Drug Addicts Removed from Negative Environment More Likely to Recover from Addiction
A drug addiction can be a hard thing to overcome, which is why so many addicts will relapse after completing a number of successful treatment programs. While these individuals often leave therapy convinced they are ready to change, but re-entry into the same environment where the drugs became a problem in the first place can be the catalyst that starts the relapse.
The Vietnam News posted a story where a staggering statistic showed that the current relapse rate under common treatment is 98 percent. Whether the cause is the overwhelming drug craving or an overwhelming environment, helping a person “get back to normal” appears to have the opposite effect on recovery.
To address this problem, new treatment programs are being developed that along with specific techniques and the coordination of friends, family and social workers to aid the recovery process and keep addicts away from the environment that leads to drug use and abuse. These programs enable people to stay off drugs for longer.
When participating in this program, drug addicts work through three successive steps: the first is medication to stop using heroin; the second is a program of manual works to occupy the patient during the cravings; and the third is to combine behavioral therapies, counseling and other supportive services at home.
According to Vu Thi Bich Viet, vice chairwoman of the province’s People Committee, this program goes against the common belief in society that addiction is a criminal disease. Viet says that it is a learned behavior that can be corrected.
This particular treatment procedure has been in place for the past 13 years. During this time, there were 3,300 people going through the program. Of these individuals, 1,140 remained drug free for more than four years.
“This result signals a positive sign as the relapse rate of other programs within the first four years often centers around 60 percent or more,” Viet said. “Family and friends clear away the drug addicts’ fear and anxiety, build confidence and thus change their negative habits into positive actions.”
Tags: environment
