When a person with a substance use disorder seeks treatment, they often doubt the effectiveness of rehab and recovery programs. It can be challenging to provide a conclusive answer because the results vary significantly from person to person. There is no single treatment for substance use disorder but rather a wide range of varying approaches to help individuals reach their specific goals. 

Furthermore, one cannot measure the effectiveness of a treatment plan in terms of total success or failure but rather through the gradual improvement and lessening of symptoms. In addition, one cannot measure a treatment program’s success in a clinical setting. A treatment program’s true success can only be measured by the patient’s response when facing the challenges of their real lives that led them to develop a substance use disorder in the first place.

Some patients may use medication, talk therapy, or a combination of these methods to manage their symptoms. To evaluate the success of a treatment or rehabilitation program, one must assess the individual’s ability to become a productive member of society while also making their desired lifestyle changes. 

What Is Treatment for Substance Use Disorder?

Treatment programs help those with substance use disorder stop compulsively seeking and using their substance of choice. There is a wide range of treatment options to choose from so that each patient can partake in a treatment method that meets their needs. Since substance use disorder is a chronic illness, most patients require long-term treatment. 

Substance use disorders are typically treated with methods including the following:

• Therapy often includes evidence-based therapies for substance use. Healthcare professionals consider several forms of treatment supremely effective in treating substance use disorder. However, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is regarded as the most effective form of talk therapy to reduce substance use. Recent studies show that 33% of patients receiving CBT maintained abstinence versus 13% in the control group.

• Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT) utilizes medications and talk therapy to mitigate substance use disorder symptoms. Prescription medications curb cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while therapy allows patients to develop improved coping mechanisms for psychological distress. In this treatment, therapy is the focal point of the patient’s treatment plan, and medications are supplementary.

• Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) is a form of treatment in which medications are the primary form of treatment for patients that misuse opioids. In this treatment, patients may or may not treat their symptoms with talk therapy. Although this treatment is controversial due to the stigma surrounding medication use, it is the best treatment for some patients. For instance, studies illustrate that people taking buprenorphine had a treatment success rate of 75%, while the placebo group had a 0% success rate.

Patients who choose to incorporate MAT or MOUD within their treatment plan should keep their medications in a secure, safe-locking pill bottle, like the Safe Rx Locking Pill bottle. These pill bottles come with a custom code to ensure that no one gains unauthorized access to medication that isn’t their own, keeping the bottle secure and tamper-proof wherever it goes.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Treatment and Rehab Programs

When evaluating the effectiveness of substance use disorder, we must consider the possibility of more significant outcomes than stopping substance use. Healthcare professionals must also ensure that patients become healthy, functioning community members.

People who fully commit to their rehabilitation program and remain in treatment for the program’s duration reduce their risk of prolonged substance misuse and relapse. In addition, patients that obtain adequate treatment for substance use disorder report improvements in intrapersonal relationships, the workplace, and their psychological state.

It can be challenging to assess the validity of rehab and treatment for substance use disorder because the results are dependent on the individual’s issues and their involvement with treatment providers. Contrary to popular belief, substance use disorder is a chronic disease that patients must learn to cope with over time. With the right treatment plan, people with substance use disorder can mitigate the substance’s neurological and behavioral effects to improve their lives.

Unlike most other chronic disorders, with substance use disorder, people wrongfully consider the treatment a failure if the patient’s symptoms return. However, relapse rates for substance use disorders are congruent with the symptom recurrence rates for other chronic illnesses, including diabetes and hypertension. Healthcare professionals must adjust their treatment plan if someone with substance use disorder experiences lapses in usage.

Is Treatment for Substance Use Disorder Effective?

The most effective treatment for a substance use disorder depends on the substance itself. For instance, medications are the most effective treatment option for people with opioid use disorders, but people with stimulant or cannabis use disorders often respond better to psychosocial treatment. 

No single treatment is appropriate for every person with substance use disorder. Ultimately, there must be a paradigm shift that treats substance use disorder as a chronic illness, continually monitored throughout the patient’s lifetime. This disorder significantly alters the brain’s structure in ways that persist even after long periods of sobriety. However, when patients have access to multiple treatment options and tools to manage their symptoms successfully, they have the opportunity to make their desired lifestyle changes and become productive members of society.

Support Your Treatment Plan with Safe Rx

Treatment for substance misuse can only be effective if patients have access to the proper support systems and tools. Although therapy alone may be sufficient for some patients to maintain sobriety, others can meet their goals with the support of prescription medications. People that choose to incorporate medications within their treatment plan must keep their medications safe, secure, and out of reach from unauthorized access.

An effective treatment plan includes accounting for the safe use and storage of prescription medications. At Safe Rx, we know that medication safety begins with reducing unauthorized access to prescriptions. That’s why Safe Rx locking pill bottles allows patients to protect their prescription medications with a secure 4-digit code.

International Overdose Awareness Day occurs every year on August 31st to reduce the stigma of death related to substance use disorder while honoring the many lives lost to the unfortunate effects of an overdose. On this day, people come together to acknowledge the grief felt by those who have lost a loved one to an overdose and raise awareness around the signs of an overdose and tactics to prevent one from occurring. 

