There are many types’ addictive drugs, and treatments for each drug may be different. Treatment programs and solutions also vary depending on the traits of the addict.

Symptoms associated with an addict’s addiction can vary significantly. Many suffer from mental health, occupational, health, or social issues that make their addictive tendencies more difficult to treat. Even when there are fewer associated symptoms, the seriousness of the addiction by itself ranges widely greatly among addicts and users.

Drug treatment programs may include the following types of behavioral treatment: counseling, cognitive therapy, and psychotherapy. Behavioral therapies either group or individual offer addicts strategies for coping with their drug cravings and teach them techniques to avoid drugs, to prevent relapse, and help them deal with a relapse when it occurs.

The Best Drug Treatment programs provide a combination of therapies

Professionally managed drug treatment programs should include case management and referral to other medical, psychological, and social services that are crucial components of drug treatment programs for many addicts.

Treatment medications, such as methadone, LAAM, and naltrexone, are available for those individuals addicted to opiates. Nicotine preparations (patches, gum, nasal spray) and bupropion are available for individuals addicted to nicotine.

Medications, such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or neuroleptics, may be a critical part of treatment success when patients also have mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or any psychosis.

Drug Treatment programs may occur in a variety of settings, in many different forms, and for different periods of time. That is because drug addiction is typically a chronic disorder characterized by occasional relapses, a short-term, one-time drug treatment program often is not sufficient. For many, treatment is a long-term process that involves multiple treatment programs and attempts at abstinence.

The social model of alcohol and drug recovery in California has evolved through several generations to what we know as today’s model. Social model programs emphasize the process of learning through ‘‘doing’’ and ‘‘experiencing’’ and providing positive role models. Social model programs are cost effective and outcome effective because of their ability to build strong and lasting social support systems.

The roots of modern social model are in the mutual self-help concepts of Alcoholics Anonymous. Individuals
struggling with early sobriety often were temporarily homeless and in need of social support systems. members of Alcoholics Anonymous would often house newer members and act as guides by sharing their own experiences. Since Alcoholics Anonymous, according to its “Traditions,” could not be involved in support systems, it became a movement of its own. When public support began to flow into these recovery homes, they became more formalized with program standards and facility licensing.

An example of social model includes Recovery Homes, which are community-based, peer-group oriented, residential facilities that provide food, shelter, and recovery services in a supportive, non-drinking, drug-free environment. Services provided include individual and group recovery planning, alcohol and  drug recovery education, group support, recreational activities, assistance in obtaining health, social, vocational and other community services.

Typically, the home is cheerful, warm and accepting, and provides an environment in which the recovering alcoholic or addict has the opportunity to make a positive change in lifestyle with an alcohol- and drug-free environment and positive role models.

The major goal of a recovery home is to provide an environment in which men and women recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction will experience a sober, functioning lifestyle, and return to the community as a responsible drug-free individual.

A nonresidential Social Model Program is a community-based program that provides a sober supportive environment, offers services to persons with alcohol- or drug-related problems, and educates the surrounding
community concerning such problems in order to reduce alcohol- or drug-related problems including alcoholism or drug addiction.