Above the Influence
When a person is addicted to drugs, their main focus each day is how to obtain more. They must maintain the influence of these drugs to maintain a feeling of normalcy or homeostasis. The first way treatment helps is to get the addict off of the drugs and out from under the influence. The cravings to use drugs are still there, but therapies and counseling help to counteract that. Detoxification is used to address any negative withdrawal problems that can occur.
Once the addict is free from the influence of their drug of choice they can experience a number of things. First can be an influx of different emotions that have been nullified by the substance abuse. A second thing is the ability to think more clearly and openly. Professional counseling can be essential in all of this as the individual must basically learn how to cope, recover and live without the need for their drug of choice.
Education – Understanding Addiction
Another way that drug rehab helps those struggling with addiction is through education. Besides the feelings and the cravings for drugs, the addict probably has no idea what this behavior is doing to them. The habitual abuse of drugs can create significant changes to brain and body. Part of the addiction treatment process is to better educate the individual on these behaviors, the changes to the brain and how to counteract such problems in their lives. The addict can be much more aware and have a far better understanding of the addiction recovery process through this education. This is carried out in many different ways depending on the facility.
Caring Counseling / Therapy
Perhaps one of the most significant areas where drug rehab can help your loved one is through counseling and therapy. There can be many reasons for drug abuse and addiction and a lot of these things do not come to light without caring help. Counseling and therapy comes in many different forms and types, and effective treatment should involve a number of different approaches to therapy.
Much advancement has been developed in the fields of behavioral health and drug treatment therapies. Those struggling with a substance use disorder can also be diagnosed with a form of co-occurring mental health concern. Professional and medical treatment is a means to diagnosing such concerns. It is also imperative for dealing with the underlying personal issues in the individual. It can help to clarify what is an addiction concern, or what is a mental health issue and provide answers for both situations.
Long-Term Foundation
The impulses of drug addiction take time to overcome. It’s a process which can be difficult without foundation and direction. The residential treatment stay is only a short amount of time in the recovery process, so one of most essential parts of this time is to get the individual founded on ways to stay clean and sober. This can be done through developing daily habits and practices, establishing boundaries and through continuing services of care and therapy.
Many drug rehab programs work on a recovery oriented system. They are founded upon the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Similar fellowships have been developed for dealing specifically with drug addiction, like Narcotics Anonymous. Part of the rehab process is to create a foundation for this recovery effort. When treatment is completed, involvement and fellowship in a support community can be a means to long-term sustainable sobriety.
Safe Haven
Drug treatment facilities have changed a great deal in recent years. In the decades past, treatment for addiction was carried out in hospitals and different types of mental health facilities. Nowadays, addiction treatment centers have more of a homelike environment. They can be a safe haven from the struggles of addiction, emotional and personal problems. It can be a healing environment for dealing with the difficult struggles.
In reality, the nature of addiction is one that is chronic where relapse can very much happen. In this case the treatment facility is a place to return to and get back on track. Sometimes it does take more than one stay in a drug treatment center to overcome the addiction. In this manner it is a refuge and place to find caring support. You are not alone in this fight!
FURTHER READING
