Treating Drug Abuse

Drug abuse by an individual can produce a ripple effect throughout society, beginning with the drug abuser and moving through every part of society. At home, drug abuse can lead to violence, physical and mental abuse, separation of couples, financial disasters, and emotional and behavioral problems in children. At work, drug abuse can result in strained relationships with employers and coworkers, theft, and loss of a job. Drug abusers feeding an addiction may also steal money and property from local businesses and individuals in a desperate attempt to respond to their addiction or while in the midst of a drug use.

Convictions stemming from drug-related arrests can have far-reaching effects. The drug addict serving time may stop using while incarcerated but does not learn to properly manage an addiction. In fact, statistics show more than 80 percent of offenders do not receive treatment while behind bars. Once released from jail or prison, the untreated addict is more likely to repeat the criminal behavior. The child of a drug addict is also vulnerable to developing a substance abuse problem or other physical or behavioral issues.

Early intervention is an essential element of reducing the risk of drug abuse in the child of an addict, while effective treatment provided to an addict can also positively impact family members by restoring an individual’s good physical health and mental well-being. Treatment also lowers the risk of chronic relapse and criminal behavior, and can reduces drug use dramatically, if not eliminating it all together.

Addicts and family members attempting to effectively respond to addiction and overcome its effects can benefit from a better understanding of a particular addiction and the function of treatment. Addiction affects an individual’s brain and body chemistry, often for a period long after drug use and abuse ends. Behavior may be uncontrollable if an addict does not learn how to manage it or does not undergo treatment. In addition, relapse is a normal part of any recovery process, especially if the process solely consists of detox or jail time.

Once in treatment, the chance of achieving full recovery increases with a long-term commitment to ending the relationship with the drug of choice and carefully managing the behaviors that might lead one back to drug use, such as associating with known drug users. Treatment at a long-term facility allows an addict a sufficient amount of time to learn and incorporate new strategies and solutions in order to make healthy choices once treatment ends.

Following treatment for addiction alone or addiction and accompanying mental disorders, ongoing therapy is beneficial for the recovering addict. In addition, family counseling may be necessary to repair relationships damaged by previous drug abuse. Continuous family support during treatment and throughout the recovery process can also lead to positive results for the addict and his or her family.

If you have a loved one who has experienced a chronic relapse due to drug abuse and addiction, help is available today. Burning Tree provides drug and alcohol treatment at two long-term residential facilities in Texas, outside of Dallas and Austin, serving individuals from all 50 states. Contact an admissions representative at Burning Tree by calling 866-287-2877 or visit www.burningtree.com.