Detoxification is a drug treatment approach that refers to the safe cessation from drug dependence. According to Diaper et al. (2014), detoxification takes several days or weeks depending on the drug being abused, the severity of the addiction, and the willingness of the person to recover. Thus, detoxification can be useful for individuals dependent on an illicit substance or prescription medication. The main aim of detoxification therapy is to reduce the withdrawal symptoms and eliminate any possible side effects related to a drug. Patients going taking detoxification therapy are encouraged to complete the withdrawal process, which provides them the opportunity to achieve long-term abstinence. However, sustained sobriety may not be practical in some cases, whereby the substance dependence problem may be associated with chronic relapse (Nasr et al., 2011). Therefore, in situations where abstinence is unachievable, patients are put on detoxification to reduce their degree of dependence and related costs mainly. Thus, detoxification is a practical drug treatment approach that assists individuals in being non-dependent on drugs, enable them to improve their health and living conditions, and deter them from engaging in criminal and risky behaviors. Therapeutic communities are the comprehensive drug treatment method that has been modified to treat individuals with substance abuse. According to Margo-Blatch et al. (2014), therapeutic communities were designed as an alternative treatment for addiction when psychiatric, and general medicines were unsuccessful in treating substance abuse. This treatment method supports individuals recovering from drug abuse, by creating a substance-free environment, whereby alcohol and drug abusers can develop new principles and rebuild their lives. Thus, the primary aim of therapeutic communities is to support their members in leading a holistic lifestyle free from substance abuse. Vanderplasschen et al. (2017) affirm that through therapeutic communities, individuals with a history of substance abuse identify negative areas in their lives that they need to change, such as social, psychological, and emotional factors that encourage them to abuse drugs. Clients can integrate positive changes in their lives by learning from others who share their personal experiences and how they have been able to recover from the addiction. Therapeutic communities are free from judgment, and residents are allowed to talk about their challenges with the recovery process. Resistance skills training programs are prevention strategies that equip individuals who are at risk of substance abuse with the relevant knowledge to understand situations that may lead them to engage in drug use. According to Griffin and Botvin (2010), young people benefit from resistance-based programs since they are educated on ways they can identify and avoid situations that may lead them to participate in substance use. Adolescents learn how to respond to high-risk situations and the appropriate social mechanism skills that they may apply in circumstances that they face peer pressure. Resistance skills training programs are effective as they act as intervention methods that recognize and focus on making positive use of the resources available within a community to help individuals at risk of alcohol and substance use. Moshki et al. (2014) affirm that resistance skills training programs have positive impacts on drug behavior as they integrate educational and skills training methods that both teachers, parents, and schools can utilize when teaching young people about alcohol and drug abuse. The programs teach the community practical approaches to use when monitoring and addressing drug-related issues. Therefore, the programs assist in creating awareness about substance abuse by deterring adolescents from using substances. For instance, community-based programs are effective prevention methods that can be used within the society to minimize the public health and social risks associated with abuse of substances such as alcohol, marijuana, or tobacco, which are widespread and readily accessible.
References
Diaper, A. M., Law, F. D., & Melichar, J. K. (2014). Pharmacological strategies for detoxification. British journal of clinical pharmacology , 77(2), 302–314. doi:10.1111/bcp.12245
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Griffin, K. W., & Botvin, G. J. (2010). Evidence-based interventions for preventing substance use disorders in adolescents. Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America , 19 (3), 505–526. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2010.03.005
Magor-Blatch, L., Bhullar, N., Thomson, B. and Thorsteinsson, E. (2014), "A systematic review of studies examining effectiveness of therapeutic communities", Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities , Vol. 35 No. 4, pp. 168-184. https://doi.org/10.1108/TC-07-2013-0024
Moshki, M., Hassanzade, T., & Taymoori, P. (2014). Effect of Life Skills Training on Drug Abuse Preventive Behaviors among University Students. International journal of preventive medicine , 5 (5), 577–583.
Nasr, D. A., Omran, H. A., Hakim, S. M., & Mansour, W. A. (2011). Ultra-rapid opiate detoxification using dexmedetomidine under general anesthesia. Journal of opioid management , 7 (5), 337-344.
Vanderplasschen, W., Yates, R. & Miovský, M. (2017) Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice in Therapeutic Communities (TCs) for Addictions, Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, 12:2-3, 63-67, DOI: 10.1080/1556035X.2017.1331598
