When a person has a drug addiction, he or she will need to receive some form of treatment. If the individual does not receive treatment for the addiction, they run the risk of suffering many health problems. In the past year, more than 19,000 people died from a drug addiction that was left untreated. Based on information from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 23.6 million people over the age of 12 have required treatment for a drug addiction. Of these, only 2.5 million received drug treatment is a treatment facility. There are various methods of treatment available, depending on the type of substance the person is addicted to and how long the addiction has lasted.

• Scientific research has shown that treatment can help patients with an addiction recover from their addiction and avoid relapse.
• Addiction is a treatable disease that affects the functioning of the brain.
• Not every person will respond to the same type of treatment or addiction help.
• Effective treatment will address different areas, not just the drug addiction.
• There are different ways patients can get help for their addiction and treatment does not always have to be voluntary for it to be effective.

Getting Help for Drug Addictions

The first step to recovering from a drug addiction is realizing there is an addiction. More than 30 percent of drug addicts do not even believe they have an addiction. With the right type of treatment and support, more than 80 percent of all addicts will be able to overcome their drug addiction and lead a healthy life. Getting help for an addiction is not a difficult thing to do. In fact, if the addict has a supportive family, they are already on their way to recovery. Studies have indicated that 76 percent of drug addicts who have support at home recover faster than those who do not. No matter what kind of drug rehab is selected for the drug addiction, there are seven steps that all addicts will go through on their path to recovery:

1.     Deciding to make a change

2.     Exploring options for treatment

3.     Reaching out for support

4.     Learning new and healthy ways to cope with stressful situations

5.     Learning how to keep cravings and triggers in check

6.     Building a drug-free lifestyle

7.     Avoiding a relapse when things get tough

Drug Addiction Help Options

Once a person admits they need help, there are many different rehab types to choose from. There are some addicts who can actually recover from their addiction on their own, with the help and support of friends and family members. This is usually most effective when the addiction is mild. Statistics have shown that people who are addicted to marijuana can benefit from support from loved ones and friends. In a survey of 100 marijuana addicts, 67 used family support as a means of treatment for their addiction and successfully recovered.

For other addicts, the choice may not be that simple. When people are addicted to other drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, they will need a different treatment method. In these cases, the patient will receive effective treatment from a treatment center. When a patient goes to a center for addiction help, they will receive various services that will help them through the stages of recovery. There are two types of treatment methods available at treatment centers: inpatients and outpatient.

• Inpatient treatment is beneficial to patients who are addicted to more than one substance and have had an addiction for a long time.
• Inpatient treatment will last between three and five months.
• In 2006, the US reported 1.8 million admissions for the treatment of substance abuse. Of these admissions, 18 percent were for heroin and opiate addictions.
• Outpatient treatment works best for people with mild addictions, such as marijuana and alcohol.
• Each patient, regardless of whether they are inpatient or outpatient, will have their own treatment plan in place.
• Getting treatment at a treatment center is one of the best ways to overcome an addiction. It was reported that 89 percent of addicts who receive treatment at a facility have overcome their addiction and have not relapsed.
• Treatment is available for any type of drug addiction.
• People between the ages of 20 and 24 account for 14.4 percent of the total number of people in treatment.