Drug Rehab Overview

An effective drug rehab program is one that helps individuals overcome the psychological and physical components of addiction.   This is done, primarily through three core processes:  drug detox, drug counseling and aftercare.

• Drug detox.  Detoxification is the important first step in the recovery  process.   Depending upon the addictive drug in question, an individual will need to cease their intake of the substance for up to two weeks or more in order to rid their system of harmful toxins.  This process may be difficult – as the individual is likely to experience a number of withdrawal symptoms that, although aren’t life threatening, may lead to discomfort and relapse.  Once the drug detox process is complete, the individual in considered to have moved past their physical addiction to drugs – and can continue on with the rest of the rehab process.
• Drug counseling.   In order to enjoy long-lasting sobriety, an addicted individual must address the core issues behind his or her addiction.  This is accomplished through counseling and therapy.   During counseling, the individual is given a chance to talk openly and honestly about their condition (which in and of itself often represents a breakthrough) and with the help of professionals learn about the ”triggers” that have led to substance abuse in the past.   The three most common types of counseling are individual, group and family therapy.
• Aftercare.   Once an individual “graduates” from a drug rehab program, they still must face the challenge of returning to their daily lives as a sober person.   Aftercare aids this transition by providing support and accountability through a number of different options including: follow up counseling, 12-step programs (such as Narcotics Anonymous) and time spent at a sober living home.

Taken together, these three processes help the individual get clean, and learn to master the essential tools needed to stay that way.  That are no “easy answers” when it comes to overcoming addiction, however, rehab provides the foundation needed to live the healthiest, happiest life imaginable.

There are many different kinds of drug rehab centers – including those for teens, drug treatment for women only and holistic rehabilitation facilities.  However, the choice first and foremost comes down to either residential or outpatient care.

Residential drug rehab has the individual moving into the facility for a month or longer (in some cases as long as a full year) so that they may focus exclusively on their recovery.   Individuals at residential drug treatment centers receive round the clock care, and gain support from staff as well as other individuals in the program.   This is an optimal solution for those who have a history of relapse, or are negatively impacted by their home environment (stress, temptation, etc.).

Outpatient programs offers many of the same things as residential care (detox, counseling and aftercare) however, rather than stay overnight at the program, individuals attend treatment during the day and then are free to do as they wish with the rest of the their time.  Outpatient addiction treatment is recommended for those with less serious addiction issues – or who are unwilling or unable to put their lives on hold in order to attend treatment.

Alcohol Rehab Overview

Alcohol rehab engages in many of the same practices as drug rehab, but (as the name suggests) with a focus on the physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.   There are a few notable differences in the approach taken by alcohol treatment professionals as they perform detox, counseling and aftercare duties.

• Alcohol detox. Individuals who go through the alcohol detox process often report that it was the most challenging part of the entire process.   Alcoholism withdrawal symptoms are among the strongest of their kind, and feature symptoms not associated with even the most powerful drugs (including “the DTs”, seizures and other serious health issues).
• Alcohol counseling. The focus of alcohol counseling is different in some ways than drug treatment counseling.   The reasons why individuals become alcoholics are often unique from any other condition. There is a “social” element to alcohol consumption that makes it difficult to overcome – and therefore the counselor and patient must work closely to develop ongoing strategies for staying sober in the years following treatment.
• Aftercare.  When an individual leaves a residential alcohol rehab or an outpatient alcoholism treatment program, they must step back into their daily lives as a “new person”.   This can be a challenge, especially when friends want a glass of wine at dinner, or a couple of beers at the big game.  How does one handle this?   Alcoholism treatment aftercare provides essential support when faced with temptation, or bombarded with the alcohol advertising and “lifestyle” that our media often puts forth.

A program generally lasts between one and three months – but long-term rehab may be available for those who have been suffering from alcoholism for a long period of time – or have a sustained history of relapse.

Drug addiction and alcoholism remain one of our society’s greatest issues.   We live in a world where millions of people suffer from addiction, yet only a small percentage get the professional help they need to turn their lives around.   By learning about the different types of alcohol and drug treatment, the cost of these programs, and what actually goes on behind the walls of the most effective treatment centers in the country, you will be better equipped to help yourself, or your loved ones overcome this insidious disease.

Addition Treatment Overview

What Gets Treated at Drug Rehab Programs?

Among the most common conditions currently being treated at treatment centers across the U.S. are:

Heroin Related Issues

Heroin is the most addictive and habit forming drug being abused in the world today. The drug, an opiate, is manufactured by extracting the naturally occurring morphine from the seeds of the Asian opium poppy plant. Recent figures have put the export value through the world heroin trade to be well in excess of 64 billion dollars according to the UNODC. This has lead to a sustained supply of heroin in the world market and maintains the need for heroin treatment centers to help addicts overcome their life threatening addictions. Aggressive treatments can include certain medications to help users cope with their withdrawal symptoms and as a form of relapse prevention. There continues to be some controversy over the use of these types of medications since they too can lead to dependence.

Prescription Drugs

Prescription painkillers are prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain in individuals that have suffered from a physical trauma or those who have long-term chronic issue with pain. This type of medication is an opiod based analgesic that attaches to the opiod receptors in the user’s brain to block the signals of pain. These drugs can be habit forming and lead to a prescription drug addiction. In fact, painkillers are among the most abused drug in the prescription drug category and in 2009 alone, 5.3 million Americans abused prescription painkillers at least once in that year according to NIDA. As a whole, it has been estimated that over 52 million Americans have used a prescription drug for non-medical purposes at least one time in their lifetime.

Painkillers

Beyond painkillers, there are many other forms of drugs being prescribed to treat any number of mental illnesses or behavioral problems. While the benefits of taking these drugs to help manage a psychological problem can far outweigh the risks of not, dependence can sometimes become a more serious problem that may require some form of treatment to help battle a new formed addiction. Most individuals who follow their doctors’ orders and don’t abuse the drug will not have to worry about addiction. However, even a well intentioned users can easily fall into dependence if they begin to rationalize an increase in their dosage without first seeking advice from a doctor.

ADD and ADHD Treatments

Sleeping Aides

Treatment of Anxiety, Stress and Panic

This is by no means an exhaustive list (drugs tend to go in and out of “style” with the passing decades). Taken together however, they do make up the lion’s share of the cases being seen at addiction treatment facilities in 2011.