For other major classes of drugs, such as the psychostimulants, effective cross-reactive agents are not available. After the achievement of stable abstinence, treatment enters the phase of relapse prevention. This requires ongoing involvement in treatment, such as regular attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous-type support groups or individual therapies. Also crucial are the detection and effective treatment of intercurrent physical and comorbid psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. It is particularly important to avoid the administration of potentially abusable drugs, such as benzodiazepines, to former drug abusers whenever possible.
Drug dependence produces long-term alterations in brain function.
Because addictive drugs tap into adaptive circuits that evolved in part to produce privileged long-term memories of experiences with positive survival value, there are particular risks of relapse associated with such drugs. Therapies specifically aimed at relapse prevention have been designed to help patients minimize exposure to drug cues and to modify their responses to them. Such therapies are most useful as part of a comprehensive treatment program. A final critical component of treatment is rehabilitation. Reintegration into family and work, obtaining new skills, and involvement with individuals who are not drug users are all critical if treatment is to be successful in the long term.