In the last ten years psychiatric drugs such as antidepressants, anti-psychotics and anti-anxiety medications have become more of a thorn in the side of results-based treatment programs than a valid therapy. The long list of side effects, in addition to the major outbreak in prescription drug addiction has presented enough evidence that many of these drugs should be banned – and certainly not used in addiction treatment centers.
The high potential for abuse and dependency, in addition to the way these drugs cause a “detachment” from oneself by “re-wiring” the brain takes personal responsibility away from the individual and makes it nearly impossible for them to fully recover from their addictions. Unfortunately, most traditional programs still use these drugs as part of their practice and so finding a facility that is drug-free usually only leaves a faith-based program or some non-12 step drug rehabs.
As more studies are done on the long-term effects of many of these psychiatric drugs, you will find billions of dollars in lawsuits continuing to mount and a list of drugs finally coming off the market. The problem is, until the government and societal think on pharmaceuticals changes, they will have their next “wonder pill” ready to market to the tv watchers of America to go ask their doctor about it and will pay medical consultants to speak on behalf of their new drugs at conferences. Something has to change with the regulatory body as well (the FDA).