Is Drug Addiction Treatment Really Necessary If I Go to 12-Step Meetings?
After so many weeks or months of drug abuse, you’ve likely experienced more than a few
adverse effects of drug use in your day-to- day life. Problems on the job, conflicts with loved
ones and emotional ups and downs may seem to be getting worse with time.
Once you reach a point where you’re willing to consider getting some form of help, it can be
easy to opt for the least inconvenient treatment option. While 12 Step meetings may offer the
most convenient option, it may not be enough to help you get a handle on drug using behaviors.
According to the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, drug addiction
addiction treatment for drugs treatment programs specialize in treating the physical and psychological effects of drug abuse
while helping you develop the types of coping skills needed to live life on a drug-free basis.
Granted, some people can get by with 12 Step meetings; however, the severity of your drug
problem may well warrant a more intensive treatment approach.
Addiction’s Increasing Control
Addictive drugs work by altering the brain’s chemical makeup and eventually changing the way
the mind thinks. With continued drug use, your ability to take back control of your life from
drugs weakens as the brain becomes more dependent on the drug’s effects to function, according
to Harvard Health Publications.
In the absence of needed drug addiction treatment supports, drug-using behaviors can quickly
spin out-of- control regardless of where a person is at in the abuse-addiction cycle.
12 Step Meetings vs. Drug Addiction Treatment
Twelve Step meetings offer a supportive environment where recovering addicts can receive
needed guidance on how to manage drug-using urges in their day-to- day lives. Regular
attendance at 12 Step meetings may offer sufficient treatment support provided drug-using urges
haven’t reached the point where you have no control over your behaviors and choices.
On the other hand, if drug use has started to cause problems for you on the job or has become a
source of ongoing relationship conflicts, it’s time to consider getting professional drug addiction
treatment for drug addiction help to prevent a bad situation from getting worse.
adverse effects of drug use in your day-to- day life. Problems on the job, conflicts with loved
ones and emotional ups and downs may seem to be getting worse with time.
Once you reach a point where you’re willing to consider getting some form of help, it can be
easy to opt for the least inconvenient treatment option. While 12 Step meetings may offer the
most convenient option, it may not be enough to help you get a handle on drug using behaviors.
According to the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, drug addiction
addiction treatment for drugs treatment programs specialize in treating the physical and psychological effects of drug abuse
while helping you develop the types of coping skills needed to live life on a drug-free basis.
Granted, some people can get by with 12 Step meetings; however, the severity of your drug
problem may well warrant a more intensive treatment approach.
Addiction’s Increasing Control
Addictive drugs work by altering the brain’s chemical makeup and eventually changing the way
the mind thinks. With continued drug use, your ability to take back control of your life from
drugs weakens as the brain becomes more dependent on the drug’s effects to function, according
to Harvard Health Publications.
In the absence of needed drug addiction treatment supports, drug-using behaviors can quickly
spin out-of- control regardless of where a person is at in the abuse-addiction cycle.
12 Step Meetings vs. Drug Addiction Treatment
Twelve Step meetings offer a supportive environment where recovering addicts can receive
needed guidance on how to manage drug-using urges in their day-to- day lives. Regular
attendance at 12 Step meetings may offer sufficient treatment support provided drug-using urges
haven’t reached the point where you have no control over your behaviors and choices.
On the other hand, if drug use has started to cause problems for you on the job or has become a
source of ongoing relationship conflicts, it’s time to consider getting professional drug addiction
treatment for drug addiction help to prevent a bad situation from getting worse.