Substance Addiction Treatment Centers

What is A Rehab Facility?

A drug rehabilitation center is a facility where a person receives help to overcome their addictions. Some rehab centers also offer help with physical/mental illnesses, traumas, and injuries. However, the term rehab is mostly used concerning addiction treatment programs and care.

Before Googling ‘drug rehab near me’, below are a few things you need to familiarize yourself with.

What Is a Drug Rehab Treatment Facility?

A drug rehab facility aims to bring positive changes in the lives of people suffering from addiction. It aims to rectify their maladaptive behavior. While at the facility, patients learn healthy coping mechanisms, ways to control impulses, drug-refusal strategies, skills for emotional regulation, etc.

They help people recover from SUD (substance use disorder). Rehab facilities can be of several types. Some specialize in treating only a certain kind of addiction while others are broader in that they would treat all kinds of addiction.

Some of them are even age or gender-specific. Rehab facilities are divided into inpatient and outpatient services.

Many people have this misconception about rehab centers that patients have to stay there. That’s not true. Patients who enroll in these facilities can leave as they desire. In fact, one caveat of a rehab program to be effective is if the patient has a deep desire to stay there and change his addiction behavior/habits from the deepest core.

With that said, there are instances where the court would mandate some individuals to stay at one such facility. In case of a court order, they may be forced to stay there.

If you have an elderly in the house who wants to receive the care you can Google ‘assisted living facility near me’.

What are the Goals of Addiction Treatment?

Understanding Addiction

Generally, when a patient enters a treatment program, they would deny that they have a problem serious enough to threaten their life. Many have an unclear idea of what triggered/caused the addiction in the first place.

The goal of addiction treatment is to, therefore, help patients come to terms with their addiction. The specialists would make them aware of their substance abuse and what all dangers lie underneath.

A therapist would educate the patient about the nature of their illness. They would also educate them about why professional help is crucial for managing the issue. Some centers would also involve families in the process so that the support becomes extended. It also helps in long-term recovery, avoids relapses, and creates a more healthy, conducive environment for sobriety.

Addressing Different Aspects of Addiction

The thing about addiction is that it has several facets. It involves multiple factors because dependence or addiction has more than just a physical viewpoint. The mind is also involved. It brings in major behavioral and psychological implications.

It’s important to work on these aspects to achieve successful long-term recovery. That’s another goal of a typical addiction treatment or rehab facility. For example, often the first step in an addiction recovery program is medical detox which rids the body of the addictive substance.

However, therapists understand that there are not only physical but many behavioral and psychological triggers also involved in the process.

Prevent Future Relapses

A large percentage of people who go through therapy experience relapses after they resume their normal life. Both alcohol and opioids carry a high degree of relapse rates.

Therefore, an important therapy goal is to aware the patients of the mechanics of relapses. They learn how to recognize and manage triggers to avoid falling back into old patterns.

You can think of relapse as an aftercare therapy that is particularly needed during the first year post-recovery which is the most vulnerable year.

What is the Treatment Process?

The first step of the treatment process is undergoing an initial substance abuse evaluation from the counselor. It can also be performed by a mental health expert. The assessment takes into account medical records, blood testing, urine screening, history of substance abuse, etc.

It further includes –

•     Mental status
•     Alcohol and drug abuse patterns
•     Medical history
•     Existing health conditions
•     Past rehab experiences
•     Suicidal impulse
•     History of self-harm or violence
•     Physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities
•     Ongoing legal issues
•     Financial situation

This information is used to create a custom treatment plan that best suits the individual. Following are the possible components of a treatment plan –

•     CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy
•     Group counseling
•     Support groups such as Narcotic Analysis and Alcoholics Anonymous
•     Sessions with family
•     Additional activities like exercise, nutritional counseling, yoga, acupuncture, spa therapy, mindfulness, meditation, etc.
•     Medication (if necessary)
•     Aftercare planning
•     Relapse prevention

At times, therapy may involve medication such as suboxone and methadone. It may be used in conjunction with behavior therapy to promote abstinence.

As you reach the end of the treatment, your specialists would create relapse prevention and aftercare plans.

The aftercare may include group counseling, individual therapy sessions, sober living homes, alumni programs, and 12-step programs.

What to Look for in an Addiction Treatment Center?

While looking for the right addiction treatment program, it is important to do some research. Remember that every rehab is different. So, you have to be careful about what you want.

Different individuals may benefit from different kinds of programs. So, think about your individual preferences. However, below are some standard things to consider as well –

•     Certifications and accreditations for the program
•     Individual treatment plans
•     Certification, training, and education of the staff members
•     Use of evidence-based intervention
•     Relapse/aftercare planning
•     Regular evaluation of the treatment plans
•     Expertise in treating different kinds of addictions; especially the one you’re struggling with
•     Compassionate, empathetic staff
•     A sense of cultural sensitivity among staff members
•     The ability to treat co-occurring disorders and other health conditions

It is important to be clear about your own philosophy before enrolling in a particular facility. Make sure that the philosophy of the center matches with yours.

For example, if you’re a devout Christian, a faith-based center may better serve your needs. Other people may be inclined towards complementary and alternative practices such as meditation, yoga, and acupuncture. Accordingly, they should look for a center that includes complementary therapies.

About The Author

Holly is a pet lover who owns a dog and loves to write about everything related to pets. She is a frequent writer and contributor to top online pet publications and blogs, including Pet Friendly Senior Living.