Illicit or prescribed drug abuse addiction is a brain disease, that like any other disease, can be treated effectively. Years of research has proven this. there is not one single treatment that is appropriate fro all individuals addicted to prescription medications. The type of drug used and the needs of the individual must be taken into account when deciding on a proper treatment. In order for a treatment o be successful, several components, including detoxification, counselling, and in some cases, pharmacological therapies all need to be incorporated. In order for a patient to make a successful recovery, multiple courses of treatments may need to be used.

There are two essential categories of drug addiction treatment. These treatments are behavioural and pharmacological. Behavioural treatments encourage patients to put an end to drug use, and handle a relapse if that should occur. These treatments include individual counselling, contingence management, and cognitive-behavioural therapies.

Some addictions, such as opioid addiction, can be treated with medications. These drug treatments, counter the effects these drugs have on the brain. They also relieve withdrawal symptoms, treat an overdose, and or prevent drug cravings. Effective research shows that a combination of behavioral and pharmacological approaches are more useful when combined to treat opioid addiction.