Different substance use disorders also require different approaches to treatment. While those who struggle with an addiction to heroin might benefit from medication-assisted treatment, for example, those who are working to overcome a stimulant addiction might require a different approach. Our Portland, ME substance abuse treatment programs will help you or your loved one find the path to lasting recovery.
What Are Substance Use Disorders?
Substance use disorders (SUDs), commonly referred to as addictions, are chronic diseases characterized by compulsive use of a substance. Both psychological and physical dependency are part of substance use disorders. Those who are addicted to a certain substance might experience physical withdrawal symptoms like nausea or headaches. For other substances, the withdrawal symptoms may be life-threatening.
Individuals struggling with substance use disorders will continue to use drugs or drink alcohol despite negative consequences. Over time, substance abuse will cause changes in the brain that make it even more difficult to stop. However, substance abuse treatment programs can help. These programs are designed to address the unique factors that make it difficult to stop using each substance.
Types of Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
Many different types of substances as well as certain behaviors can be addicting. At Casco Bay Recovery, two of the most common types of addictions we treat are alcohol addiction and opioid addiction. Our substance abuse treatment programs also treat the two most addictive substances: heroin and cocaine.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Alcohol’s widespread availability and prevalence in American culture have led millions to struggle with alcohol addiction. If you are addicted to alcohol, also referred to as an alcohol use disorder (AUD), you know how hard it can be to stop drinking when those around you still do. However, an alcohol addiction treatment program offers specialized support and therapies to help you avoid relapse.
Typical AUD Treatment Approaches
Detox and withdrawal: Individuals with severe AUD will likely need a medically supervised detox and withdrawal period before receiving treatment. This usually occurs in a detox facility or a hospital and may take 2 to 7 days.
Psychological counseling: Individual and group therapy help people understand their problems with alcohol and help with recovery from the psychological features of AUD. Family therapy can also be an important aspect of the recovery process.
Medications: Medications that aid in AUD recovery and help prevent relapse include:
- Naltrexone – blocks the pleasurable feelings of alcohol
- Disulfiram (Antabuse) – produces unpleasant physical reactions if you drink alcohol
- Acamprosate – helps ease alcohol cravings
Continuing support: helps people recovering from AUD cope with lifestyle changes and manage any relapses. It might include medical or psychological care or attending a support group.
Drug Addiction Treatment
Illicit drugs like meth or heroin aren’t the only kinds of addictive drugs. Many prescription medications, such as opioid pain relievers, stimulants, or benzos, also have the potential for abuse. The diagnosis of prescription drug abuse is usually based on the individual’s medical history and answers to other questions.
Treatment: The options for prescription drug abuse vary depending on the type of drug used and the person’s needs.
Detox and withdrawal: may be needed depending on the drug and its use.
Counseling: helps to determine what factors led to the abuse, such as underlying mental health issues or relationship problems. Also helps the person learn the skills necessary to resist cravings, build positive relationships, and what to do if a relapse happens.
Heroin Addiction Treatment
Heroin is responsible for a vast number of overdose deaths in the United States. Our approach to heroin addiction treatment here at our Maine drug rehabilitation center involves group and individual therapy as well as holistic therapies to help clients prevent relapse in the future.
Scientific research has confirmed that pharmacological (medication) treatment of opioid use disorder decreases the following:
- drug use
- spreading of infectious diseases
- criminal activity
Typical Heroin Use Disorder (HUD) Treatment
Detox and withdrawal are typically needed by people who are addicted to opioids like heroin when they quit. Heroin withdrawal symptoms may be severe and need medical supervision.
Medications that help ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and block the actions of opioids are:
- naltrexone (Vivitrol)
- buprenorphine (Subutex)
- methadone (Dolophine)
Behavioral therapies help people recognize faulty thinking patterns and how their behavior is affected. These are particularly effective when used with medications.
Benzo Addiction Treatment
Benzos are prescription drugs that are frequently abused. Medications used to treat sleep disorders and anxiety can be addictive so it’s vital to find a treatment program that addresses the underlying conditions as well as the addiction.
Treatment
Detox and withdrawal may involve either gradual benzodiazepine withdrawal or maintenance treatment. The dose should be reduced gradually to lower the risk of seizures.
Therapy to discover what led to the addiction and address any co-occurring conditions. Pharmacotherapy has some effectiveness in benzo withdrawal. Anticonvulsants may be prescribed if the person is not dependent on other drugs.
Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Cocaine is a popular party drug that can be addictive. To break free of cocaine addiction, look for a treatment program at a Maine drug rehabilitation center such as Casco Bay that offers consistent support and customized treatment plans.
Detox and withdrawal usually have no visible physical symptoms such as the shaking and withdrawal that are seen in alcohol or heroin withdrawal. But there can be powerful, intense cravings for cocaine.
There are no FDA-approved treatments for cocaine addiction, however, disulfiram used to treat AUD, is showing some effectiveness in reducing cocaine use. Behavioral therapies have proven to be effective in both outpatient and residential settings.
Opioid and Opiate Addiction Treatment
Both prescription and illicit opioids can quickly cause dependency. It’s important to follow your doctor’s orders when taking prescription pain relievers and to reach out for help if you begin using opioids in ways other than prescribed. Misuse of opioids includes:
- Taking medication in a different way than prescribed
- Using medication that was prescribed for someone else
- Taking a larger dose than prescribed
- Using the drug for a different purpose, such as getting “high.”
Treatment for illegal and prescription opioids is the same as treatment for heroin addiction, including:
- Assisted detox and withdrawal
- Behavioral therapies
- medications
Meth Addiction Treatment
Meth is incredibly addictive. Even just one use can lead to dependency and addiction. To overcome meth addiction, it’s important to have the support of an experienced team.
Treatment for Methamphetamine Addiction
Detox and withdrawal are usually the first steps in treatment. Due to the terrible withdrawal symptoms, medical assistance is usually necessary. Behavioral therapy focuses on shifting behaviors to stop unhealthy patterns. There is currently no effective medication available for this disorder.
The Importance of Personalized Treatment
Individualized or personalized medicine is becoming more popular. And so, there are opportunities for more correctness in drug abuse treatment programs and psychiatry. This indicates a focus on the patient’s personal characteristics and a better selection of treatment approaches. This helps increase positive outcomes and reduce costs.
The foundation for personalized medicine is the realization that addiction is a complicated disorder. Therefore, treatment options for addiction depend on several things including:
- The type of addiction
- The length and severity of use
- The effects on the person
A medical professional will also treat for any physical complications that have developed from the addiction. Examples are liver disease in a person with AUD or respiratory problems in people with an addiction to substances that have been smoked. Most people experiencing addiction will receive a combination of methods because none of the treatments will work for every person.
Counseling and Therapy
Therapy at a Maine drug rehabilitation center might be one-to-one, group, or family, depending on what the individual needs. Of course, any underlying mental conditions are considered when choosing therapy approaches.
Medications
The type of addiction being treated, any co-occurring mental issues, and the person’s physical condition are the primary considerations in the use of pharmacotherapy.
Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
There are several types of programs that can provide a therapeutic environment. These programs are chosen depending on the needs of the patient.
- Residential (long- or short-term)–This is for individuals who need 24-hour care and supervision in a treatment facility.
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)– PHPs are technically outpatient programs because individuals attending PHPs can go home in the evening. However, such individuals will typically spend 5 to 7 days a week, 6 to 8 hours per day, at the treatment facility.
- Intensive Outpatient Programs – These programs provide intensive treatment at rehab facilities for approximately three to four hours a day, a few days a week. IOPs do not require their patients to live in rehab facilities while receiving care.
- Standard Outpatient Programs – Standard outpatient programs only require their patients to attend rehab for a couple of hours a day, a couple of days a week. Thus, OPs are for people with milder substance use disorders.
- Dual diagnosis treatment – Individuals who suffer from a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health disorder are said to have a dual diagnosis. It’s important to treat both substance use and mental health disorders at the same time during treatment, preferably by the same treatment team. Many treatment facilities are not prepared to do this though. Our Maine drug rehabilitation center here at Casco Bay is though.
The Casco Bay Recovery Difference
Casco Bay Recovery is the premier Maine drug rehabilitation center in the Portland area. This is because our welcoming and supportive environment is the ideal place for residents of Maine and beyond to come to heal and rebuild their lives. Our client-centered approach to treatment focuses on relapse prevention.
While relapse is a common part of the recovery journey for many individuals, we believe that with the right resources and consistent support, a sustainable recovery is possible. Through both evidence-based therapies and holistic approaches to treatment, Casco Bay Recovery helps those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction to change their lives.
Receive Drug Rehabilitation in Portland, Maine Today at Casco Bay Recovery
At Casco Bay, we understand that you are unique and deserve a treatment program created uniquely for you. You will have a team of licensed medical professionals, counselors, and addiction specialists to help you along your recovery journey.
Connect with us online to verify your insurance, learn more about our programs, and begin the admissions process. If you have questions, we are more than happy to answer them, or just talk if you need to.
Contact Us Today
Reach out to our team today at (844) 940-4407 or connect with us online to verify your insurance, learn more about our programs, and begin the admissions process.
References
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-treatments-heroin-use-disorde
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4657308/
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/h