Drug addiction is a multifaceted illness that will give the person involved an uncontrollable and compulsive urge to take the drug, even knowing that it could have shattering consequences.There are many differing dimensions to drug addiction that interfere with and disrupt an addict’s life, making any single treatment very difficult.

To be effective a treatment programme has to incorporate a range of components.It must help the addict to stop using the drug, maintain a drug free lifestyle and also enable them to function in the workplace, society and in family life.As drug addiction is such a chronic disease, you cannot simply cure it by refraining from taking drugs for a few days; in most cases long-term treatment will be required.

There have been many Home Office studies published since the 1970’s, which indicate that although addiction is a complex illness, which affects brain function and behaviour, it is treatable.While no single treatment works for everyone and each individual is different, there are effective courses of medication and therapy available.Effective treatment will help with the many needs of the individual concerned, but it is essential that they remain committed to the treatment programme for the time specified.

One of the most common forms of therapy is counselling, whether in a group or in one-on-one sessions.This process is effective, because it has been proven that it helps to have someone experiencing the same symptoms to talk to.Combined with medication, behavioural therapy helps the addict overcome their dependency on the substance they are abusing and so assists them achieve their goal of remaining drug free.