Drug abuse is a disease of the mind that impairs judgment, socialization, and growth. Those who abuse drugs do not feel the normal stresses of life. It is not uncommon for those abusing drugs to develop symptoms of mental illness, paranoia, depression, and violent behavior. They are often unable to control their behavior.
Drug abuse treatment is a combination of medicinal and therapeutic treatment intended to help drug abusers improve their lives. The medical aspects of treatment are usually assisted by drug abuse rehabilitation centers. A drug abuse rehabilitation program may include individual and group counseling; life skills training; family therapy; and drug education. Rehabilitation programs provide assistance with medications development program, detoxification procedures and counseling. The goal of treatment is to help patients understand the causes of their addiction and develop an addiction-sensitive personality.
Individuals who are trying to kick the habit on their own need professional guidance and psychiatric assistance. Many rehab centers offer inpatient care and residential programs to assist individuals in controlling their drug abuse. There are several national and state laws that protect addicts and prescribe quality treatment. The following is a look at some of the resources that are provided to individuals in need of drug abuse treatment.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is an agency of the federal government. NIDA’s clinical research program conducts studies that focus on methods of preventing drug abuse and addiction. They also conduct clinical trials to test new strategies and identify new medication management techniques. NIDA’s goal is to reduce the number and severity of drug abuse and the associated criminal consequences.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). SAMHSA is a Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Their primary function is to ensure that the nation’s drug prevention and treatment programs are the best in the nation. Among their primary goals is the establishment of national, regional, and local coordinating assemblies to expand access to substance abuse treatment, strengthen community-based treatment, increase access to medical treatment, and develop preventative measures for the public about the risks, benefits, and limitations of drug prevention and treatment. SAMHSA also conducts clinical trials to test new ways to provide mental health services and prescribe new medications to improve substance abuse treatment. SAMHSA supports state and local alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs and educates individuals and families about the disease and recovery from alcoholism.
The National Narcotics Control and Treatment Act (Narcotics Act) authorize states to develop and implement programs for the treatment of drug and alcohol addicts. The act also provides funds for the prevention and treatment of all forms of substance abuse. Many of these funds are directly received from the Federal government, but some are obtained through contracts with individual state or local agencies and NARs (national associations concerning drug abuse). Many state and local drug abuse programs receive financial assistance from SAMHSA under the provisions of the National Abstinence Education Program (NAEP), which is a partnership between the three main NARs – the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
SAMHSA has also formed the National Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment (NOSAT) Program. SAMHSA also collaborates closely with other nationally-known organizations such as the American Medical Association, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, and Business (NASM), the National Academy of Professional Responsibility, and the National Association for Alcoholism and Addiction. These collaborations have produced an overwhelming body of literature demonstrating the serious negative consequences of untreated substance abuse. In particular, SAMHSA and the other NASMs have concluded that substance abuse should be considered a serious public health problem with significant societal and public health consequences. The goal of NASM is to promote responsible alcohol consumption, promote family-focused treatment, provide scientific evidence-based prevention information, provide treatment planning and referral services, and expand community-based treatment options.
Many people who are trying to kick the habit turn to short-term treatments like counseling, education, or medication. Many of these treatment programs are supported by local medical facilities or substance abuse treatment centers. However, there are many people suffering from addiction who are unable to locate any type of assistance. For these individuals, there are national support organizations such as 12-step Narcotics Anonymous that provide a number of support resources such as online chat rooms and message boards, telephone hotlines, and volunteer programs.