Spontaneous remission from drug and/or alcohol addiction is rare. This is because addiction is difficult to treat. Remission from addiction is possible, however. Find out how you can get clean and stay clean.
What are the dangers associated with addiction?
Addiction and alcoholism are neurological, clinical, and progressive diseases. Left untreated, these conditions can lead to job loss, family breakdown, and possibly death. As with other serious diseases, addiction can go into remission. Many people just become fed up with their substance use and abuse, so they stop. Others achieve remission for addiction by going through rehabilitation (rehab).
Does rehab help you cease substance dependence?
At any given time, many people use a substance, but only one-fourth of them are actually dependent on the drug. The odds are that you are 3 times more likely to end your addiction than continue it, so rehabilitation is proven to work. The hardest part is picking up the phone and making a call. Our caring, compassionate staff at Pacific Bay Recovery will help you achieve remission from drug and/or alcohol use.
Can addiction successfully be treated?
Through the right rehabilitation program, yes, addiction is a treatable problem. Research shows that rehab and a good support network will help with addiction remission. However, addiction cannot be cured. For many people, addiction is a long-term problem, and much aftercare and support is required. For others, addiction goes into remission for the remainder of life.
Does relapse mean rehabilitation has failed?
Not necessarily. Because addiction is a chronic disease, relapses do happen. However, relapse does not mean remission is not possible. Relapse rates for people with substance abuse disorders are much like those with chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes. However, treatment does achieve remission.
What are the principles of effective substance use disorder treatment?
Research has proven that medication combined with therapy is the best way to achieve drug use remission. Treatment involves addressing each person’s drug use habits and patters, as well as medical, emotional, and social problems. The principles of treatment are:
- Rehabilitation – To stop using drugs, you need to complete rehab. This involves detoxification, counseling, group therapy, and medications. Substance abuse counselors tailor a plan of treatment to meet your needs. Addiction can affected may aspects of your life, so we consider the whole person during treatment.
- Treating withdrawal – A patient needs to stop using drugs, but withdrawal symptoms include sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, and restlessness. After withdrawal is treated, counseling and healing begins.
- Staying in rehab – After a few weeks, you may get the urge to leave. The best thing for you is to stay to prevent relapse. Medications will start to work, and help ward off drug cravings and calm you down.
- Preventing relapse – After going home from rehab, you need to avoid triggers and events that make you want to return to using drugs.
What medications are used to treat drug addiction?
One of the ways a good rehab center helps clients achieve remission is to use prescription medications to treat cravings and symptoms. Medications used to treat addiction include:
- Tobacco addiction – Bupropion, Varenicline, and nicotine replacement therapy.
- Opioid addiction – Methadone, Naltrexone, and Buprenorphine
- Alcohol and drug addiction – Disulfiram, Acamprostate, and Naltrexone.
Resources
Anderson, K.(2008). Spontaneous Remission from Addictive Disease Is Not Spontaneous. https://knol.google.com/k/kenneth-anderson/spontaneous-remission-from-addictive/1glfqriilriif/4#
