What does treatment consist of? What aids in successful treatment?

One of the main steps to the treatment process is to achieve complete abstinence from the substance being misused. For many, this step becomes quite a challenge to accept because the substances being misused may have highly addictive properties and serious physical withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the type and amount of drug being used, the duration of time the drug was used, and the physical and psychological response of the individual using the drug, the detoxification process may also have to be involved in treatment. The goal of detoxification is to not only protect the individual from complications associated with withdrawal but also minimize the level of discomfort.

To help with the abstinence process, treatment also consists of in-patient and outpatient services. While in-patient treatment centers allow for more medical attention related to the dependency, out-patient treatment centers allow for individuals to continue a normal day to day lifestyle. Within the in-patient and out-patient centers, individuals use group and individual therapy to help in the process of overcoming chemical dependency. Once a treatment center program is complete, individuals may also use “aftercare” services or continuing care to maintain the recovery process.

Another important part of successful treatment includes the use of self-help groups. Using self-help groups such as Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous allows for individuals to talk about their addiction stories while surrounded by a supportive group of people. Healthcare professionals may also use Employee Assistance Programs to receive individual and confidential assistance concerning issues with overcoming substance misuse in the workplace. Designed to be a safe haven where employees can talk openly without management being informed, Employee Assistance Programs may be an alternative form of treatment for healthcare professionals to use.

Even though legal action is sometimes involved to initiate treatment, the healthcare profession aims more at providing alternative ways of treatment rather than relying on disciplinary action to achieve recovery. In 1982, the American Nurses Association created a resolution which urged states to create “peer assistance programs” for healthcare professionals to use (Haack, & Hughes, 1989). Using the peer assistance programs as an alternative to discipline programs, healthcare providers are able to focus more on treatment services rather than worry about losing their position as a healthcare professional.

In order to understand the treatment process and promote successful treatment, people have to realize treatment has to be individualized. Needs are different for every person. While some people may just need a strong sense of support which they may receive from self-help groups and other colleagues, other people may need a lot of in-patient treatment time and a change in profession to overcome the dependency. For healthcare professionals, it is important to find treatment that understands healthcare professional’s unique problems with substance abuse.

Another important concept to recognize about treatment is that treatment is a long term process. Both the National Institute of Health and the National Institute on Drug Abuse support the idea of long term treatment (Fogger, & McGuinness, 2009). Treatment and recovery cannot be expected to be achieved in a matter of months; often times it takes years of continual efforts to remain substance free. People cannot expect the treatment process to always be successful on the first attempt at recovery; preparations also have to be made for the possibility of relapse.

With the help of successful and on-going treatment, individuals can overcome a substance abuse problem.

To see what Rebecca Mason, RN, CNS, CEAP, has to say about successful treatment, please view the VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phBN33tQ5pM


*To learn more about available self help groups, view:

Alcoholics Anonymous (http://www.aa.org/) or Narcotics Anonymous (http://www.ne.org/)

*To View UVa Health System's Employee Assistance Program:
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/feap/home.cfm

Resources:
Fogger, S, & McGuinness, T. (2009). Alabama's nurse monitoring programs: the nurse's experience of being monitored. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 20(3), 142-149.

Haack, M R, & Hughes, T L. (1989). Addiction in the nursing profession. New York: Springer Publishing Company.