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Choosing The Right Drug Rehab Facility calrehabguide.com

Drug addiction is a debilitating disease. It can addiction tear a family apart, lead to financial ruin, and can also lead to the premature death of the addict. A drug rehab facility is the best source for a person looking for assistance with addiction problems. Therefore, it is necessary to determine what type of rehab facility best suits the individual`s needs

The two primary levels of rehabilitation treatment are inpatient and outpatient. Programs where the individual lives at the facility while undergoing treatment are typically defined as inpatient or residential facilities. Inpatient treatment is recommended for people who have not been successful in outpatient treatment, who have a very serious substance abuse problem, those needing medical or psychiatric observation, and those who do not have a stable outside support system.

Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, permits the individual to continue with his or her regular life while still reporting to the rehab center for assistance and guidance. Outpatient treatment might be indicated for those people having a high motivation for recovery, ability to voluntarily discontinue using drugs or alcohol, healthy support systems, and stable medical and employment conditions.

Regardless of the type of program the person with an addiction follows, the basics of treatment are similar. Some key components of treatment include detoxification, an assessment based on medical examinations and psychological evaluations, therapy, and aftercare.

The first step in the treatment process is typically detoxification. It is difficult for any type of treatment to be effective unless the body has rid itself of the harmful toxins resulting from alcohol and or drug abuse. Great care must be undertaken on behalf of the treatment facility when detoxing a patient. Not only can detox be extremely uncomfortable, certain drugs like barbiturates and alcohol can lead to life-threatening withdrawals. Not all treatment centers are licensed for the detoxification process. As a result, the addict may have to detox in a hospital or licensed detox facility before starting treatment in a facility not licensed for detox.

In the detox phase, patients generally undergo a 24-hour medically supervised detoxification and withdrawal period. Others may require longer periods of time with direct medical supervision because of the type, amount and duration of consumed drugs. During this part of detox, some patients are forced to abstain from alcohol and or drugs. Other patients may require medications, such as buprenorphine, to assist them through this period. For many patients coping with addiction, this may be the longest time they have gone without drinking or using in many years.

The medical examination typically conducted by the rehab facility upon admission is meant to help the staff identify any physical problems the person with an addiction may have. Often, these physical problems are actually caused by the addiction. Problems with the liver, for example, may have developed as a result of the addiction. Testing for infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases may also be covered in the preliminary exam. After medical problems have been identified, the staff of the rehab center can take the necessary steps to direct medical attention to those areas and begin working toward improving the patient`s quality of life.

The patient`s physical health is an important component of addiction recovery. Many rehab centers adopt a holistic approach to get an addict back on the road toward recovery. This includes taking care of the patient`s physical, mental, and emotional health. Without this three-pronged approach, the patient is more likely to fail in the process of addiction recovery and return to a life of substance abuse.

A psychological assessment provides the staff of the rehab center with volumes of important information about the patient. This information helps the therapists and counselors better understand the patient and craft a more individualized treatment plan. The therapists can determine whether the person suffering from addiction is also struggling from certain psychological problems. For example, a person suffering from alcohol addiction may also suffer from depression. If this is the case, the program developed to assist the patient in recovery will also include a plan to address other psychological needs.

Generally, treatment facilities will provide both group and individual therapy to its patients. Other forms of therapy may be available such as family therapy, vocational therapy, solution focused therapy, etc. The group therapy is designed to give the person with an addiction support from others who are experiencing the same difficulties. Being able to share in the struggles with those who can truly understand often makes the process easier for a patient to deal with.

Individual counseling is also critical to addiction recovery. Having the opportunity to work one-on-one with a counselor helps the patient work through his or her own individual conflicts which, in some cases, caused the addiction in the first place. Through individual therapy, the patient can come to terms with his or her addiction and work through ways to resolve it by setting individual goals.

Extended care, also referred to as aftercare, is vital to the success of addiction recovery. Through an extended care program, the patient continues to receive support and assistance from the rehab facility after being released.

Extended care programs are designed to help monitor the patient`s success in the recovery process. To do this effectively, the program staff checks the progress of the patient in follow up sessions to be sure he or she is utilizing the new skills gained during rehab. For instance, the extended care specialist may work with the patient to be sure he or she is staying away from specific crowds of people that encourage drinking. Or, the extended care specialist may check to be sure the patient is going to AA meetings, utilizing appropriate resistance skills, and implementing relapse prevention strategies. Without a strong extended care program, it is easy for the patient to fall back into the cycle of abuse.

There is no cure for alcoholism or drug addiction, but there are ways to force the disease into remission. Treatment at a drug or alcohol rehabilitation facility does not guarantee sobriety, but, for most, it is a vital first step in the direction of a healthier and fulfilling way of life