What to Look For

A drug addiction that goes untreated can have life-threatening consequences. Some people think they can overcome their addiction without the help of a treatment program. But drug addiction is a disease that requires medical attention; willpower alone isn’t enough.

There are several types of programs that can generally be divided into two main categories – inpatient and outpatient. Inpatient programs are residential treatment centers where addicts live for anywhere from a few months to a year, depending on the severity of the addiction. Outpatient programs typically include counseling sessions and other behavioral therapy on a regular, but non-residential, basis

If you or someone you know suffers from a drug addiction, get help now. Here are some key components to consider when decided upon the best type of treatment program:

• The program must address to a person’s multiple needs – not just his drug addiction, but his family life, vocation, family history, co-existing medical conditions, and other issues that may have contributed to or been affected by the addiction.


• Treatment plans should be reviewed often and modified as needed.


• Treatment centers should not rush patients through treatment, but instead should give them adequate time not only to detox, but to learn how to live and cope without the aid of drugs


• Counseling and behavior therapy are necessary parts of any effective treatment.


• Withdrawal symptoms may need to be managed medically to minimize stress on the body; not all treatment centers are willing to do this.
• Withdrawal, or “detox,” alone does little to curb long-term drug use, so treatment programs should view it only as the first step toward recovery.


• Patients should be monitored continually for drug use.


• Patients should be assessed for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases.


• The treatment center should provide long-term continuing care, including counseling sessions. As with other chronic diseases, drug addiction is something that has to be managed for a lifetime.


• Because drug addiction is a serious disease, the staff at a treatment center should be comprised of doctors, nurses, physicians’ assistants, and professional counselors. Certification in drug and alcohol treatment is an added benefit.