According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, alcohol is a more commonly abused drug in America than narcotics or opioids. A large body of research shows that nearly 40% of US adults suffer from addiction—either alcohol abuse or drug abuse. People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol can benefit from either outpatient or inpatient rehab treatment programs.
Counseling and social support, behavioral modification therapy, relapse prevention education, group and individual therapy, and medically assisted therapies may all be included as part of these programs. Programs can vary in length and intensity, depending on the severity of someone’s addiction. While many of the treatment options between drugs and alcohol are the same, there are also a few key differences.
Additionally, an estimated 20% of people in the United States who drink alcohol also use drugs, a dangerous combination of substances which can lead to a variety of life-threatening disorders or risky behaviors. To effectively treat these individuals, some rehabs have treatment options to address both types of addictions. Let’s start by examining what both alcohol and drug treatments have in common, then look at their differences.
Common Treatment Modalities for Both Alcohol and Drug Addiction
People who undergo alcohol or drug rehab need a variety of treatment modalities to help them recover from their addiction. Here are three treatment modalities that are common to both types of rehab facilities: Therapy: Counseling can be used to help people who are addicted to alcohol to stop drinking and those addicted to drugs to quit using them. Researchers and clinicians have proven that psychotherapeutic interventions help either type of addiction. As a result, both populations are commonly treated with behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, and group counseling. Medications: Both people who struggle with alcohol dependency and those who struggle with drug addiction need to stop their self-destructive behavior to recover. Since therapy alone is not enough to stop their cravings, it is essential that they both take medication to reduce chemical dependence and the risk of relapse.
A medication that helps blocks the effects of either alcohol or drugs from the body can be helpful for anyone who is willing to go through the arduous process of detoxing. The types of medications used for those dependent on alcohol and those addicted to chemically drugs differ from each other. Support Groups: Peer-based groups are beneficial for people in both groups. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the most effective support system for people with alcohol addictions. Members who feel they belong to their group also feel accountable to it; and this shared sense of responsibility to the group lifts everyone’s spirits and reduces their general anxiety. For individuals with a drug addiction, the type of support group they join depends on the nature of their addiction. Consequently, those addicted to morphine or heroin go to Narcotics Anonymous (NA), while those addicted to cocaine go to Cocaine Anonymous (CA). The 12-step model is common to all these various support groups.
Medication: The Primary Difference Between Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Addiction to alcohol is often a chronic, relapsing disease that can be exceedingly difficult to treat with therapy alone. Medications are often necessary. In the United States, three medications are currently approved by the FDA for treating alcohol addiction: Naltrexone, Acamprosate, and Disulfiram. Naltrexone is a medication that blocks opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) that rewards drinking. It works by reducing the withdrawal symptoms experienced, and it is highly effective for those who have failed other addiction-based treatments.
Meanwhile, Acamprosate (Campral®) is an alcohol withdrawal medication that can ease the symptoms of long-lasting withdrawal from alcohol. This treatment corrects the damage caused by alcohol to the cerebrum while also stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain. However, people with a long history of alcohol dependency may not respond well to this medication. Finally, Disulfiram is a medication used to treat alcohol dependency. It works by preventing the breakdown of alcohol and disrupting the reward system in the brain. The drug interferes with the process of metabolism by binding to the metabolite acetaldehyde that’s found in alcohol.
Detox medications are prescribed depending on the type of drug addiction. As an example, if someone has an opioid addiction, they will be treated with methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone. Methadone reduces withdrawal symptoms, and it is usually used when someone needs to stop taking opioids such as heroin or other opiates. Meanwhile, Buprenorphine reduces cravings for opiates. Finally, Naloxone, also known as naltrexone, blocks the effects of opioids in the brain and prevents them from causing euphoria. There are many facilities across the country that can provide you or your loved one with the treatment necessary to break free from alcohol or drug abuse. These rehab centers are staffed by a variety of different healthcare professionals who are trained to treat patients quickly and effectively. Contact us at 844-844-3463 if you are looking for a detox or rehab facility for recovery from either alcohol dependency or drug addiction.