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Addiction Recovery Blog

Addiction Treatment Across the World: Understanding Your Options

When your loved one is suffering from addiction of any kind, it’s common to feel a little helpless. You can support your loved one and help them seek treatment, but ultimately their recovery and relapse prevention is in their hands.

Your role as a loved one is unique. It’s your job to help your loved one find a recovery plan that will work for their individual needs and give them the best chance at success – even if it means studying every treatment option known to man. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction, and points of view differ greatly on how addiction is classified.

Understanding Addiction Treatment in the U.S.

As you start to do research, you may find there are differing opinions on whether or not addiction is simply a disease. There are some medical professionals that view addiction as a spectrum, with varying degrees of severity. Depending which approach to addiction you believe and your loved one believes, it could change the type of rehabilitation options you explore together.

Some of the available treatment options in the U.S. include:

  • Traditional 12-step programs
  • Holistic 12-step programs
  • Gender-specific treatment programs
  • In-patient vs. outpatient programs
  • Virtual outpatient treatment
  • Detox programs
  • Individual therapy
  • Co-occurring condition treatment

It’s important to find a rehab facility that offers a variety of treatment options to help your loved one find the right approach for them. By tailoring treatment to their specific needs, they are more likely to find success and stick to it.

Understanding How Other Countries Treat Addiction

Drug and alcohol addiction is a worldwide problem, and if you are truly trying to find your loved one the best possible options, it makes sense to explore what other approaches to addiction are available. The ways governments react to addicts around the globe can offer new ideas and insightful questions about substance abuse and fighting back.

United Kingdom’s Approach to Addiction

Often under extreme scrutiny, the British System believes in what they call “heroin maintenance” – where medical professionals supply drugs on demand to addicts. This complex system aims to reduce the HIV epidemic and maintain a close watch on drug takers within the country. While it’s unclear as to whether this system is better than other approaches around the globe, it is presenting a less severe HIV epidemic than other areas of the world.

Portugal’s Approach to Addiction

In 2001, Portugal decriminalized all drugs. As the first country to do this, Portugal has seen a remarkable recovery with dramatic drops in drug use, HIV, overdose related deaths and drug-related crimes. Rather than being arrested, individuals caught doing drugs can be given a warning, small fine or told to seek treatment from a doctor or social worker. This approach is widely being championed in other parts of the world.

China’s Approach to Addiction

As the leading source of fentanyl, many countries are looking to China to help fight the war on drugs. As of now, China gives offenders detention for drug use, a two-year sentence in a compulsory drug detention center. So far, this response to the drug epidemic has failed to reduce demand.

A Holistic Approach to Addiction at Footprints

At Footprints Beachside Recovery, we offer a variety of treatment options to help tailor our care to each specific client. We want our clients to understand the unique nature of alcohol addiction and drug addiction. Our programs are designed to equip your loved one with the tools necessary to reduce the risk of relapse and regain control. Talk to one our admissions specialists today and learn how you can talk to your loved one about available treatment options.

Call Footprints Beachside Recovery at 877-954-3908 today.