By providing proper education and resources to prevent overdoses, you can help others battling substance use disorder. If you’re ready to get involved, we have a few ways that you can do your part on International Overdose Awareness Day.

Getting Involved on International Overdose Awareness Day

Although society has made significant progress in recent decades, the topic of substance use disorder remains shrouded in stigma and misconception. Many people mistakenly believe that those with substance use disorder is a conscious choice rather than a medical disorder that alters a person’s neurological functioning. Furthermore, those struggling with substance use disorder may believe that seeking treatment is a sign of weakness, while others believe that they do not need treatment because they are functional members of society.

These misconceptions may seem innocuous, but they prevent people with substance use disorder from getting the treatment they need, leading to an increased rate of overdoses. Of the 22.7 million Americans with substance use disorder, only 2.5 million seek help. However, raising awareness about substance use disorder reduces the stigma surrounding substance use and rehab, which encourages people to seek treatment. If you’re interested in doing your part on Overdose Awareness Day, here are a few ways to get involved. 

Organize an Overdose Awareness Event

Promoting awareness about the dangers of overdosing and substance use disorder doesn’t need to be boring. Hosting an event can be a great way to strengthen bonds within your community for a worthy cause. Consider organizing a fundraiser by hosting a bake sale, concert, or a walk-a-thon. You can also host informational fairs which educate people about the signs of an overdose, what to do in the event of an overdose, and how to seek treatment for substance use disorder.

Share Your Knowledge and Experience

Most people are strapped for time, so if you’re too busy to organize an event, there are still ways that you can contribute to the betterment of your community. Although 100 people die from an overdose every day, many people remain unaware of how to help loved ones seek treatment or what to do if they notice the signs of an overdose. Additionally, many people do not recognize the symptoms of an overdose at all. 

If you’re comfortable talking about your personal experiences, or the experiences of someone you know, spreading the word can make a huge difference. When the opportunity arises, share your knowledge with people you know by starting discussions in person or on social media. Simply providing people with information about the prevalence of overdosing and substance use disorder can save a life.

Promote Positive Mental Health

Substance use disorder and mental health disorders are inextricably intertwined. Studies show that 50% of people with severe mental health disorders struggle with substance use. Unfortunately, people who struggle with mental health disorders turn to unhealthy coping strategies when they cannot obtain proper treatment.

As a result, raising awareness about mental health disorders and promoting self-care can reduce the stigma around mental health treatment, encouraging people to seek the help they deserve. In turn, people with mental health disorders are more likely to develop healthy coping mechanisms, recover from substance use, and reduce their risk of overdosing.

Signs and Symptoms of an Overdose

An alcohol or substance overdose happens when a person ingests a greater amount of a substance than their body can handle. When an overdose occurs, the results can be fatal or have long-term effects on the person’s overall health. The signs and symptoms of an overdose depend on the substance a person takes. If you or someone you love is at risk of experiencing an overdose, pay close attention to these signs and symptoms so that you can seek help as soon as possible.

Signs of an Alcohol Overdose

Alcohol overdoses, also known as alcohol poisoning, is the third-leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Symptoms of an alcohol overdose include the following:

• Low heart rate
• Loss of motor skills
• Difficulty staying awake
• Confusion
• Reduced body temperature
• Pale or blue skin
• Seizures

Signs of a Depressant Overdose

Central nervous system (CNS) depressants can make a person drowsy or lethargic. Depressant overdoses may cause the following:

• Significant loss of strength and fainting
• Vision problems
• Slowed breathing
• Confusion
• Coma

Signs of an Opioid Overdose

Opioid overdoses are the most common cause of an overdose. These overdoses may often occur with little to no warning. Signs of an opioid overdose include:

• Slowed breathing
• Slowed heart rate
• Small pupils
• Unconsciousness or losing the ability to speak
• Pale or clammy skin
• Limpness in the body
• Gurgling noises from the mouth
• Blue fingernails and lips

Signs of a Stimulant Overdose

While depressants, alcohol, and opioids have similar effects, a stimulant overdose will appear completely different. Signs of a stimulant overdose include:

• Quickened breathing
• Increased body temperature
• Increased heart rate
• Paranoia, irritability, and aggression
• Convulsions and coma

Seeking Help in the Event of an Overdose

If you believe that you or another person is experiencing an overdose, you must  call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. Ensure that you communicate your exact location and phone number so that healthcare workers can arrive as soon as possible. If someone else is overdosing, stay with them until the ambulance arrives.

In order to prevent an overdose, avoid mixing substances. Remember that many prescription medications also come with the risk of an overdose, so remain aware of when you took your medication and the dosage. Consider keeping your prescription medication in a safe, secure locking pill bottle to ensure that no one else can gain access.

Support International Overdose Awareness Day with Safe Rx

A significant portion of overdose prevention lies in having tools that prevent an overdose from occurring in the first place. At Safe Rx, we know that medication safety begins with reducing unauthorized access to prescriptions. That’s why Safe Rx locking pill bottles allow patients to protect their prescription medications with either a preset or custom 4-digit code to ensure that no one else can access them. 

If you’re interested in learning more about how Safe Rx locking pill bottles can help save lives, contact us today!