Addiction is a treatable condition, but there is no way to cure it. If you are a family member watching a loved one struggle or you are battling addiction personally, that can seem disheartening. Yet, the reality is that many people who suffer from addiction live a healthy, happy life in recovery without significant symptoms or limitations. The key to remember here is that addiction requires treatment, and that treatment can help you improve your overall quality of life, health, and mental well-being.
Can Addiction Be Treated?
Addiction is a fully treatable disorder in most people. Evidence-based treatment strategies enable the brain to overcome the challenges it faces due to prolonged substance use. Treatment that’s specific to your underlying physical and mental health disorders is helpful in bringing addiction under control.
Can Addiction Be Cured?
Alcohol and drug addiction do not go away. Even in recovery, relapse is always a risk. In this way, addiction is similar to other chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma. These conditions can be successfully controlled but require constant monitoring and adjustments to the treatment plan.
Addiction can permanently alter the function and structure of the brain. While you may not live with day-to-day symptoms of addiction, you may still experience the risk of these symptoms coming back. Treatment for addiction offers a way to manage the disease.
How Can Addiction Be Treated?
Addiction treatment is a multi-faceted process that focuses on changing behaviors, thought patterns, and underlying health and mental health disorders. In many situations, doctors approach an individualized treatment strategy to give those battling addiction the best chance possible of recovery. Some of the ways addiction can be effectively treated include:
- Detoxification: For those in active addiction, meaning they are still using a substance, drug and alcohol detox is often a component of recovery. This process enables the body to flush out all of the toxins so that the brain can learn how to function properly without them.
- Inpatient care: After detox, a person with a substance use disorder may benefit from residential treatment, in which they live at the facility 30+ days to allow their body and mind to heal.
- Behavioral Therapy: Talk therapy can provide a wide range of benefits for those struggling with addiction. Through therapy, it is possible to gain confidence and the ability to change negative thoughts that could otherwise lead you on a road to continued use.
- Dual-diagnosis treatment: Effective addiction treatment for people with underlying mental health disorders requires dual-diagnosis treatment. This focuses on treating the underlying mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety, while also treating the addiction.
Most people benefit from seeking comprehensive treatment. The specific strategies used will be based on each client’s unique situation. Treatment for addiction can be a positive experience and an exceptional overall opportunity to change your future. You do not have to do this alone. With the help of an addiction specialist and a treatment program tailored to your specific needs, it is possible to enjoy a lifetime of recovery.
Contact Our Team to Learn How We Help People Recover from Addiction
Addiction cannot be cured. However, at Iron Bridge Recovery Center, we can provide you with the tools and resources you need to control the symptoms you feel and build a healthier future for yourself. Contact us today to learn what we can do to help you recover from your addiction.
