Treatment refers to medical interventions aimed at alleviating, managing or curing various health conditions and diseases. It includes both non-invasive methods, such as medications and lifestyle changes, and invasive procedures, such as surgery and diagnostic tests.
The goal of most treatments is to help individuals change their behavior and, for psychiatric disorders, reduce or eliminate chemical use and other maladaptive behaviors. For example, medication is an important part of the treatment for many drug abusers, especially those addicted to opiates. Medications such as methadone and levo-alpha-acetyl-methadone have proven to be highly effective in helping people addicted to heroin or other opiates stabilize their lives and decrease illicit drug use. Medications such as bupropion or nicotine replacement products (patch or gum) are also helpful for some tobacco or alcohol addicts.
For cancer, treatment may include chemotherapy, which uses medicines to kill cancer cells and prevent them from growing. It’s often given in combination with other cancer treatments, like radiation and hormone therapy. Hormone therapy blocks or reduces the hormones that fuel cancer cell growth.
Behavioral therapies are also an essential element of most treatment programs. For example, group and individual psychotherapy can be very beneficial for people in recovery from a substance use disorder. Animal-assisted therapy involves working with dogs, horses or other animals to help people express themselves and deal with trauma. Other therapies include meditation, aromatherapy and hypnosis.