Enrolling in a rehab treatment program is vital for an addict who wants to overcome his or her addiction. Abruptly quitting is dangerous and is usually unsuccessful. The process of becoming clean and sober is arduous; the likelihood of relapse is lowest when the addict enrolls in a professional treatment program. Rehab facilities are often substance specific: some specialize in a particular type of drug, some specialize in alcohol, some specialize in a specific gender or age group, and so forth. Some facilities can accommodate multiple substance addictions simultaneously, but not all are equipped to do this.
Definition of Drug Rehab
Drug rehab is a structured program that aims to help an addict overcome his or her addiction and return to a normal, drug-free lifestyle. Usually, the patient will undergo some form of detoxification before beginning his or her treatment regimen. Detox is necessary to rid the body of the addictive substance(s) and the deleterious effects on both the physical and mental health of the patient.
A successful treatment plan will include the initial detoxification, frequent counseling both individually and in group therapy, psychological counseling, classes on behavior modification, and so forth. The objective of these programs is to change the way the addict views their substance. Many users see their drug as a friend who helps them through difficult times.
Often, an individual’s addiction has an emotional component such as physical, mental, or sexual abuse; feelings of unworthiness, the inability to cope with traumatic events, and other issues may also be the cause of the addiction. In their treatment program, patients learn to recognize factors that may trigger a relapse, and the best methods to cope with those situations or how to avoid them altogether.
Many rehab programs last for about a month. However, successful treatment may require a longer stay. Occasionally, a patient will be released early but regardless of the length of the treatment required, the successful transition to a drug-free lifestyle is the primary objective for both the clinic and the patient.
Committing to Recovery
If an addict is not committed to achieving recovery from his or her addiction, it will not happen. For this reason, a patient will usually enroll himself or herself voluntarily into the rehab facility; the patient is free to leave at any time during the stay.
Even if an individual is ordered by the court to undergo a rehab treatment, it can still be successful as long as the addict is willing to make the effort. Sometimes an initial reluctance can be reversed by association with the others who are in the rehab program.
Committing to recovery encompasses all aspects of the addict’s life, from the friends who are chosen to leisure activities that are engaged in, to the area in which he or she lives. The most successful outcome will involve friends and loved ones; they will become the support group for the recovering addict and help him, or she maintain the hard-won sobriety.
The rehab patient will be tasked with setting realistic goals for his or her recovery. Setting both short-term and long-term goals will help the rehab patient to see that he or she is making process. It also helps the family to understand that there is hope that their loved one will overcome the evil influence of addiction.
Part of the commitment to recovery involves continued attendance at support groups after the treatment period at the facility has ended. Meeting with other recovering addicts is one of the best ways to prevent a relapse. It is also an excellent method for making new friends who will encourage and support each other.
Medication in Rehab
Reputable rehab clinics have doctors on staff to oversee the continued health of the patients. Often, medication will be administered to the addict to regulate the body’s physiological reaction to the loss of the addictive drug. Medication is also used to control the psychological component that absence of the addictive substance(s) can trigger.
The duration of the drug regimen will vary according to the individual. Some people may need the medication for a short time; others may take longer to transition to a healthy, drug-free state. The length of time the drug is administered depends in part on the duration of time the patient was an addict as well as the age and health of the individual.
Life Changes in Addiction Rehab
When a user decides to enter rehab, his or her life will completely change in a dramatic fashion. Often, users are unconcerned with responsibility or healthy behavior; the drug is the sole focus of his or her life. Since addiction can cause emotional damage to loved ones, part of the treatment program includes counseling for the loved ones who have been hurt and guidance on healing.
When the patient begins to function in a drug-free manner, he or she will need to reevaluate all aspects of his or her life and may require instructions that are appropriate to the age at which he or she became addicted. Responsibilities such as paying bills, going to work, and the like, may be a new or unaccustomed way of life for the recovering addict. Patience will be required, both for the addict and for the friends and family members that are the support group. To hone their coping skills, many rehab patients continue to meet with a counselor after their treatment ends.
If friends were also addicts, then new friendships will need to be formed to prevent a return to the addicted way of life. It is possible that a return to the old neighborhood will prevent success with the new lifestyle, so relocating to another area may be required. Finding new leisure activities is crucial to avoid a relapse into the old entertainment of getting high.
Becoming drug-free is a long journey, but it is worth it. Remaining drug-free is a lifetime commitment.
