Some Information On Heroin Treatment Utah County Patients Should Have

Posted by Unknown on 12:03 AM with No comments
By Daniel Gray


Heroin is a banned substance in virtually every country in the world. It is arguably the most addictive drug. In spite of the difficulty that is associated with breaking free from the addiction, more and more addicts are successfully being rehabilitated. Among the most important prerequisites for one to succeed are a strong will to quit, self-discipline and a strong social support structure. There are a number of things on heroin treatment Utah county residents need to know.

The therapies that exist are many but are broadly divided into two main groups: drugs and behavioral therapies. These treatments may be offered singly or in combination. The first step in treatment is what is termed detoxification (chemical withdrawal). It involves an intense process of stopping the use of the substance and is associated with serious side effects such as joint pains, nausea, and chills. It is for this reason that inpatient management is recommended.

Heroin causes dependence among users such that it becomes almost impossible to live without it. For this reason, the drugs of choice have an effect that is similar to those of the substance. Methadone is among the most popular options. Others are naltrexone and buprenorphine. The drugs are usually started as soon as the heroin is stopped and continued for a period of time. The dose is tapered gradually over several months before being stopped completely to avoid the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms.

The second stage is the therapy proper. It mainly entails counseling the individual by enrolling them for individual and group therapy. Individual therapy is designed to provide an opportunity to the addict to open up about their problem in a private setting. Group therapy, on the other hand, is useful in helping affected individuals interact with each and share their coping skills during these interactions.

One of the trends that have been adopted is the use of residential houses to act as rehabilitation centers. The home typically houses a group of patients that are being treated for the same problem. This provides an opportunity to hold group therapy sessions easily. A number of recreational activities such as swimming, biking, running and hiking are used to reduce stress levels which in turn quickens the recovery process.

After the therapy stage, the patient will enter what is referred to as the maintenance stage. This is the longest of the three and is usually done on an outpatient basis. The client will be scheduled to attend rehabilitation clinics regularly to be assessed by the doctor. If possible, they should be enrolled into support groups (narcotics anonymous) to reduce the chances of relapsing.

Behavioral therapy is focused on modifying the behavior of the affected individual with the aim of reducing their likelihood of indulgence in heroin abuse. Behaviors that contribute to an increased risk are discouraged while those that reduce the desire are encouraged. Cognitive behavior therapy is used in identifying both behaviors and thoughts causing this problem so as to institute the most appropriate interventions.

Heroin addiction is difficult to handle both for the addict and their therapist. This is because there is a high degree of dependence and the associated withdrawal symptoms are almost unbearable. It has been observed that the only sure way of dealing with this problem us to adopt a multi-pronged approach. Such an approach incorporates the modification of behavioral patterns as drugs are being administered.




About the Author: