Drug Rehab Treatments

In today’s society the pressures of trying to keep one’s head above water and pay the bills has resulted in more and more of us turning to alcohol and drugs as a means of escape. Unfortunately for many, this then becomes a habit; which can then turn into a very real and very dangerous addiction, which can in turn result in a host of problems; from losing one’s job to hurting our friends and family. Drug rehabilitation is something that most addicts will not admit that they need, and so it can often be up to loved ones to make take the first step. Watching someone you really love slowly deteriorate into someone you can no longer recognize is a painful experience, especially when the person you love is not aware of their change. With drug abuse rehab you have a genuine solution to overcoming their addiction. A host of short term and long term addiction treatments are available, where beautiful surrounds will make the process of drug rehabilitation run smoothly. Whether the addiction is related to alcohol abuse, marijuana, heroin, crack, cocaine, or even gambling, there are individually catered drug rehab programs that last from two to 24 weeks.

Drug Rehabilitation

With so many people turning to drugs, alcohol and gambling as a means to escape from the daily grind of reality, it is almost difficult to spot when loved ones have moved from being occasionally interested in a drink or a smoke, to being an addict. That’s why private drug rehab clinics are trying to reach out to family members to help them save their loved ones from ruining their lives.

Drug and Alcohol Rehab

For anyone with a serious drug, alcohol or gambling addiction seeking help to overcome their problem or for anyone with someone close to them with similar ailments then there are drug rehab clinics that have the necessary means to help solve and conquer your addiction. The periods of drug rehabilitation vary depending on your time available, with two week intensive drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs designed for people who have work and family priorities to the longer 12 or 24 weeks programs. With a specialist team of counselors, medical staff and nurses on hand round the clock, and with some excellent facilities, everything is in place to ensure patients receive the best level of care in an environment that will help them improve quickly. Whether it be alcohol or drug addiction rehab the methods used are similar and have the end goal of to see that patients leave with a positive outlook and clean of addiction. Drug rehabilitation can work for addictions to crack, heroin and marijuana.

Addiction Types

Each year, millions of Americans succumb to the dark forces of substance addiction such as alcoholism, prescription drug abuse, and chemical dependency or behavioral addiction such as gambling or sex addiction.

The consequences on society are staggering, a partial list includes:

Serious or fatal accidents

Driving under the influence

Crime

Violence

Overdose

Child abuse

Homelessness

Wrecked families

Mental Illness

Elevated health costs

Absenteeism

One out of eight Americans (27 million) is a heavy drinker or abuses illegal drugs (Source: SAMHSA)

Nearly 12% of all youth consume illegal drugs by age eighteen (Source: U.S. Substance and Mental Health Services Administration)

18 million Americans have an alcohol addiction problem (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)

More than 19 million individuals over the age 12 abuse illicit drugs in the U.S. (Mayo Clinic)

Between two and four percent of adults in the U.S. are classified as compulsive gamblers (University of California).

Addictions are defined as the habitual compulsion to engage in a certain activity or utilize a substance, notwithstanding the devastating consequences on the individual's physical, social, spiritual, mental, and financial well-being. Instead of addressing life's obstacles, tackling daily stress and/or confronting past or present trauma, the addict responds maladaptively by resorting to a pseudo coping mechanism. Addiction offers an illusory refuge and leads individuals down a self-destructive path that takes a heavy toll on the addict as well as on his or her family, community, and employer. Addiction alters the emotions of the user, who turns to the substance in search of a psychological high or a fast chemical fix. The addict uses the substance or engages in the activity to achieve stress relief, attain a sense of control, change his or her mood, and/or banish real-life issues.

Typically, addiction manifests both psychological and physical characteristics. Physical dependence occurs when an individual's body develops a dependence on a certain substance and experiences withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuing the consumption. Abuse of caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, barbiturates, marijuana, opiates, amphetamines, cocaine, and/or benzodiazepines trigger physical dependence. While initially an addictive substance induces pleasure to the user, his or her continued consumption is driven more by a need to eliminate the anxiety brought about by its absence, thus leading the individual to compulsive behavior. In addiction, the addict's physical dependence on the substance often becomes a determinative factor in his ongoing use of the drug. Psychological dependency becomes evident when the addict experiences withdrawal symptoms such as depression, cravings, insomnia, and irritability. Both behavioral addiction and substance addiction usually give rise to psychological dependence.

The speed with which an addict becomes dependent varies with his or her psychological susceptibility, genetic makeup, social factors, the substance itself, the degree of euphoria or pleasure, the form of ingestion, and the frequency and volume of consumption. Addiction is a progressive disease, with the user needing a larger quantity of the substance to achieve tolerance, or the dopamine intoxication effect. The addict often progresses to more powerful substances trying to re-experience their initial 'high.' Addiction produces a state of chaos and wreaks havoc on every facet of an individual's life- from family and personal relationships, spiritual existence, and social life, to health, business relationships, and finances. It leads to legal problems, low self-esteem, self-loathing, broken values, broken promises, difficulties in the workplace, and failed marriages and/or disintegration of close relationships. Substance abuse and behavioral addiction cause an addict's life to become unmanageable and his or her lifestyle to spiral out of control.

Some of the common forms of substance abuse addictions are as follows:

Alcoholism

Nicotine addiction

Cocaine addiction

Opiate addiction (i.e. heroin addiction)

Meth addiction

Marijuana addiction

Caffeine addiction

Steroid addiction

Prescription addiction (i.e. Vicodin addiction)

The leading drug problem in the U.S. is alcohol, which affects all ages and ethnic groups, professions, religions, and I.Q. levels. Another major problem is prescription addiction, which typically involves stimulants (i.e. Ritalin) and opiods (i.e. Vicodin, OxyContin). Stimulants are generally prescribed to treat attention deficit disorder, while opioids are usually prescribed to relieve pain.

Behavioral addiction involves activities, and this type of dependency displays the same central components found in substance abuse, namely withdrawal and relapse, tolerance, and mood changes.

Behavioral addictions include the following:

Gambling addiction

Food addiction

Pornography addiction

Work addiction

Sex addiction

Love addiction

Exercise addiction

Video game addiction

Shopping addiction

Exploring sexual addiction as an example form of behavioral addiction, sex addiction is often identified by the following forms of compulsion:

Voyeurism

Exhibitionism

Indulgence in pornography

Multiple affairs

Acting out of self-destructive behavior

Prostitution

Anonymous sexual relations

Reckless sexual practices

The negative repercussions of sex addiction include

Unwanted pregnancies

Exposure to sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS

Degradation of personal relationships

Loss of employment opportunities

Failure to assume responsibilities

Attitude change

Truancy

Stealing

Selling personal items

Changes in acquaintances and friendships

Declining scholastic or professional performance

Change in personal appearance

Absenteeism

Change of or loss of interest in leisure activities.

Addiction symptoms are also evident on the physical level, and these include:

Withdrawal symptoms

Changes in sleeping patterns

Weight gain or loss

Addiction Recovery Process

Addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling, nicotine, sex or other substances and behaviors is a form of bondage holding its prisoner's mind and body hostage. Recovery is the addict's answer to a personal cry for help and a manifestation of his or her will to break the chains of addiction. After losing their sense of direction and finding themselves psychologically shipwrecked somewhere along life's shores, substance abusers must learn to ask for help. They must then be ready and willing to follow a structured, progressive plan for addiction recovery. By exercising willpower and demonstrating the courage to confront the truth as well as the discipline to complete a methodical recovery program, addicts improve their prospects for a healthy, balanced, and meaningful life. While the road to recovery may be long and winding for some chemically-dependent individuals, the destination of sobriety and clean living is within reach for all addicts. Through self-healing, sober-minded individuals can also heal their relationship to society and loved ones. Regardless of which substance abuse or drug recovery program the addict chooses to initiate a long-term cure, the cornerstone of success is his or her admission of a problem.

Any genuine recovery process consists of a number of critical steps including the following:

1. Overcoming denial

The first step in addiction recovery involves the surrender of denial and the honest admission by which addicts admit, either to themselves and/or to others, that they have a substance abuse problem. It is imperative that individuals who seek to be sober realize and accept the necessity to change addictive patterns of behavior.

