Substance Abuse and Recovery
Addiction is increasingly understood as a neurobiological illness where repetitive substance abuse corrupts normal reward and adaptive behaviors causing drug-induced neurochemicals changes. Substance abusers can have a tremendously negative affect on those around them, i.e. friends, family, employers, and other extended relationships. It seems that nearly every weekend we hear in the news about fatalities due to drunken driving accidents. Those most directly affected by alcohol and drug abuse look toward researchers to continue to create the medications to help reorganize the systems that have been distressed from prolonged periods of abuse / misuse. Lately, the newer methods used to reduce alcohol and drug cravings; include vaccines, injections, and other daily or weekly type medications are extremely useful in the beginning and mid-stages of supporting abstinence but can not be the only resource. Your treatment care provider can assist you in deciding which method is best for your specific need. We repeatedly look at the many ways the medications have consistently created a positive affect at onset but later see that they are back to the old drinking and using behaviors. Remember, the goal is sustaining abstinence and the eventual maintenance of a balanced life style. Here is how to sustain and balance; if the medication that stopped your craving is working, keep it up, stay on board with your MD, psychiatrist, and other mental health care provider, if you are in an outpatient program ask your treatment team how long they think you need to keep going, if you are on your way out of inpatient follow the advice of your treatment team/ treatment plan. Be consistent after treatment and maintain a schedule of group support or 12 step meetings that may help your recovery/ treatment. If you have DUI class/ alternative sentencing or other alcohol and drug classes maintain clear and concise schedule for yourself and your class facilitator. If returning to work schedule accordingly so it will not interfere with any of the classes, meetings, medical or therapeutic sessions. Most importantly remember that the treatment plan you have is one that was you agreed to and trained professionals believe will work. If you feel that things are not working ask for help as soon as possible.
