Even as millions of Americans struggle with abuse of one substance or the other every year, very few of them seek treatment for their problem, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has found out. As per SAMHSA's 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), although 21 million people aged 12 or older needed treatment in the past year, only about 3.8 million sought it. In the age group of 12-17, 1.1 million needed treatment for substance abuse but only 0.7 percent of them got it.
Most long-time drug users show reluctance in entering into rehabilitation. They fear that they would have to abstain completely during their stay. Even those who are keen on forfeiting their habits find it hard to adjust to the "no substance abuse policy" from day one. Complete abstinence implies avoiding not only drugs, but also people and places that remind the users of former times.
Shift towards moderation
In recent times, the new way of dealing with the opioid crisis is moderation. In a radical policy shift, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been encouraging the use of alternative drugs, such as methadone and buprenorphine, against the common belief of complete abstinence. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb recently mooted a proposal that would facilitate treatment with an opioid substitute for life, if necessary, for all those who suffer a nonfatal overdose. In fact, in Massachusetts, more than 50 percent decrease was witnessed in the risk of death from overdose among patients treated with methadone or buprenorphine after a nonfatal overdose. Gottlieb cited the data to substantiate his point.
Not just opioids, but also other means of substance abuse such as alcohol show better results when moderation is practiced rather than total abstinence. A 2012 paper on problem drinkers favored moderation management in "cognitive restructuring and behavioral self-control enhancement."
Some of the advantages of following a moderation policy are as follows:
Gets more people to the door: The policy encourages more people to attend a rehab program. Many patients believe that the purpose of a treatment should be to rectify problematic behaviors rather than forcing abstinence.
Helps distinguish between chronic and experimental use: Most college students experiment with drugs and alcohol due to different reasons. Though it is a risky practice and involves risk of getting addicted gradually, not every adolescent who experiments with a drug or a cocktail develops a substance use disorder. Warning a teen about following abstinence arouses further curiosity and in all probability, he or she will indulge more.
Fence-sitters more likely to seek help: Those with a neutral opinion about whether to opt for treatment are more likely to seek help if moderation is advised. However, with time, they may realize the advantages of staying sober and willingly choose a life of sobriety instead of being forced to adopt one.
Being allowed to use a less potent drug provides comfort: Methadone and buprenorphine are used to treat opioid addiction in some cases. They suppress the withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings by working on the same reward centers in the brain affected by other drugs. Whether the drug seekers are aware of this or not, they may be relieved to know that their drug habit is not fully curtailed.
Increased probability of a person continuing with the treatment: A person who is given the option of moderation is more likely to continue with the treatment than the one without.
Road to recovery
Addiction to any addictive substance like prescription drugs, illicit drugs or alcohol can be treated and detoxification is the first step. It is important in helping a patient respond positively to medication and therapies by cleansing his or her body of the toxins. Detox can be successful only when it is practiced under the supervision of a mental health expert. Self-detox can be dangerous, or even fatal.
The Colorado Detox Helpline is a trusted resource that provides credible information about various detox centers in Colorado offering specialized recovery programs. Call our 24/7 helpline 866-730-5807 for further information.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Barbara_Odozi/2218626
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