Treating drug addiction. Ways to improve the successful rate of rehabilitation (PDF)

Scientific Essay from the year 2016 in the subject Health - Miscellaneous, grade: 1, Egerton University, language: English, abstract: Drug addiction refers to a dependence on a medication or illegal substance. Addicted people are unable to control the usage of drugs and continue using the substance despite the obvious harms associated with their behavior. Normally, drug addiction causes an intense craving for the substance making it hard for addicted people quit such behaviors.

Drug addiction causes long-term consequences such physical and mental health, strained relationships, law and employments problems. The affected persons are encouraged to inform their doctors, support groups, friends and families in order to overcome their addiction and stay safe. Some of the commonly abused drugs include; heroin, cocaine, bhang and alcohol. The treatment option for drug addiction within medical establishments depends on various factors such the type of the drug and how its affects the user.

Treatment in many medical establishments combines psychotherapy services, inpatient and outpatient programs, self-help groups and sponsors. The treatment options aim at reducing dependency and restore normal lives of addicts. Specifically, heroin addiction is caused by both social and psychological factors. For instance, unpleasant feelings, stress and pressure can contribute to heroin addiction.

According to National Institute of Drug Abuse, factors such as cultural beliefs, drug availability and lack of education deficit can also contribute to heroin addiction. In the current world, heroin addiction is treated using various drugs namely; methadone, clonidine, buprenorphine and naltrexone. This paper explores the heroin treatment methods, problems faced, the most effective method and the way to improve the successful rate of rehabilitation.