Rehab Procedures

Drug & Alcohol Addiction Rehabilitation Process

Components of Drug Addiction Treatment

Drug addiction treatment has four phases: assessment, physical withdrawal or detoxification, education and counseling, and follow-up care.

Phase 1:  Admission – When an addict first enters a treatment center, he undergoes psychological and physical examinations. After these procedures, the person is assigned to a room and an individual therapist. This phase takes about six to eight hours.

Phase 2: Physical withdrawal or Detoxification – This is the period in which all traces of drugs pass from the addict’s body. This process can last from a few hours to a few weeks. A medical doctor should supervise the detoxification process, and might prescribe medications to ease symptoms. How unpleasant this process becomes depends upon which drug was abused, the amount that was abused, and the length of time the person been using drugs. Some people experience very few symptoms and can start Phase 3 almost immediately after admission. We are posting our FB Rehab Page about these .

Phase 3: Education & Counseling – After withdrawal, most people still experience intense drug cravings, and without further professional treatment, the majority will go back to using drugs. Phase 3 of treatment involves acquiring new skills to remain drug-free, such as how to deal with people and situations that might trigger a relapse into drug abuse, how to find pleasure in activities that do not involve drugs, and how to relate to family and friends within relationships that are healthy for both sides. If an addict has underlying psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, anti-social personality, bipolar or Attention Deficit Disorder, he also addresses these via professional therapy and, if necessary, medication.

Drug treatment centers are set up with daily schedules that have regular hours for meals, exercise, and sleep -- all of which is designed to encourage clients to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

Individual and group counseling are major parts of residential treatment. Many drug addicts have been “stuffing” their emotions and relaxing only by chemical means. Once they let go of their drug, they need to learn how to handle all the emotions and tension that suddenly surface. This is the work of therapy. Usually family members are involved in this counseling process.

Residential treatment also includes daily classes and lectures to help the addict understand addiction, the family problems it creates, its physical basis, how to deal with people and situations that “trigger” reuse how to handle the inevitable relapses, and other topics. Get details connect us on Twitter Rehab USA profile .

Quitting drugs frees up a lot of time and energy that needs to be channeled in positive ways. For this reason, many treatment centers offer a variety of sports programs and special interest classes such as art, photography, and music. Some also offer vocational counseling.

Former drug addicts need to learn to relax in natural, drug-free ways. The staff at the treatment center may teach techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, sports, massage, art, journaling and other ways of releasing tension and managing stress. Most treatment centers also have a nature component: Depending upon the program’s location, this might include walking by a beach or in a forest, engaging in snow sports, playing outdoor games, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

The counseling staff determines when the person has mastered the program and is ready to go home. Most people have to remain in full-time treatment for several months. Government studies indicate that the longer people remain in treatment, the more likely it is that they will recover.

Phase 4: Follow-Up Care – A recovering drug addict continues to need help after he has completed treatment and returns to “normal life.” Usually, he continues to see a therapist near his home, and his family enters family therapy. Nearly all former addicts attend support such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Follow-up care can continue for years.

Many people who complete a treatment program describe it as “life-changing,” and one of the most powerful, positive, and productive experiences of their lives.

References

1. Grella, C, Joshi, V., and Hser, Y. “Effects of Comorbidity on Treatment Processes and Outcomes among Adolescents in Drug Treatment Programs.” Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, Vol. 13, No. 4, pg. 13-31.
2. Hubbard, R.L.; M E Marsden ; J V Rachal ; H J Harwood ; E R Cavanaugh ; H M Ginzburg. Drug Abuse Treatment: A National Study of Effectiveness Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press,1989.
3. National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide,” posted at http://www.nida.nih.gov/