<unk>  treatment is somewhat of a misnomer because<unk>  itself is a treatment failure; however there exist three main approaches that are currently used to reduce the likelihood of drug<unk> . These include pharmacotherapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, and contingency management. The main goals of treating substance dependence and preventing<unk>  are to identify the needs that were previously met by use of the drug and to develop the skills needed to meet those needs in an alternative way. Pharmacotherapy :Related article: Drug rehabilitation Various medications are used to stabilize an addicted user, reduce the initial drug use, and prevent reinstatement of the drug. Medications can normalize the long-term changes that occur in the brain and nervous system as a result of prolonged drug use. This method of therapy is complex and multi-faceted because the brain target for the desire to use the drug may be different from the target induced by the drug itself. The availability of various neurotransmitter receptors, such as the dopamine receptor D2, and changes in the medial prefrontal cortex are prominent targets for pharmacotherapy to prevent<unk>  because they are heavily linked to drug-induced, stress-induced, and cue-induced<unk> . Receptor recovery can be upregulated by administration of receptor antagonists, while pharmacotherapeutic treatments for neruoadaptations in the medial prefrontal cortex are still<unk> atively ineffective due to lacking knowledge of these adaptations on the molecular and cellular level. Cognitive behavioral techniques The various behavioral approaches to treating<unk>  focus on the precursors and consequences of drug-taking and reinstatement. Cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBT) incorporate Pavlovian conditioning and operant conditioning, characterized by positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement, in order to alter the cognitions, thoughts, and emotions associated with drug-taking behavior. A main approach of CBT is cue exposure, during which the abstinent user is repeatedly exposed to the most salient triggers without exposure to the substance in hopes that the substance will gradually lose the ability to induce drug-seeking behavior. This approach is likely to reduce the severity of a<unk>  than to prevent one from occurring altogether. Another method teaches addicts basic coping mechanisms to avoid using the illicit drug. It is important to address any deficits in coping skills, to identify the needs that likely induce drug-seeking, and to develop another way to meet them.<unk>  prevention<unk>  prevention attempts to group the factors that contribute to<unk>  into two broad categories: immediate determinants and covert antecedents. Immediate determinants are the environmental and emotional situations that are associated with<unk> , including high-risk situations that threaten an individual’s sense of control, coping strategies, and outcome expectancies. Covert antecedents, which are less obvious factors influencing<unk> , include lifestyle factors such as stress level and balance, and urges and cravings. The<unk>  prevention model teaches addicts to anticipate<unk>  by recognizing and coping with various immediate determinants and covert antecedents. The RP model shows the greatest success with treatment of alcoholism but it has not been proven superior to other treatment options.<unk>  may also be more likely to occur during certain times, such as the holiday season when stress levels are typically higher. So, emphasizing<unk>  prevention strategies during these times is ideal. Contingency management In contrast to the behavioral approaches above, contingency management concentrates on the consequences of drug use as opposed to its precursors. Addict behavior is reinforced, by reward or punishment, based on ability to remain abstinent. A common example of contingency management is a token or voucher system, in which abstinence is rewarded with tokens or vouchers that individuals can redeem for various retail items.
Relapse
Remission 
Convalescence
Residency 
Regression 
Latch 
Recrudescence
Heal 