Addiction Addiction implies that a drug dependency has developed to such an extent that it has serious detrimental effects on the user (referred to as an addict). They may be chronically intoxicated, have great difficulty stopping the drug use, and be determined to obtain the drug by almost any means. The term addiction is inextricably linked to society's reaction to the user, and so medical experts try to avoid using it, preferring dependence instead.Oxycontin Addiction: Oxycontin is a prescription painkiller used for moderate to high
pain relief associated with injuries, bursitis, dislocations, fractures, neuralgia,
arthritis, lower back pain and pain associated with cancer. It contains oxycodone,
an opium derivative and is produced in a time released tablet. Oxycontin commonly
referred to as OC, OX, Oxy, Oxycotton and kicker, was introduced in 1996 and has
had a rapid escalation of abuse. The tablets can be chewed, crushed and snorted
like cocaine, crushed and dissolved in water and then injected like heroin. The
most serious side effect is respiratory depression, particularly dangerous for
the elderly. Oxycontin
addiction and demand has resulted in pharmacy robberies and forged
prescriptions. The estimated number of people aged 12 or older with an oxycontin
addiction has increased from 1.9 million in 2002, to 3.1 million in 2004.
The largest increase occurred among young adults aged 18 to 25. Heroin Rapid Detox As an Opioid heroin use escalates as the body’s tolerance for the drug increases. The increased tolerance is the cause of many overdose deaths given that the heroin user may be injecting 3 to 5 times the lethal dose in order to maintain their high. Rapid detoxification from high tolerance heroin use is extremely dangerous and can be fatal. Relapse for a heroin user after some period of absence can also be fatal as their tolerance level is no longer present and the same amount used during their last episode prior to a period abstinence will often kill the user. Drug Rehabilitation Drug Rehabilitation
is an umbrella term for a variety of processes by which a person addicted to a
drug stops using that drug. These processes can vary from cold turkey to the use
of substitute drugs which do not have the same action upon the state of consciousness
as the original drug to which the person was addicted.
Drug rehabilitation or drug rehab encompasses the many different types of both medical and psychotherapeutic treatments that are currently available for dependency. The purpose of the treatments under this umbrella is to help individuals refrain from substance abuse so as to avoid the social, financial, psychological, legal, and physical consequences that can be caused by extreme abuse.
There are a variety of treatments that can be utilized such as: detoxification to cope with withdrawal symptoms and therapeutic treatments which can be specific to the drug from which the individual is trying to discontinue use. Perhaps the most difficult part of ceasing drug use is the psychological dependence which does occur from consistent use. To this end, some of the programs that are utilized by addicts include Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcanon.
AA was started by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. AA is built on principles both from Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung and teachings from the Oxford Group a Christian Evangelical organization. Both men were alcoholics who were having consistent problems ceasing alcohol use. In addition, both had been using for a majority of his life. Its from their own experiences of addiction that they formed this self help group. Bill Wilson first sought treatment for addiction and found it in the spiritual teachings of the Oxford Group. After he found success in ‘finding G-d’ he found comfort in relaying his experiences to other people. This is how Dr. Bob Smith also regained recovery; from having a long conversation with the other founder of AA, Bill Smith. On June 10th, 1935 Dr. Smith had his last drink. This has long been considered the start date of AA. In fact, by 1937 AA had a total of forty recovered alcoholics with continued sobriety.
In 1938 the Twelve Steps, on which AA is based where founded. Though AA was formed with concepts based in theology, Wilson and Smith utilized input from several early members of AA who were atheist. For individuals whom the idea of ‘G-d’ is a foreign one, AA can still work because the ‘Higher Power’ can be whatever that individual chooses it to be within their grasp of understanding. In 1939 Alcoholics Anonymous was published. Participants in AA are told to ‘work the program’. This includes principles such as this:
* Above all, avoiding the first drink. "One is too many and a thousand never enough."
* Regular attendance at meetings, and participation by talking or listening. For newcomers, 90 meetings in 90 days are often recommended to break the drinking habit and immerse them in a culture of sobriety.
* Regular contact with a sponsor for support in staying and living sober and in working the program.
Alcoholics Anonymous programs have had such success that the principles have been applied to other addictions and have formed other groups such as: Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and many others.
Narcanon’s Roots
On February 19, 1966 a drug rehab program based on "The Fundamentals of Thought" by Ron Hubbard which was delivered to substance abusers in the Arizona State Prisons. The creator of Narcanon was William C. Benitez, a former inmate at Arizona State Prison for narcotics offenses. His work was supported by the founder of Scientology, Ron Hubbard in 1972. Narconon did not approach rehabilitation with the use of other drugs, such as methadone for heroin use. The organization, however, did not address withdrawal symptoms. Narcanon has been met with much controversy because of their unorthodox methodology, affiliation with the Church of Scientology and use of sweat sessions and use of vitamins. Narcanon has received much criticism because of allegations of large amounts of money being paid and no treatment being given.
To combat concerns about their affiliation with Scientology, Narconon developed secularized materials for those who felt they were advertising for the Church. On more than one occasion, Narcanon has attempted to start drug education programs in public schools. In 1999, Scientologists from Clearwater, Florida tried to establish Narconon drug-education program in the Pinellas County, Florida school district. The school district committee heard the idea and refused to allow students participate in an anti-drug program based on Scientology teachings. California schools were offered an anti-drug program by Narconon free of charge in 2004. In 2005, after investigations, the states superintendent of schools recommended that all schools reject the Narcanon program after finding that the program taught inaccurate and unscientific information. Having said this, several celebrities including Kristie Alley and John Travolta proclaim the program has worked for them.
Narcanon or the "New Life Program" is based on two stages "detoxification" and "rehabilitation." This involves a regimen of vitamins, multi-minerals, oils with special attention placed on the utilization of magnesium, calcium and niacin. Exercise and lengthy sessions in the sauna are utilized. An average of 3-4 months is spent by patients in Narconon Centers. Prices range from 10,000 to 30,000 dollars.
Other Treatment Programs
AA and Narcanon are not the only types of treatment programs available for individuals with substance abuse issues. The principles of a program like AA, however, are utilized in most treatment programs. The most popular types of treatment programs available and perhaps the most effective are integrative therapies. This includes the utilization of various different types of therapies all rolled into one. Because addiction affects every part of the individual, all components need to be treated/ addressed. To this end, psychotherapeutic treatments including psychotherapy or family therapy have their roots in the psychologists and psychiatrists who did the original research and studies to start said programs. Among these are Freud, Jung, and Adler. Drug rehabilitation is something that has evolved over time and has been around as long as people have had drug problems. If one were to look back in history, one would find drug addiction has been around since the beginning of time.
This article was last modified on 8/8/2007.
Works Cited
Alcoholics Anonymous : the story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. 4th ed. New York : Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, 2001.
Dale Mitchel, Silkworth: The Little Doctor Who Loved Drunks. Hazelden, 2002.
Finlay, Steven W (2006-3-11). "Influence of Carl Jung and William James on the Origin of Alcoholics Anonymous". Review of General Psychology V4: 3-12. Retrieved on August 5th, 2007
Narconon The Origins of the Narconon Program (accessed August 7, 2007)
Narconon "L. Ron Hubbard and the Narconon program" (accessed August 7, 2007)
Stephen Koff "Top Scientologist Arrested in Spain" St. Petersburg Times Nov 22, 1988 pg. 1A
Steven Koff "Scientology leader still jailed in Spain; church charges 'persecution'" St. Petersburg Times Dec 10, 1988
What is AA? Defining "Alcoholics Anonymous" The General Service Board of
Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain). Retrieved on August 6th, 2007.
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