What exactly is drug addiction treatment? Addiction is a mental disease characterized by uncontrolled or compulsive drug seeking and consumption despite negative changes and detrimental effects on the brain. The main symptoms of drug abuse are withdrawal symptoms anxiety insomnia poor health and social isolation. It can take months to recover from the effects of drug abuse which makes it difficult to treat. Fortunately there are various forms of treatment available for those who suffer from addiction.
Medications are commonly prescribed as a form of drug rehab. There are many different types of drugs used as medication such as benzodiazepines anti-depressants and antidepressants. These drugs are designed to ease withdrawal symptoms that occur after someone stops their drug of choice although the medication may also have some undesirable side effects. Antipsychotic medications in particular are used to treat anxiety associated with substance abuse. Naltrexone is also commonly prescribed as it blocks the receptors of dopamine a chemical that helps the brain process pleasurable feelings. Another common drug used as therapy for drug addicts is bupropion which works by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain and preventing dopamine from being produced.
There are also other therapies available to those who suffer from addiction. Acupuncture and herbal supplements for example are often used in conjunction with psychotherapy and medications. Acupuncture is a therapeutic process whereby thin needles are placed into the skin near specific points in the body. When acupuncture is done in conjunction with medications the effect can be dramatic and people experience improved health energy and well-being. The effectiveness of acupuncture lies in the fact that it increases blood flow to the affected areas allowing nutrients and oxygen to flow freely to the body’s cells. In addition to acupuncture herbs and other plants are also effective when used as alternative forms of drug rehab. Herbs such as ginseng and ginkgo biloba have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries and both of them have been shown to be effective in assisting the mind body and spirit.
