How Drug Rehab Centers Work for Addicts
How Drug Rehab Centers Work for Addicts
Myth of Addiction: “Just Stop Using!”
With all of the consequences and dangers that addicts experience, wouldn’t you think that they would just simply decide to stop taking drugs? This is exactly what outsiders looking in at the destruction of addiction think. According to Australian psychiatrist Glenys Dore, most believe that addiction is a behavior that people bring into their lives due to lack of self-control.
Kicking the Habit Is a Group Effort
You may be familiar with the saying “It takes a village to raise a child.” The same concept applies to quitting drugs. Breaking the cycle of drug addiction isn’t as simple as pulling yourself together, it requires a support team and a lot of effort. Entering rehab is essential to turning your life around. There are rehab facilities everywhere, from California to Florida, that you can attend. Not all drug rehab centers and programs are alike, so it’s important to keep some things in mind: 1. No treatment formula works for everyone. We are each unique and so is our addiction. We shouldn’t believe that treatment is “cookie cutter.” If we try to compare ourselves to others and force ourselves into a mold, or their treatment programs, we are bound to fail. You should seek a drug rehab program that will assess your situation and custom tailor a treatment plan to meet your needs. 2. Medically supervised detox is only step one and should be followed by a drug treatment program. Detox is the first step to getting clean and should not be attempted alone. Doctors and nurses at a detox program provide 24-hour medical services to monitor and ensure safe withdrawal from drugs. After detox, it’s best to enter drug rehab immediately to avoid any chance of relapsing. The longer you wait between services, the higher your risk of returning to using. It is useful to find a drug rehab facility with a detox unit to avoid any gap in services. Detox alone cannot adequately treat all aspects of drug addiction. 3. Length of treatment counts. It’s true that shorter treatment programs work for some people and long-term rehab works for others. This certainly depends on the individual. However, research shows that 90 days of treatment shows significant improvement for individuals seeking recovery. 4. Drug addiction is more than just abusing drugs. Many parts of your life are affected by drug use, such as physical health, mental health, work and relationships. All of these factors need to be addressed in treatment. At a drug rehab center, many types of professionals including doctors, therapists and social workers help you with all facets of your situation. 5. Addicts with mental health disorders should be treated for both issues at the same time. It is common for an addict to have co-occurring disorder such as depression or anxiety. You can’t address one disorder without the other. Many times, an addict’s drug use is his or her way of coping with a mental health issue, or the mental health issue arose from the drug use. Either way, the best approach to treatment is addressing the mental health issue and the addiction at the same time.
Don’t Give Up!
The road to sobriety is not an easy one. Relapse can happen, but it doesn’t mean that your situation is hopeless. Many people have walked the same path as you and have made it through, enjoying many years and even decades of sobriety. But they will tell you that you must take it one day at a time. At Stepping Stone Center, many of our alumni have turned their lives around through hard work and the help of our knowledgeable and caring staff. Call now and begin your new life. 866-957-4960
