Addiction to drugs and/or alcohol is one of the hardest issues millions of Americans will face in their lifetime. Luckily, there are many treatment options available that will help get you or your family member in a position to transition from a life of addiction to sobriety.
Help is out there Reach out to a treatment provider and learn how you can create the life you want. Find out more
Is Treatment Necessary?
One of the biggest obstacles that many who are struggling with substance use disorders face is coming to terms with the fact that they have a problem. It’s unsurprising that many people have trouble admitting they have an addiction.
There is a major stigma associated with drug and alcohol addiction, and many are simply unaware of how deeply their addiction is impacting their lives and their loved ones. However, this stigma is rarely based on facts but rather on assumptions, preconceptions, and generalizations. Stigma has the potential to lead to negatively impacting a person’s self-esteem and can worsen defense mechanisms such as denial and minimization of their substance use disorder. It can also result in damaged relationships with loved ones and employers. The sigma can be so profound that it often prevents active users from accessing treatment or admitting they have a problem.
However, becoming dependent on drugs or developing a substance use disorder can happen to anyone, as there are many factors that influence the development of such disorders. It is important to keep in mind that we can all do a better job of decreasing the stigma associated with addiction. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stigma is ‘A major cause of discrimination and exclusion, and it contributes to the abuse of human rights.’”
If you are wondering whether or not you have a problem, you should immediately speak with a substance abuse professional. There is a very common misconception that you have to, “hit rock bottom,” before you should seek treatment. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is never too early to get treatment for drug or alcohol addiction if you, or your loved ones, believe you have a problem or if substance abuse is negatively impacting your life. This is true whether the addiction is to a prescription or illegal substance.
How Does Treatment Work?
Because every addiction is unique, every individual’s treatment process will be unique. However, most treatment programs follow some general steps and stages. A typical treatment process will go something like:
Identifying And Planning Out The Right Treatment Choice
Different substances and different individuals require different treatment. For example, some treatment facilities specialize in certain substances (like alcohol) or groups of people (like minors). Most treatment centers have professionals who offer an array of therapies, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Depending on the individual, a substance abuse counselor will tailor the therapy model to best meet the needs of the individual.
The first step in identifying and planning out the right treatment choice for you is to speak with a substance abuse professional for a thorough assessment or evaluation, often called a biopsychosocial assessment. This assessment is used for diagnostic purposes, as well as to determine the specific needs of the client, including the most appropriate level of care in treatment.
It can be daunting trying to decide on the right treatment option for you, but luckily, there are treatment providers out there waiting to help. If you want help finding a rehab choice, contact a treatment provider now!
Inpatient Or Outpatient Detox
Detox, also known as detoxification, is a process that helps rid the body of harmful substances. Detox is almost always the first step in the treatment process. Depending on a number of factors, detox can be extremely challenging. For many with a substance use disorder, detox is one of the single biggest deterrents to treatment, especially for those who attempted unsupervised detox on their own.
When the body is so used to having a substance in it, it becomes dependent on that substance to function normally. When that substance is no longer present, the body experiences withdrawal, a combination of physical and psychological symptoms that may occur when a person suddenly discontinues the use of an addictive drug, or rapidly reduces their use. In some cases, especially when severe alcohol or benzodiazepine addiction is present, withdrawal can be fatal if it is not medically supervised. For this reason, detox should only be attempted under professional supervision.
Factors that influence the timeline and severity of withdrawal include:
Which substance or substances were used
How long the person used
The individual’s average dose
How frequently the person used
Whether the person mixed substances
Mental and medical history
Gender
How they took the substance
Detox can either be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Inpatient detox requires a patient to stay at a facility, usually in a private room under watch. This is often necessary for severe cases. Outpatient detox allows patients to check in with their medical professional but stay at home and continue their lives comparatively uninterrupted.
Inpatient Or Outpatient Rehab
Once an individual’s body has been cleared of the substance(s) to which it is addicted, rehab can commence. Rehab treatment can include medications, behavioral therapies, or a combination of both to help individuals recover from their substance abuse and begin living a sober life. The exact course of treatment varies tremendously according to an individual’s unique needs. In general, treatment is focused on understanding the underlying causes behind the addiction, helping the addict recover, rebuilding relationships, and teaching life strategies that will help the patient maintain sobriety.
Like detox, rehab can either be inpatient or outpatient. Inpatient rehab demands that the individual stay at the treatment facility until their program ends. Most inpatient rehabs last for 30, 60, or 90 days, although the time can be shorter or longer. Inpatient rehab is most desirable for patients with severe addictions or for those whose lifestyle is the most likely to lead to relapse.
Outpatient rehab allows patients to stay at their homes or other outside residential facilities while visiting the rehab facility for the day, or at least part of it. Outpatient rehab is generally the best fit for individuals with less severe addictions and who have extensive work and family commitments. Outpatient rehab is generally, though not always, less expensive than inpatient treatment. However, it also presents the individual in recovery with more temptations and less stability.
