subject: Finding The Best Therapy For Addiction [print this page] The treatment for drug addiction is complex in nature since addiction varies in severity among patients. There's no absolute one cure for addiction. Instead, approaches are being divided into levels according to the degree of addiction a patient belongs to. Moreover, the type of treatment is on a personalized level that best suits the patient. For good reference, levels of addiction treatment are split into four namely outpatient therapy, intensive out-patient therapy, medically monitored intensive in-patient treatment and medically managed intensive inpatient treatment.
Outpatient Therapy
This level of therapy is applicable to patients who are suffering from mild addiction and those who have completed detoxification and inpatient therapy. The primary goal of outpatient therapy is for continuous recovery from addiction. Counselling sessions which may be done in groups or one on one are performed by therapists to assess the patient's progress. Schedules of meetings are performed regularly in convenient locations. Many of those who seek this type of therapy benefit from a family or support group.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment
This level of treatment may require partial hospitalization for detoxification and other laboratory tests. This level of treatment is more planned and structured where professionals tailor a strict regimen which a patient follows. Monitoring is done weekly and programs under this level usually require nine hours per week. The patient may still go home after therapy or live in special homes. There are a number of drug treatment centers that provide this level of treatment all over the country.
Medically Monitored Intensive Inpatient Treatment
This kind of treatment applies to patients who suffer from severe withdrawal affects and psychiatric problems which are dangerous to their well-being. This also applies to individuals who have undergone lower types of treatment but still has problems of living a sober life. There are certain criteria that medical professionals used to determine if a patient falls to this level of treatment. Nurses are available twenty four hours to monitor a patient's condition. A combination of individual and group treatment is also used in this level of treatment.
Medically Managed Intensive Inpatient Treatment
This level of treatment involves licensed and trained doctor to offer direct services on a daily basis. Services include diagnostic tests and treatment services. Patients who are suffering from severe side effects addiction are the ones who qualify for this kind of treatment. When the patient's well being is in great danger, direct assistance from trained physicians are needed. Some drug treatment centers do not offer this type of service but are done in a hospital setting. As soon as the condition of a patient is stabilized, patients are then transferred to smaller facilities to continue with their treatments.
