Frequently, when you hear the word rehab, images of Hollywood stars come to mind. You envision them checking into a rehabilitation center to treat their flashy drug addiction. It almost seems like a disease of the rich. The reality, of course, is hardly as glamorous. Substance abuse is a problem affecting millions of people, across every demographic.
You’re just as likely to find your high school quarterback getting treated or even the banker from down the street.
To understand what a rehabilitation facility does, you first need to understand what it is. A rehabilitation facility is a treatment center designed to cure addiction to drugs or alcohol. There are over 11,000 state licensed rehab facilities in the United States alone, not to mention private facilities. They range from residential care to out-patient to hospital in-patient and are open to both teens and adults. These centers offer treatment for cocaine, heroin, and even prescription drug addiction, to name a few.
Although many people believe the old adage “you have to want help before you can get it,” many drug abusers who seek rehab are put into care by their family, friends, or even the law. In fact, in 1999, over half of the teenagers admitted into treatment centers were ordered there by the justice system. The fact that they didn’t admit themselves did not make their treatment less beneficial.
Studies show the most effective amount of time spent in a residential or out-patient program is ninety days or more. An in-patient program requires at least twenty-one days for treatment to be effective. But overall, studies have proven that long term commitment brings the most success. Adult patients who receive rehabilitation treatment for an entire year or more actually double their odds of remaining drug free, while teenagers are more than one and a half times more likely to abstain.
Such odds are encouraging. So what are some steps you should take before choosing a facility for addiction treatment? The first thing to investigate is whether or not the treatment center is licensed. This is key, as addiction should be administered by a trained and experienced professional in the field. This is often a doctor with a specialty in addiction medicine. The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It works to ensure rehabilitation centers are available and up to standard.
The next question to ask is, is this facility covered by your insurance? If not, can you take on the financial responsibility? Several centers accept insurance, but it’s important to check with your provider before enrolling. Sometimes treatment can take longer than planned, so it’s a good idea to map out the worst-case scenario. Outpatient treatment is more cost-efficient than inpatient care, but every case is unique. Some may even require inpatient stays. Investigate all the options available to find a treatment center that works within your budget.
Another important question to ask is, does the treatment facility stress maintenance ? In other words, what will happen after the patient is back in the real world? Statistics show that without a solid plan to avoid or handle addiction triggers , patients often relapse into the behavior that brought them to the facility to begin with. It’s important to find a rehab center that provides appropriate counseling to both the patient and patient’s loved ones to ensure future success in recovery.
Daunting? Absolutely. No one plans to suffer from substance abuse but it’s nothing to be ashamed of. The important thing is to take the necessary steps to insure recovery. With the proper treatment, a drug-free life is still an option. The first step is up to you.
"Thank you for helping me find a great rehab. I am really glad I called. Privacy was a big concern for me. Alan was very knowledgeable about all the top-tier rehabs and helped me narrow it down to the ones where I could be sure my privacy would be respected. "
"I just want to say thank you. You found me a rehab center where for the first time I was able to get the healing I needed in a quiet, private space without constant attention. All I could hear when I woke up in the morning was the sound of the ocean and the birds. It was exactly the kind of space I needed to heal."
Detox Programs
Detox programs are widely available for drug addictions today. There are different programs for different addictions but the main goal of any detox program is to rid the addict’s body of the addictive substance. Detoxification is the first step to treating an addiction. It simply eliminates the drug from the person’s body. It doesn’t address any of the emotional aspects of addiction such as behavioral changes, psychological impacts and social issues. These must begin to be addressed as soon as Detox is completed.
Detox programs involve either a medical detoxification and or a non-medical detoxification of the addict’s body. Medical Detox encompasses a wide variety of detoxification techniques used by medical professionals. They can include everything from simple observation by professionals during the natural physical detoxification of the addict’s body to medical intervention. This includes the use of tranquilizers or other drugs to lessen the addict’s withdrawal symptoms. A variety of medical Detox programs can be used, depending on the type of drug, how severe the addiction is and the general philosophy of the Detox facility.
Non-medical detox allows the body to rid itself of drugs (including alcohol) IF no more toxic substances are introduced. This is sometimes called “going cold turkey.” Many people try this option for addictions such as cigarette smoking and other nicotine dependencies. Non-medical Detox can be detrimental to the user in cases of severe addictions and heavily dependent drugs. Check with a physician before attmpting this type of detox.
Drug detox can be a painful process, both mentally and physically. The side effects of heroin withdrawal, for instance, can include nausea, dry throat, headaches, hallucinations, fevers, chills, shakes, paranoia, and a host of other un-pleasantries. Alcohol addicts often go through what are known as DTs during withdrawal. Heavy opiate users might have to be brought down with specific detoxification medicines. In certain cases, going cold turkey can actually create major health hazards which will require hospitalization.
Detox is best done under the supervision of a medical staff trained in drug treatment and specializing in detoxification. Some things to consider when choosing a medical Detox program include the number of medically trained staff on site versus the number of patients, the philosophy of the Detox program’s facility, what post-detox treatments are available (if any), how the actual physical detoxification process will take place (for example, will there be a nurse available at all hours?), and what the facility specializes in.
With knowledge and courage, the right Detox program help any addict to begin the process of drug addiction recovery.