Substance use disorders are common, and they are illnesses, not failures of character. Whether the problem is alcohol, drugs or another substance, addiction can be treated with professional help and ongoing care. Recovery usually starts when a person accepts that they need help.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually made by a team that may include a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a licensed counsellor. Blood, urine and other tests do not diagnose addiction on their own, but they help assess substance use and are often used to monitor progress during treatment.
Detox
Detoxification is usually the first step. Its aim is to clear the substance from the body while managing withdrawal symptoms safely, often with medication. Withdrawal differs from one substance to another and can be dangerous, so it needs close medical supervision.
Doctors decide whether detox should take place in a hospital or treatment centre, or whether the person can be treated as an outpatient.
Therapy and counselling
After detox, treatment continues with therapy and counselling. The team looks at the person's needs and draws up a plan, which may combine individual sessions, group therapy and family sessions. Sessions are usually more frequent at first and become less frequent as the person improves. The type of therapy is chosen by the treating team.
Rehabilitation and long-term support
Addiction is a chronic condition, and recovery takes time, commitment and support. Many people benefit from a rehabilitation programme, either residential, with round-the-clock care and accommodation, or outpatient. Rehabilitation also prepares the person to return to family, work and social life.
Regular contact with support or self-help groups helps many people stay in recovery after formal treatment ends.
Treatment abroad: plan for the return home
Some families choose treatment away from home for privacy or a fresh start. If you are considering this, plan the return as carefully as the stay:
- Who will continue therapy or medication after discharge?
- Is there a support group or counsellor near home?
- How will the treating team share its reports with your doctor?
How MedAssist can help
MedAssist does not provide treatment. We can arrange an assessment at a partner hospital or clinic, where the treating doctors decide on the right setting and plan. We organise travel and accommodation for the patient and family members, provide an interpreter, and treat everything you share with us confidentially.