Definition - What does Substance Abuse Treatment Program mean?

A substance abuse treatment program is a course of remedies that are applied when a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol. The aim of such a program is threefold: to stop the addict from using the substance, to ensure the addict remains free of the substance after treatment is complete, and for the addict to become a functioning member of society. The program is tailored to meet the needs of the addict and so it does not conform to any specific protocol.

SureHire explains Substance Abuse Treatment Program

All substance abuse treatment programs are comprised of 5 stages of treatment. The first stage is a detoxification process to clear the body of the substance. Depending on the substance of abuse, this may require medication in order to manage the physiological symptoms of withdrawal. The second stage is the modification of behaviors through counseling sessions. For some addicts, the third stage is the application of medication to treat any psychological issues that occur as a result of the substance abuse. Addressing any mental health issues is the fourth stage and the final stage is holding follow-up sessions for relapse prevention.

Substance abuse treatment programs can take many forms. Examples of some programs include in-patient addiction treatment, 12 step programs, addiction therapy, group counselling and peer support.

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