There are many causes of addiction, and one’s emotional state can be a critical issue in addiction. (1) When an individual is in a dark place, drugs start to become more alluring, and the convenience of availability in the neighborhood can contribute to the temptations. Here, we explore possible solutions to the traps of addiction.
Pharmaceutical Therapies (2)
Opioid Addiction:
- Methadone – prevents withdrawal, reduce cravings, and inhibits effects of opioids
- Buprenorphine – reduces withdrawal symptoms
- Naltrexone – prevents effects of opioids
Tobacco Addiction:
- Nicotine replacements – patch, spray, gum, etc.
- Bupropin – reduces cravings
- Varenicline – prevents effects of nicotine
Alcohol Addiction:
- Naltrexone – prevents pleasurable effects of alcohol
- Acamprosate – reduces withdrawal symptoms
- Disulfiram – produces unpleasant reaction to alcohol (nausea, etc.)
Behavioral Therapies (3)
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy – identify and correct behaviors related to drug use, develop coping strategies for future problems, recognize risky situations to avoid them, and become aware of cravings to control them
- Contingency Management Interventions/Motivational Incentives – rewards patients when they are abstinent, vouchers (monetary award every time the drug test is passed), and chances to win cash prizes the more the patient participates in treatment
- Community Reinforcement Approach with Vouchers – 24-week outpatient therapy, weekly counseling sessions, replace drug use with recreational activities, receive vouchers for drug-free urine tests, medicine used when needed to reduce withdrawal, improve family relations, and learn skills to avoid drug use
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy – uses self-motivation therapy sessions to motivate the user to stop their drug use, monitor change, and encourages abstinence
- 12-Step Facilitation Therapy – Three steps: acceptance of drug addiction, surrender to authority, and active involvement in meetings and activities
- Family B3ehavior Therapy – addresses drug use problems related to family conflicts, depression, and unemployment. Behavioral goals are discussed with at least one significant other.
Alternative Treatments
- Meditation – shown to decrease negative emotions and increase self-control (4)
- “Romantic Love” – exogenous administration of Oxytocin improves cognitive control and social cognition to overcome drug cravings and compulsions (5) Read more in-depth here.
Overall, there are about 3 different avenues of treatment one can go into, or all at once. Pharmacological treatments offer immediate relief from cravings or immediate displeasure when using the drug. Behavioral therapies offer emotional support and techniques to overcome addiction. Alternative treatments focus more on the subjective individual’s ability to overcome their own addictions.
The supervised detoxification and residential treatment program at the Asana Recovery Center incorporates a variety of different therapy techniques that can help those struggling with any stage of addiction. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our drug and alcohol addiction program today.
Resources:
1. Kelly, T. H., & Bardo, M. T. (2016, June 01). Emotion regulation and drug abuse: Implications for prevention and treatment. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Volume 163, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871616001095?_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_origin=gateway&_docanchor=&md5=b8429449ccfc9c30159a5f9ae aa92ffb
2 & 3. Principles of drug addiction treatment. [electronic resource]: a research-based guide. (2012). [Rockville, Md.]: National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
4. Tang, Y., Tang, R., & Posner, M. I. (2016, June 1). Mindfulness meditation improves emotion regulation and reduces drug abuse. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Volume 163 (1), https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871616001174
5. Zhiling, Z., Hongwen, S., Yuting, Z., & Xiaochu, Z. (2016). Romantic love v.s. drug addiction may inspire a new treatment for addiction. Frontiers In Psychology, Vol 7 (2016), doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01436/full
