Addiction Treatment in Allston, MA

Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive alcohol or drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences.  It is considered a brain disorder, because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control. Those changes may last a long time after a person has stopped taking drugs.

Detoxification (detox) is the process of clearing the body of drugs or alcohol that an individual has consumed. The purpose of detox is to safely manage withdrawal symptoms when someone stops taking drugs or alcohol.

Everyone has a different experience with detox. The type of drug and how long it was used affect what detox will be like.

Medications can be used to help make detox more comfortable.

Yes, addiction is a disorder that can be treated. Thanks to research on the science of addiction and substance use disorder treatment, there are now research-based methods that help individuals to stop using drugs and return to productive lives, also known as being in recovery.

Addiction treatment, like treatment for other chronic diseases such as heart disease or asthma, is not a cure but a way of managing the condition. The aim of treatment is to help individuals counteract the disruptive effects of addiction on their brain and behavior, and eventually regain control of their lives.

Addiction is a chronic condition that may involve relapse, which is the return to drug use after an attempt to quit. However, newer treatments are designed to help with relapse prevention. The rates of relapse for drug use are similar to those for other chronic medical conditions. If individuals do not adhere to their medical treatment plan, they are likely to experience a relapse.

Different types of medications may be useful at different stages of treatment to help a patient stop abusing drugs, stay in treatment, and avoid relapse.

• Treating withdrawal. When patients first stop using drugs, they can experience various physical and emotional symptoms, including restlessness or sleeplessness, as well as depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Certain treatment medications and devices reduce these symptoms, which makes it easier to stop the drug use.
• Staying in treatment. Some treatment medications and mobile applications are used to help the brain adapt gradually to the absence of the drug. These treatments act slowly to help prevent drug cravings and have a calming effect on body systems. They can help patients focus on counseling and other psychotherapies related to their drug treatment.
• Preventing relapse. Science has taught us that stress cues linked to the drug use (such as people, places, things, and moods), and contact with drugs are the most common triggers for relapse. Scientists have been developing therapies to interfere with these triggers to help patients stay in recovery.

Behavioral therapies help people in drug addiction treatment modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug use. As a result, patients are able to handle stressful situations and various triggers that might cause another relapse. Behavioral therapies can also enhance the effectiveness of medications and help people remain in treatment longer.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy seeks to help patients recognize, avoid, and cope with the situations in which they're most likely to use drugs.

Contingency management uses positive reinforcement such as providing rewards or privileges for remaining drugfree, for attending and participating in counseling sessions, or for taking treatment medications as prescribed.

Motivational enhancement therapy uses strategies to make the most of people's readiness to change their behavior and enter treatment.

Family therapy helps people (especially young people) with drug use problems, as well as their families, address influences on drug use patterns and improve overall family functioning.

Twelve-step facilitation (TSF) is an individual therapy typically delivered in 12 weekly session to prepare people to become engaged in 12-step mutual support programs. 12-step programs, like Alcoholic Anonymous, are not medical treatments, but provide social and complementary support to those treatments. TSF follows the 12-step themes of acceptance, surrender, and active involvement in recovery.

Stopping drug or alcohol use is just one part of a long and complex recovery process. Because addiction can affect so many aspects of a person's life, treatment should address the needs of the whole person to be successful. 

No single treatment is appropriate for all individuals. Matching treatment settings, interventions, and services to each individual's particular problems and needs is critical to their success in returning to productive functioning in the family, workplace, and society.