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Facts Regarding Heroin Treatment American Fork Residents Need To Understand

By Donald Wallace


Heroin addiction is one of the most difficult to deal with. A good number of persons who undergo rehabilitation relapse within weeks of completion. Self-discipline and a strong social support structure are central to the success of this process. If looking for heroin treatment American Fork residents need to understand a number of things. Perhaps the most important of them is that treatment is a process rather than an event.

Treatment modalities are divided into two major categories: pharmacological and behavioral modification. These two types are often used alongside each other to increase the chances of success. Chemical withdrawal or detoxification is the first step of the treatment process. This stage is extremely intense and has to be managed in an inpatient facility. Withdrawal symptoms such as chills, nausea, muscular pains and a flu-like illness are common.

Withdrawal symptoms are usually managed by a drug known as methadone or other antagonists of heroin. The drug is started as soon as the symptoms are noticed and continued for some time. Since the drug may have withdrawal symptoms of its own, it is tapered off over weeks to months. Other alternatives that may be used include buprenorphine and naltrexone. The duration of administering the drugs depends on the severity of symptoms.

The next step in the treatment process is known as the therapy stage. During this stage, the client is put into various classes. Some are done at individual level while others are offered to a small group. Both individual and group therapy have a number of benefits. Confidentiality is one of the major benefits of individual therapy while support and problem solving is a major strength of group therapy.

One of the trends in the treatment is the use of residential homes as treatment centers for recovering addicts. The environment around such units is more relaxed than the traditional enclosed inpatient facilities. Patients get a chance to take part in various physical activities such as running, yoga, meditation, swimming and drama that help in relieving stress. The time that is required for recovery is markedly shortened.

The final step in the management is referred to as the maintenance stage. It is initiated as soon as the client returns to their family. The patient needs to visit the rehabilitation clinic on an outpatient clinic. They also need to take part in regular group therapy sessions (narcotic anonymous) and individual therapies. Family therapy is also helpful as it facilitates faster integration.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the commonest (and most effective) form of behavioral therapy that is used to solve this problem. The reason as to why it is very successful is the fact that the patients is usually involved in many of the major decisions that are made. They help in the identification of factors that are contributing to the problem and make suggestions on how to deal with it.

Heroin addiction is a problem that requires a multi-pronged approach. Since the problem is usually different for each person, the treatment should be individualized. The family should be closely involved to provide a strong support structure if the process is to be successful. The client should be evaluated regularly to determine whether they are progressing or relapsing.




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