is your first time having addiction treatment.)
- Drug Abuse pattern
- The drug addiction effect
- Symptoms (physical, mental, and emotional)
After the assessment, the specialist will conduct a face-to-face interview for a more detailed report.
Then you’ll see another doctor for a medical exam. The exam is to see if the abuse has affected your physical health, as this can affect the treatment plan. You will need to take a urine test, saliva drug test, and a hair follicle drug test. And in rare cases, you can also be asked to take a blood test.
In addition to these tests, there will also be an evaluation of mental health. This is vital because one out of three people addicted to substances experience mental health disorders. After the evaluation, the specialist will use the result to tailor your treatment process.
Your treatment process involves detoxification and counseling therapy. Detoxification clears the remaining substance from the body, thereby reducing withdrawal reactions.
Why Do Some Centers Advertise ‘Holistic Therapies’?
Holistic therapy aims to use different aspects of a person’s whole being, physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental, to help them heal better. Since the cause of substance abuse can be due to different reasons, centers believe it is best to tackle other possibilities so that the patient can heal fully.
Benefits of Holistic Therapy
- Stress Reduction: Stress can be someone’s drive to drug or alcohol abuse. Holistic therapy teaches natural ways to deal with stress. Knowing various techniques to lessen or manage stress will aid your recovery process.
- Self-awareness: Holistic therapy has a way of making people create a ‘spiritual’ connection with themselves. This connection makes them more self-aware, which helps them build stronger self-esteem.
- Better overall health: Since holistic treatment targets all aspects of the body, it is easier to improve those aspects via treatment.
- Reduces chances of relapse: When dealing with the root of the problem, it is difficult for it to reemerge. Holistic therapy helps you deal with the situation and gives you a reason not to go back.
Examples of holistic therapy include art therapy, yoga, meditation, music therapy, nature therapy, acupuncture, Tai chi, massage, breathwork, etc.
Holistic therapy can help you deal with stress, addiction, work or family issues, emotional difficulties and breakdowns, anxiety, trauma, and depression. If you don’t know what caused your drug addiction or are having difficulty dealing with it, holistic therapy can assist.
Is Mental Health Treated at Addiction Clinics?
Mental evaluation is one of the assessment tests taken before treatment because of people with dual diagnoses—more than 5% of American adults with dual diagnoses of substance use disorder and mental illness.
Mental disorders can be due to drug and substance abuse and vice versa. If you are dual-diagnosed, to receive treatment of just one is asking for a relapse. Some addiction clinics specialize only in addiction treatments and might not have professionals who can deal with mental health-related issues.
To effectively treat a case of dual diagnosis, you should get a dual diagnosis expert, as not all rehabilitation centers and specialists offer dual-diagnosis treatment services.
Aren’t Rehabs Just There to Take Our Money?
Health insurance covers the fee for substance abuse rehabilitation and other mental health treatment. However, the amount the insurance will cover will depend on the insurance policy about behavioral health benefits, your needs, the treatment provider, and the like.
However, the fee does not just cover the treatment. After your treatment, the sessions will go on for a year or more to avoid relapse. And in case of relapse, you will get treatment free of charge with all the necessary benefits. Rehabilitation centers aim to help you, giving more value than you can pay for.
Are Interventions as Useful as They Show on TV?
For effective results, intervention is hardly the go-to option. Interventions are pretty invasive, and they can ask questions that make the patient withdraw further. Whether it is a case of first-time treatment or relapse, it is best to speak to a specialist first to help you. This is not to say expert interventionists are not needed because expert interventions help convince someone who doesn’t want to go to treatment.
Should You Reach Out to a Specialist?
You can treat Drug addictions and drug abuse with your determination and with the help of an addiction specialist. Being in therapy does not confirm the common stereotype; instead, it shows how strong you are in taking a step toward being better. Reach out to an addiction specialist today to receive tailored addiction help which can assist you and your family mend broken relationships, improving your social standing, and rediscovering the joys of living a sober life.
