Rehab Centers For Substance Abuse

Find help for you substance abuse problem!

Once you or your loved one are at the point where you are ready to address a problem of substance abuse and addiction, a decision on a course of treatment is needed. This will usually involve the use of a drug rehabilitation center. Selecting the right facility will be dependent upon several factors including the type of addiction you have as well as how severe it is.

Whatever the situation may be, the first step in rehabilitation will be the process of detoxification. This must take place in order to break the physical addiction your body has to one or more chemicals. It will also be a big step toward recovering your physical and mental health. In the majority of cases, detoxification takes place in a residential or inpatient setting. It is also done under the supervision of a qualified medical staff.

In general, the process of detoxification is simple. The patient is deprived of the drugs that he or she is addicted to. In a hospital type setting, addictive substances are near impossible to get. The patient must go through the difficult time of withdrawal. The length of time it takes to break the physical addiction is dependent upon the particular substance and the intensity of the addiction. The period of time that a patient’s body experiences withdrawal symptoms can be from 48 hours to a couple of weeks.

Medical Care During Detoxification

Many people entering a detoxification program feel anxiety and see themselves experiencing pain and agony. The truth is, although there is discomfort during withdrawal from drugs and alcohol, it is seldom as bad as people picture it. However, medical supervision is a necessity due to the reaction the human body will have. Different substances have a tendency to produce certain reactions, while the strength of these reactions will vary from one individual to the next.

Withdrawal from barbiturates, for example, is known to produce heart failure in some patients. Other reactions can include seizures, blood pressure that becomes dangerously high, and high fevers. The list of reactions is a long one, and this is the reason for a medical staff. They have the training to know what to look for and in some cases will have a patient connected to electronic monitoring devices. By monitoring the patient during detoxification, steps can be taken to control developing symptoms of withdrawal before they become dangerous. Any medical emergency that occurs, such as heart attack or seizures, can be addressed immediately.

After Detox Treatment is Completed

It is important to understand that a detoxification program is only the first step in what is a long road to sobriety. When this initial phase of treatment is over, your body will no longer be dependent on drugs or alcohol. However, the psychological aspect of addiction will still be there and a rehabilitation program will be needed to stay sober. It is important to understand the difference between detoxification and rehab. Both aspects of drug treatment are important, but without a post detox treatment program, the chances of using drugs and alcohol in the future will be higher.

Types of Rehab Centers and Treatment

Some rehabilitation facilities will offer both a detox program as well as a post detox rehabilitation treatment program. A patient should know what the next step is after detoxification is complete. If a facility only has a detox treatment program, another facility will be needed after detox is completed.

Which facility is chosen will depend upon the severity of the addiction as well as the length of time the addiction has lasted. Some rehab centers will specialize in the more severe cases that require medical treatment. Others will have a facility geared toward non-medical therapies. There are also treatment centers that will have a focus on a particular type of drug such as heroin or alcohol.

Inpatient Rehab Centers

Inpatient rehabilitation facilities are ones that a patient stays at in a residential type setting. This is often required for many reasons. An important element in rehabilitation is to help a patient discover the cause of the substance abuse problem. In some cases it can be traced to an untreated problem such as anxiety or depression. These types of problems can often be treated with medication. An inpatient rehabilitation center will often have a detox program that can be utilized first. This is due to the presence of a medical staff with both detoxification and inpatient rehabilitation treatments.

Outpatient Rehab Centers

An outpatient rehab center is one that is commonly found throughout the country. The patient lives and works away from the rehab center and only visits for treatment. Once a patient has gone through a detox program, they can then attend therapy sessions to help explore the reasons for their addiction and learn methods and techniques to enhance their chances of remaining drug and alcohol free. These meetings are commonly attended by other substance abusers who offer each other support in their continuing struggle to maintain sobriety.