The goal of the drug detoxification process is to rid the human body of toxins which have accumulated through drug use. As a rule, the signs of drug addiction are the increasing or decreasing of appetite and changes in the habits of eating, or an unexplained gain or loss of weight; a smell of the substance on the body, breath, and clothes; hyperactivity; change of attitude and personality; changes in social value; change in activity; loss of concern for certain things; a drop in work performance and school; changes in different habits; a loss of attachment for family; forgetfulness; difficulties in attention; lack of energy and motivation; irritability and nervousness; violent temper; unexplained behavior; paranoia; and a chronic dishonesty.
The first step in an addiction treatment program is drug withdrawal. Drug detoxification is often defined as a complete set of services aiming to arrest and to curtail the destructive pattern of drug addiction.
The addiction treatment program is performed in different ways, depending on where the individual decides to take his recovery from drug addiction. The majority of drug detoxification centers tend to avoid the physical method of withdrawal to drugs. A trained drug detoxification facility, usually, incorporates counseling and therapy during the period of recovery from drug addiction. Generally, methods of the recovery from drug addiction, as well as aftercare programs, vary widely, according to those types of drugs which are involved, the duration of drug addiction, quantity of drug used, medical complications, or the social needs of the individual.
Drug detoxification is just as essential and important for the addicted
person as it is for other significant people within the sphere of contact of the addicted patient. One method of recovery from drug addiction is the 12-step recovery programs. These are well-known and often used programs for drug detoxification of the addicted individual and for the family of this person. Frequently, rehabilitation centers offer residential treatment programs for seriously addicted people to isolate them from the drug, and from having any interaction with drug dealers or other drug users. Outpatient clinics offer a combination of the individual and group counseling.
Other methods of treatment involve methadone, although this is itself
addictive, often opium dependency is so strong that a gradual tapering of such less addictive substance represents the only way to reliably treat the user. Other forms of treatments, such as acupuncture, are used to help alleviate the drug symptoms. Often circulated ideas regarding what can be a "successful outcome," occur in the recovery from drug addiction. The truth is that abstinence from drug addictive substances is the more accepted goal.
Aftercare process, as well as addiction treatment, represents a delicate matter. The correctitude of these processes is very important, otherwise the patient may become, frequently, defensive or he may feel himself cornered. The recommendations of a professional, in situation from aftercare period, are useful to determine the proper and personal strategy, or time for a specific intervention. An aftercare program usually consists of sustaining the individual in an effort to maintain recovery after a period of addiction treatment. Through a successful ongoing communication with his family or doctor, the individual experiences the expected transition back to family and society.