Towards freedom: treatment approaches to drug dependence at TTK Hospital

A well organized, structured programme with facilities for follow-up and after-care helps the addict and his family to recover from addiction. Recovery from addiction is a continuous process from the time of initial treatment. Recovery is a multiphased problem. Hence various treatment modalities have to be included in the treatment regime of addicts. The disease model helps the addicts to accept their dependency and reduce their shame and guilt. It helps the community to accept the problems and also helps the community to take responsibility in preventive programmes. It reduces the stigma attached to addiction. It also helps the family and the addict seek professional help. When the treatment agency recognizes 'abstinence' as the goal of the therapy, the agency should provide enough scope for dealing with sobriety-based problems for the addicts. With varied follow-ups, after-care and relapse prevention programmes, relapses could be minimized.