Treating prescription drug addiction Years of research have shown that addiction to any drug (illicit or prescribed) is a brain disease that can be treated effectively. Treatment must take into account the type of drug used and the needs of the individual. Successful treatment may need to incorporate several components, including detoxification, counseling, and sometimes the use of addiction medications. Multiple courses of treatment may be needed for the patient to make a full recovery. The two main categories of drug addiction treatment are behavioral and pharmacological. Behavioral treatments help patients stop drug use by teaching them strategies to function without drugs, deal with cravings, avoid drugs and situations that could lead to drug use, and handle a relapse should it occur. When delivered effectively, behavioral treatments, such as individual counseling, group or family counseling, contingency management, and cognitivebehavioral therapies, also can help patients improve their personal relationships and their ability to function at work and in the community. Some addictions, such as opioid addiction, can be treated with medications. These pharmacological treatments counter the effects of the drug on the brain and behavior, and can be used to relieve withdrawal symptoms, help overcome drug cravings, or treat an overdose. Although a behavioral or pharmacological approach alone may be sufficient for treating some patients, research shows that a combined approach may be best.

Treating
prescription
drug addiction

Years of research have shown
that addiction to any drug (illicit
or prescribed) is a brain disease
that can be treated effectively.
Treatment must take into account
the type of drug used and the
needs of the individual. Successful
treatment may need to incorporate
several components, including
detoxification, counseling, and
sometimes the use of addiction
medications. Multiple courses of
treatment may be needed for the
patient to make a full recovery.
The two main categories of
drug addiction treatment are
behavioral and pharmacological.
Behavioral treatments help patients
stop drug use by teaching them
strategies to function without
drugs, deal with cravings, avoid
drugs and situations that could
lead to drug use, and handle a
relapse should it occur. When
delivered effectively, behavioral
treatments, such as individual
counseling, group or family
counseling, contingency
management, and cognitivebehavioral
therapies, also can help
patients improve their personal
relationships and their ability
to function at work and in the
community.
Some addictions, such
as opioid addiction, can be
treated with medications. These
pharmacological treatments
counter the effects of the drug
on the brain and behavior, and
can be used to relieve withdrawal
symptoms, help overcome drug
cravings, or treat an overdose.
Although a behavioral or
pharmacological approach alone
may be sufficient for treating some
patients, research shows that a
combined approach may be best.