The process of Addiction treatment

The process of adiction treatment is mostly mental. An addict must be able to admit that the addiction is a problem. Coming to terms with the addiction is the first step, and oftentimes the most difficult one. So deeply rooted in denial, families and individuals can refuse to believe that the addiction is actually causing a problem. Truth be told drug addiction tears through the lives of the individual and everyone in their lives, leaving nothing but wreckage in it’s wake.

What Causes Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is typically caused by deep seeded emotional problems that exist from past trauma. People use drugs to numb the pain. Feelings of guilt and shame are masked by drug and alcohol use. A vicious addiction cycle occurs because the behaviors and associations that go along with drug use only cause more guilt and shame. The second step of the addiction recovery process is getting to the root of these issues, changing behaviors, and building self-esteem. Many people find salvation in drug rehab and support groups. Drug rehabilitation programs have helped millions of people free themselves of drug addiction. Sobriety is achievable. There is help out there. It just comes down to which drug rehab option is best for the individual. Don’t let drug addiction cast a shadow over your family any more. Addiction festers in the darkness and secrecy. Bring the problem out into the open. Discuss the drug treatment options with your whole family.

Contact us now to learn about the options you have when choosing a drug rehab program or addiction treatment center, before it is too late.

Alcohol addiction

Alcohol addiction (a.k.a. alcoholism) has been most commonly defined as the continual consumption of or the compulsive requirement for ingesting alcoholic beverages.  In most cases, this stems from a psychological condition or issue such as depression.  A more modern definition which has stemmed from the medical community is that alcoholism is now defined as a disease wherein the person continues to ingest alcoholic beverages regardless of the negative consequences which oftentimes result. Alcohol addiction is typically characterized by the individual’s continual cravings for drinking these types of beverages as well as their inability to limit how much they drink.  A person may be labeled as an alcoholic when they continually increase the amount they drink in order to achieve a better high.  They may also be classified as an alcoholic based on their exhibition of particular withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, or sweating.  Although current and/or ongoing usage of alcohol is not necessarily a qualifier that depicts alcohol addiction, the usage by no means is a prediction that the addiction is present.

Treatment for alcoholism

Finding the right treatment and recovery program or rehab center is a daunting enough task, but the real challenge is that the individual must first admit that they do have a problem with alcohol abuse.  Not only that, but once the admission has been made, the individual is further challenged by having to make the commitment to do something about it and seek help for their addiction. In many circumstances, a family intervention, conducted by an addiction counselor and having family members and the individual’s close friends in attendance, may be necessary.  This can have both negative as well as positive results.  The positive results that people hope to achieve by holding an intervention are that the individual admits having a problem and then seeks help immediately.  The negative results could range from the individual being angered, exhibiting an abusive or violent reaction, or just angrily leaving the meeting.

Drug addiction

One of the first things that individuals need to realize is that drug addiction is not selective.  In other words, it does not pick and choose who it attacks and affects individuals from all walks of life globally.  If you have or have had an addiction, or have lived with someone who does, you know the pain that it causes.  It is not uncommon for the addict to die in some instances, but what is so tragic is that they typically drag their family members and friends down with them. There are two immediate challenges that the drug addicted individual must face.  The first is admitting that they do have a problem, which is a difficult enough task as it is.  However, it is the decision to do something about it and go get help for that drug addiction that becomes the most challenging task for the individual suffering with an addiction.  The key is that if the individual has any hope of being treated and recovering successfully, they have to remain honest to themselves during the entire process.

Treatment for drug addiction

There are numerous drug addiction treatment and recovery programs available to the addicted individual.  Certain types of treatment may involve:

• behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavior therapies
• counseling and/or psychotherapy
• medical treatment
• a combination of the above

In addition to these, drug addiction can oftentimes be successfully treated and recovered from through several different types or categories of treatment that numerous drug rehab facilities are now offering their clients.  These include:

• Long-term residential treatment – client care programs that last up to 28 days on a residential or live-in basis
• Short-term residential treatment – a shorter period of in-house treatment and recovery, sometimes only 7 days in length
• Outpatient drug-free treatment – benefits those individuals who have a hectic schedule filled with career and family responsibilities
• Agonist maintenance treatment – typically geared to individuals that are addicted to opiates
• Narcotic antagonist treatment – treats the addicted individual by administering doses of Naltrexone on an out-patient basis
• Medical detoxification treatment – involves medically treating the individual’s addiction under the supervision of a physician

The detoxification process

Without a doubt, the most difficult stage that the addicted individual is confronted with during treatment and recovery is the detoxification process.  After checking into a drug rehab facility and the initial assessment interview, the first step taken towards breaking the person’s addiction is the detox stage.  This stage of the treatment and recovery process is fraught with all types of unpleasantries. Detoxification is basically a process wherein the individual rids their bodies of the substance that they are addicted to.  Certain physical, mental, and emotional consequences as well as withdrawal symptoms begin almost immediately.  It is not uncommon to see individuals suffering with:

• anxiety and behavioral issues
• erratic behavior or mood swings which can turn violent
• fatigue or feeling physically drained
• hallucinations or delusional visions
• insomnia and other sleep disorders
• nausea and vomiting
• feeling clammy and sweating heavily regardless of the level of activity or exercise being participated in

Finding the right alcohol and drug rehab program

A lot of the addicted individual’s difficulties in the early going stems from the fact that there hundreds of alcohol-drug rehab facilities and programs available to the client.  Selecting the right one becomes very challenging as every individual is different and had different needs.  Not only are these needs emotional, mental, and physical, sometimes there are spiritual needs involved as well.  Therefore, it becomes necessary to find a rehab center and programs that target the addicted person’s specific needs. Remember first and foremost that alcohol and drug addiction do not follow a Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 schedule.  Therefore, the first thing you want to look for is a drug rehab facility that is there for you around the clock.  We are always there for you regardless of what your schedule is like.  If you feel that you or someone close to you has a problem with alcohol and/or drugs, you should consider contacting us immediately.