Drug Addiction Treatment Blog

A drug rehab program can co-exist with centers that also offer a alcohol treatment program. This is because many who check in with drug addiction problems also have an alcohol addiction and require treatment for both. Though there are many similarities between drug and alcohol rehab programs, there are also some distinct differences. Alcohol detox methods are the same whether the beverage of choice is beer, wine or hard liquor. Drug detox methods from drug addiction varies as to the specific type of drug addiction.

For instance, some drug rehab programs do not use drugs or medications to solve the problems caused by drugs. Other drug rehab programs will use drugs and even anesthesia for rapid detox from drugs such as codeine, heroin, morphine and opium addictions. The programs using anesthesia do so under supervision of a board-certified anesthesiologist in a medical facility and essential lets the chemically dependent person sleep through the painful withdrawal symptoms of these specific drugs. This is not seen as the best drug detox method. A drug rehab program with the best drug detox or alcohol detox method will use a medical detox where withdrawal symptoms are managed thru the use of detox medications managed by a physician.

Medical Drug Rehab Program

Medical drug rehab programs are conducted at a medical facility set up specifically for those with substance abuse problems such as licensed hospitals. Physicians and nurses are available for constant monitoring to ensure a safe drug detox or alcohol detox.

Spiritual Drug Rehab Programs

Spiritual drug rehab programs include the 12-step programs that give their will to a ‘higher power’ or Christian programs that use both the 12-step methods and the Bible( plus the support of like-minded individuals) to accomplish their rehab goals. Many other specific spiritually-based drug rehab programs also exist within the traditional religious framework or alternative frameworks such as metaphysics.

Holistic Drug Rehab Programs

Holistic drug rehab programs usually focus on a mind, body and spirit approach to chemical dependency. These programs may rely on traditional drug dependency healing methods along with non-traditional methodology in order to achieve the desired results. Some alternative holistic methods which may be used in recovery include use of nutritional eating and dietary and nutritional supplements, meditation, yoga, visualization, biofeedback, exercise and relaxation tapes to name a few.

If you require help locating the best drug rehab program for yourself, you might want to call the national drug rehab helpline. The drug rehab helpline is toll free and all their helpline services are available at no cost. The drug rehqab helpline is 1-800-99-DETOX.

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The type of drug addiction treatment depends upon the severity and nature of the drug addiction, motivation, and the availability of drug treatment services. Some users may come into drug addiction treatment voluntarily and have the support of family, friends, and workplace; others may be sent to drug treatment by the courts against their will and have virtually no support system. Most people in drug treatment have a history of criminal behavior; approximately one third are sent by the criminal justice system.

Drug Treatments

Both pharmacological and behavioral drug addiction treatments are used, often augmented by educational and vocational services. Drug treatment may include drug detoxification, therapy, and support groups, such as the 12-step groups Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Cocaine Anonymous. Nonresidential programs serve the largest number of patients. Residential facilities include hospitals, group homes, halfway houses, and therapeutic communities; most of the daily activities are treatment-related. Programs such as Al-Anon, CoAnon, and Alateen, 12-step programs for family and friends of substance abusers help them to break out of codependent cycles.

Some drug addiction treatment programs use medicines that neutralize the effects of the drug. Antabuse is a medicine used in the treatment of alcoholism. It causes severe and sudden reaction (nausea, vomiting, headache) when alcohol is present. Naltrexone, to treat alcohol and heroin addiction and acamprosate, used to treat alcoholism, both reduce cravings. Other drug treatment programs use stabilizing medications, e.g., methadone or buprenorphine maintenance programs for heroin addiction. Acupuncture has been successful in treating the cravings that accompany cocaine withdrawal and is being used with pregnant substance abusers to improve the health of their babies.

Not Everyone Receives Drug Addiction Treatment

For every person in drug addiction treatment there is an estimated three or four people who need it. Many, who attempt to get drug treatment, especially from public facilities, are discouraged by waits of over a month to get in. Evaluating the effectiveness of drug addiction treatment is difficult because of the chronic nature of drug abuse and alcoholism and the fact that the disease is usually complicated by personal, social, and health factors.

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In the 80’s, advertisements were well structured using celebrities or professionals acknowledging a substance-abuse problem and assuring the viewer that their favorite drug rehabilitation program will guarantee a cure for alcoholism and/or drug dependency. One can become thoroughly confused by asking a half-dozen recovering alcoholics or drug addicts how they stopped their use of alcohol or drugs; the answers vary although each of them is convincing and emotional. They will cite such diverse approaches as hospitalization, diet, exercise, counseling, sauna’s, religion, hypnosis, amino acids and self-help groups. When it comes to successful substance abuse treatment, only one thing is certain: practically any approach will work for some of the people some of the time. To put it another way, a successful drug rehabilitation program is like a good suit of clothes- it’s got to be tailor-made for each individual.

