All drug addiction rehabs usually progress through the same phases of treatment. However, certain customizations can be incorporated within the individual recovery plan based on the type of drug being abused.
Each category of drugs comes with its own set of complications and symptoms therefore the therapist is recommended to focus on the specific characteristics of a certain type of drug while maintaining the basic phases of rehab. These specific characteristics are discussed below with reference to each type.
Commonly used drugs can be categorized into seven major types based on their unique effects: Stimulants, Depressants, Opioids, Inhalants, Hallucinogens, Cannabis and Dissociatives.
It is important to note, whatever the type of drug may be each can lead to severe psychological and physical health issues negatively affecting interpersonal relationships and other important areas of life.
STIMULANTS
Stimulants are a type of drugs that induce a feeling of “high”, an immediate euphoria resulting from an increase in user’s alertness level, heart rate and blood pressure.
Such drugs produce a sensation of speeding up and are commonly known as “uppers”. These are mostly used as recreational drugs for entertainment purposes especially by teenagers or as performance enhancers by athletes.
However, consistent and excessive consumption of stimulants can eventually become highly addictive. While certain types of common stimulants such as caffeine are less harmful, others like cocaine can be highly addictive with severe consequences.
Additional commonly consumed stimulants are ecstasy and methamphetamine. Some serious concerns developed by such drugs are Anxiety, Psychosis, Depression, other health concerns like heart failure and stroke. Therapists can incorporate positive euphoric activities within the recovery plan of those managing stimulant addictions.
DEPRESSANTS
These are a type of drugs more often prescribed by medical practitioners for serious health issues such as, insomnia or anxiety. However, excessive usage of depressants can also be addictive.
Depressants affect the Central Nervous System causing all bodily functions to slow down often giving people a sense of relaxation, an easy escape from stressors.
While there are many different depressants available especially those prescribed professionally such as Xanax and Valium, the most commonly used substance as a depressant is alcohol. Similar to depressants, alcohol causes bodily functions to slow down causing the same effects.
Excessive usage of depressants can lead to memory impairment, liver damage, higher risk of diabetes, social risks and most importantly severe withdrawal symptoms which can even be life threatening at times. Those relying on depressants are actually trying to look away from their troubles; the therapist must use cognitive behavioral therapies with such recoverees.
OPIOIDS
Opioids are substances used to alleviate sufferings from pain, while also inducing euphoric feelings. These are the most easily addictive type of drugs especially because of its ability to cause physical dependency.
Consumption of opioids leads to a gradually increasing demand for it by the body to achieve a similar state of high. While these can be taken in many forms the most common opioid and also extremely fatal if overdosed is Heroin.
The consequences of Opioids range from brain impairment, liver damage, constipation to death from cardiac arrest. Injecting forms of opioids such as heroin also increase the risk of transmitting diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis. Due to the highly addictive nature of opioids immediate intensive treatment is recommended.
INHALANTS
Inhalants are a relatively lesser damaging drug type however since these cause only a brief period of “high” individuals are more likely to excessively consume these substances which then makes it harmful.
These consists of commonly available household items such as, pants, glue, gas fumes, prays etc. causing a feeling of numbness or brief euphoria. As evident from the name, these items are only inhaled through the nose.
The health risks caused by inhalants include: nose bleeds, nausea, slurred speech, complicated pregnancies and even severe consequences such as liver, kidney or brain damage. There are no medicines devised yet that treat inhalant addiction however coping strategies can be learnt via therapy to manage triggers.
HALLUCINOGENS
Consumption of Hallucinogens leads to an altered state of consciousness, distorting a person’s sense of reality. Individuals start experiencing unreal sensations, they see, feel or hear things that do not exist.
Hallucinogens are mostly consumed in solid forms as tablets or capsules. The most popularly known hallucinogen is LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide).
An extremely disturbing consequence of hallucinogens is Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder causing frightening flashbacks of the altered state of reality. In addition to consequences such as mood swings, visual disturbances, distorted cognition, it can lead to violent states of psychosis putting the individual at a risk of harming themselves. Recommended treatment for hallucinogens is also professional help since medical intervention is necessary.
DISSOCIATIVES
Dissociative are much similar to hallucinogens and can even be categorized as a subtype. However, the unique element of a dissociative drug is that in addition to an altered sense of reality it makes the consumer feel like they are observing themselves from outside of their own bodies.
These can be consumed in many forms as well. Two common types of dissociative are PCP (phencyclidine) and Angel dust.
These are extremely dangerous drugs resulting in some of the most damaging risk factors such as, Self-injury, Suicidal thoughts, Hallucinations and many other health issues like nausea, breathing complications, insomnia etc. A combination of both medication and intensive therapy must be incorporated within treatment.
CANNABIS
Cannabis can be described as a combination of depressants and hallucinogens since they induce effects caused by both. Marijuana is a frequently mentioned type of cannabis readily available and commonly used.
Due to its medicinal uses it has been misconceived that marijuana is not really an addictive substance. In actuality, excessive amounts of it can lead to addiction like any other drug. While it is commonly smoked it can be consumed in other forms as well.
It has both short and long term negative consequences for the consumer which includes memory deficits, slower reaction time, problems of physical coordination and other severe mental processing issues.
As mentioned before, the basic phases of rehab remain the same for all mentioned categories of drugs ranging from detoxification, abstinence and rehabilitation to ongoing recovery.
Cognitive behavior therapy, Motivation Enhancement therapy and Contingency management techniques are commonly used treatment options for managing drug abuse triggers and underlying causes. Therapists need to identify the uniqueness each individual brings to rehab and their recovery program must be tailored accordingly.
For example, those addicted to depressants must be encouraged to identify and deal with their stressors instead of escaping from them. While others addicted to drugs such as hallucinogens must definitely be medicated at first. Therefore, even if the path towards recovery varies for each drug and each individual there is always a healthier way out!
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