Compulsory Drug Detention Centers Aren’t of Much Help, Study Shows
Traditionally, opioids have been used by doctors to relieve excessive pain, related to surgeries, injuries or chronic health conditions such as cancer. When used correctly, under the supervision of a doctor, opioids can be a safe option to relieve painful conditions, but misusing the drug or not following the doctor’s instructions could lead to horrifying results, including addiction.
Opioids usually work by lowering the number of pain signals sent to the brain and by changing the way the brain responds to it. When used for a prolonged period, opioids lead to a dependence, which in turn may cause various side effects. An addiction to opioids generally begins when a person starts using these drugs for purposes other than relieving pain. This could be due to an array of factors, such as genetic, biological or environmental.
Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options, such as detox programs, rehab centers and counseling sessions, available today, which can help addiction patients get rid of the devastating habit. However, one of the lesser known treatment options available for opioid addiction is getting admitted to a compulsory drug detention center.
As per a December 2016 study, published in the journal The Lancet Global Health, people with chronic opioid use disorders who are treated at a compulsory drug detention center are more likely to relapse as compared to those treated at a voluntary drug treatment center that use methadone maintenance therapy.
Compulsory drug detention centers and relapse
The study was the first of its kind to examine the risk of relapse from compulsory drug detention centers. As part of it, the researchers examined 89 people from compulsory centers and 95 from voluntary centers, who met the study criteria for an opioid use disorder. Both the groups underwent drug tests and participated in interviews, first at the commencement of the study, and then at one, three, six, nine or 12 months post their discharge from the treatment centers.
It was found that people held in compulsory centers relapsed within 31 days as compared with 352 days for half of those in voluntary centers. After one month of their release, just 51 percent of the participants from the compulsory centers were opioid-free as compared to 90 percent of those from voluntary centers. On continuing the analysis after six months, it was found that only 19 percent of those from the compulsory centers were still opioid-free, as compared to more than 69 percent of those from voluntary centers.
Professor Frederick Altice, Yale University School of Medicine, also an author of the study, said, “Our findings strongly support international calls to eliminate compulsory drug detention centers by showing that they are ineffective in treating drug dependence, especially for those who use opioids.”
Voluntary treatment centers more effective
A compulsory drug detention center might not necessarily employ medical professionals, have legal oversight or might even make use of some unproven measures, such as spiritual programs and exercise, to help people overcome addiction.
On the other hand, voluntary treatment centers are willingly opted by the patients themselves. Moreover, these centers medically assess people at the time of their treatment with methadone, based on which they are allowed to use a variety of treatments, including psychosocial counseling and recreational activities.
Right treatment crucial for sobriety
As the number of people addicted to prescription drugs grows, usually after being administered narcotic painkillers for medical reasons, there is a greater risk of death due to an overdose.
If you know someone who is addicted to opioids or any other substance and is in need of help for an inpatient detox treatment in Texas, get in touch with the Detox Facilities Texas. Call at our 24/7 helpline number 866–671–4308 and our representatives will help you connect with the best centers offering inpatient detox treatment in El Paso or in other parts of the U.S.