2. Seeking help

There are numerous avenues for obtaining support and guidance, such as a 12 step program, a drug & alcohol rehabilitation program (including our Treatment4Addiction Center), and individual counseling.

3. Completing a detoxification program

The next step involves checking into a detox rehabilitation center for the purpose of ensuring a safe and thorough withdrawal from the substance in question.

4. Entering and engaging in addiction recovery program

The addict may need to continue treatment in a residential, outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation center, depending on his or her overall temperament and age, as well as the duration and severity of his or her addiction.

5. Maintaining sobriety

For many recovering substance abusers, staying sober is a lifelong process. To help them cope with personal issues and keep them on the right track, they may choose to avail themselves of the following types of aid: (1) a 12 step program or alternative 12-step program, (2) psychological support and transportation from friends and family, (3) employee assistance, (4) individual or group therapy; (5) legal assistance, and/or (6) medical and psychological services. Some addicts choose to help others through advocacy and activism, as well as through non-profit organizations.

Many studies have shown that permanent abstinence is achieved by nearly one-third of addicts from their initial recovery-geared efforts. Another one-third achieves lasting abstinence after a few short-lived relapse episodes. The last third undergoes chronic relapses that ultimately lead to death as a result of chemical dependency. Since relapse is a probability for some and a certainty for others, prevention strategies are primordial in that they serve a useful purpose. The key is to recognize and manage the warning signs before they degenerate into a using incident. Through relapse prevention therapy, addicts learn to become cognizant of the symptoms and triggers that tempt them back to their substance of choice. Common triggers include associating with other substance abusers, entering a bar, looking at a particular photograph, or smelling a certain odor.

To ensure progress along the path to sobriety, addicts should (1) choose healthy and positive substitutes for their problematic substance, (2) form a wholesome support group, and (3) avoid or reduce contact with enablers and toxic individuals. The substitutes chosen to replace the object of craving will vary from one addict to the next. Addicts are also encouraged to take stock of the consequences of relapse and may receive training in thought-stopping. Some effective strategies for preventing or derailing relapse and refocusing energy on a constructive activity include the following:

Channeling self-destructive energy into yoga, meditation, and exercise

Consuming products containing sugar or caffeine

Engaging in religious activities and prayer

Working in the yard

Speaking to a friend, therapist or sponsor when 'permission thoughts' emerge

Strengthening communication and interpersonal skills with the help of a therapist

Seeking individual or group counseling

Joining support groups or a 12 step recovery group such as Alcoholics Anonymous

A wide range of addiction recovery programs is available for individuals coping with substance abuse problems or compulsive or dysfunctional behaviors. Some of the most beneficial programs are as follows:

1. 12 step program

The vast majority of drug and alcohol rehab centers throughout the U.S. integrate portions of the 12 step program into their therapeutic modules. Initially intended for alcoholics in recovery (Alcoholics Anonymous), this program has since become the foundation for other 12 step recovery groups such as (1) Narcotics Anonymous, (2) Sexual Compulsives Anonymous, (3) Pills Anonymous (for prescription pill addicts), (4) Marijuana Anonymous, (5) Gamblers Anonymous, (6) Cocaine Anonymous, (7) Methadone Anonymous, and 6) Nicotine Addiction Anonymous. The 12-step program centers on spiritual awakening principles that involve replacing egocentrism with moral awareness, selfless constructive behavior, and altruism. Some of the precepts incorporated into the 12 steps are as follows:

Recognizing the presence of a Higher power;

Reaching out to other addicts;

Living a new life by adopting a new behavioral code;

Making amends for past behavior; and

Analyzing substance abuse transgressions with a sponsor's help.

2. Alternative treatment programs

Addicts may instead opt for an alternative treatment program, whether religious-based, secular and rational, or online. Some of these programs adhere to the belief that drug and alcohol addiction is not a disease, and that addicts are not powerless over substance abuse. Individuals may choose from an extensive array of alternative programs, such as:

Meditation, Tai Chi, and yoga training

Holistic therapy

Alternative medicine

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Psychological counseling

Biofeedback

Life skills training

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Self-esteem boosting skills

Motivation therapy

3. Wellness coaching

Addicts may consult a wellness coach for guidance and recommendations concerning (1) management of health risks, (2) stress reduction, (3) fitness, (4) weight management, and (5) nutrition.