Most drug rehabilitation professionals don’t recommend one “best” drug rehabilitation approach; they know there are too many variations among abusers. In general, the levels of rehabilitation range from simple and behavioral to complex and medical. The person dependent upon drugs or alcohol may have used the chosen substance for so long that he or she has literally forgotten how to cope with life stresses; how to have a meaningful, drug-free life-style; or how to solve the social or psychological problems that prompted the substance abuse problem in the first place, in these instances a very comprehensive approach must be prescribed if one is to expect any degree of successful recovery.

A great deal of variation exists in the degree of dependence among drug users. The teenager who smokes marijuana three times a week is not as dependent as the thirty year old who has smoked six joints a day for 15 years and has already relapsed after being in two drug rehabilitation centers. It’s obvious that these persons need different approaches to substance abuse treatment. Similarly, among cocaine users are some who use it in binge fashion one or two days a month and others who use it several times each day. Again, different drug rehabilitation approaches are required. Regardless of substance abuse treatment, some drug and alcohol dependent persons repeatedly relapse after substance abuse treatment.

Relapse rates vary among drugs of abuse. While the relapse rate for heroin addiction approaches 90 to 95 percent during the first ninety days following rehab, the rate for alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and cocaine is less, although precise figures are not available (4). Relapse should not necessarily be viewed as a failure of either the rehabilitation program or the individual. In general, the more varied treatment approaches an individual attempts, the closer he or she becomes to finding the one that will work for them. Once abstinence is achieved, the “clean” or sober individual can take several steps to enhance recovery and better avoid relapse. Among the general recommendations are belonging to a group as a support system, having a religious involvement, practicing good health habits; including proper diet, sleep, and exercise, as well as goal planning and self enhancement projects.

Deciding on a drug rehabilitation program approach is often a very confusing, difficult and an important endeavor. I encourage you to call the national drug rehabilitation helpline for help in making your decision where to go for substance abuse treatment. The toll free number for the drug rehabilitation helpline is 1-800-511-9225. There is no charge for the helpline services.

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Alcohol Rehab

In alcohol treatment program or alcohol rehab program help people recover from problems like alcohol addiction or alcohol dependence. There are a number of alcohol addiction treatment options and the type of alcohol addiction treatment a patient receives varies according to the severity of his or her alcohol addiction. Alcohol addiction treatment is classified into inpatient alcohol rehab and outpatient alcohol treatment.

Inpatient Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Inpatient alcohol addiction treatment is available in centers dedicated for alcohol rehab addiction and drug addiction treatment. Inpatient alcohol addiction treatment options are of various stages. Alcohol detox is a process in which the individual is made to undergo alcohol detoxification to eliminate alcoholic residues from the body. The patient experiences withdrawal symptoms that are well monitored and treated by the medical professionals. Alcohol detox should always be provided in a medical detox program to manage any medical problems that result from withdrawal during detox.

Once alcohol detox is complete, the next stage of alcohol treatment is where medical experts focus on the nutritional and biological aspects of the treatment. Alcoholism almost always leaves the user severely undernourished and deficient in nutrients. In this stage of alcohol rehab, the patient is administered vital nutrients and provided a balanced diet to replenish his/her physical health.

The next step is psychological treatment where the individual’s emotional health is strengthened by various therapies and techniques. This generally includes counseling, group and individual therapies, motivational therapies, introduction to social support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), etc. Inpatient alcohol addiction treatment is followed up with extensive outpatient support that helps the individual to lead an alcohol-free living even after he/she is discharged from the treatment center.

Outpatient Alcohol Addiction Treatment

The outpatient option of alcohol addiction treatment is for individuals with mild to moderate alcoholism. Outpatient treatments include psychotherapy, counseling, medications, the 12-step programs founded by the AA, cognitive-behavioral therapies, interactive group therapies, etc. A person can enter alcohol detox and still attend outpatient alcohol treatment but most people that require alcohol detox are usually candidates for inpatient alcohol rehab.

Whatever type of alcohol treatment one opts for, the most important part is post treatment. The individual should be provided with post treatment care which includes continuous support and counseling from family, friends and social support groups. This will help the person avoid a relapse and to remain on the path of alcohol abstinence.

To locate a safe and effective alcohol detox, alcohol rehab or alcohol addiction treatment center, you can call the national alcohol helpline at 1-800-99-DETOX. The alcohol helpline is toll free and there is no charge for evaluations or referral. Call the alcohol helpline today.

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