4. Self help

Self help measures are also available to sobriety-minded individuals, and these include:

Self help support groups;

Online resources such as recovery events, meeting locators, articles, online blogs and journals, internet discussion groups, and message boards;

Sobriety videos; and

Books on recovery.

Drug Rehab Programs

Selecting a drug rehab center is one of the most important and difficult decisions you will make in your lifetime. Few of us know what to look for in a quality rehab program and not all drug rehabilitation centers are alike. Each drug rehab has its own program options, staff qualifications, credentials, cost, and effectiveness.

Asking appropriate questions when you call a drug treatment center for information is important and you should expect to receive clear answers.

Before you make any decisions-ask questions and get the facts!

Does the drug rehab offer a variety of programs?

Alcohol and drug addiction are diseases that progress through predictable stages. It takes a trained health professional, often a doctor specializing in addiction medicine, to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most appropriate treatment, whether it be outpatient counseling or an inpatient alchol and drug rehab.

A drug rehabilitation treatment center should offer a variety of treatment programs that meet individual needs. Programs may include inpatient, residential, outpatient, and/or short-stay options.

The difference between inpatient and a residential treatment center is that inpatient services are provided by a licensed hospital, while residential programs usually do not meet the same rigorous standards of medical care.

The length of stay depends on the severity and stage of the disease.

How much does a drug rehab center cost?

"How much does it cost?" is often one of the first questions asked when someone calls a drug rehab program.

The price tag for drug rehab treatment depends on the type of rehab you choose. You need to know what is included, what will be added to your bill as a fee-for-service program, and what services your health insurance will cover. This makes it extremely difficult to compare prices by simply asking the question - "What does rehab cost?" The best way to find out the range of costs for rehab is to talk to an intake advisor. You can discuss your insurance coverage or your financial concerns and they will help you narrow down your choices to what best meets your needs in the most affordable way.

If you are seeking the best value for your treatment dollar, remember: Price can be meaningful only in the context of quality and performance.

Also remember that the cost of drug addiction and alcoholism, if not treated, can far exceed the cost of treatment.

Is the drug rehab treatment program medically based?

There is an advantage to including on-site medical care in a Drug Rehab. Physicians and nurses provide 24-hour hospital services to monitor and ensure a safe withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. In addition, a medical staff specializing in addiction medicine can oversee the progress of each individual and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

Medical credentials and accreditation can also be important. For example, a chemical dependency Drug Rehab that earns JCAHO accreditation (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) meets national standards for providing quality medical care. Appropriate state licensing is also an important consideration.

Be sure to ask which medical costs are included in the price of treatment at the drug rehab.

What is the degree of family involvement in a drug rehab program?

Drug abuse and alcoholism affects the entire family, not just the alcoholic/addict. Quite often family members do not realize how deeply they have been affected by chemical dependency. Family involvement is an important component of recovery.

Drug Rehabs vary in the degree and quality of family involvement opportunities. Some offer just a few lectures and others offer family therapy. Ask if there is any time devoted to family programs and if group therapy is included.

Does drug rehabilitation include a quality continuing care program?

There are no quick fixes for the diseases of drug abuse and alcoholism. Recovery is an ongoing process. The skills one learns during intensive rehabilitation treatment must be integrated into everyday life and this takes time.

Some drug addiction treatment programs will offer a follow-up program but only in one location which may make it difficult to use.

Drug rehabilitation treatment programs should include a quality, continuing care program that supports and monitors recovery.

Disclaimer: This Web site is designed for fun. We are not doctors and do not give medical advise. Before doing anything that might be weird or strange be sure and visit your doctor, shrink or priest to get their opinion first as they are experts and we are only writers. What do we know? nothing at all so whatever you read on this web site you must take with a pound of salt - that is understand that it's about humor and love and fun and not about medicine or healing or god.