Different Types of Substance Abuse Treatment Approaches

Drug addicts with chronic conditions are recommended to seek treatment in a drug inpatient rehab center. The long-term use of drugs may have already damaged their brain that resulted to losing control over their actions and behavior. Thus, drug addicts lose their judgment capabilities, particularly when it comes to thinking of what is right and wrong. This is also why risk exposures to criminal attempts are high among drug addicts. Inpatient drug treatment programs are typically designed for patients suffering with severe effects of drug abuse. It is where they are taken in a residence program to receive therapy. This kind of therapy may last up to 12 months depending on the severity of the condition. During this program, patients are expected to actively participate in the therapeutic activities conducted by the communities they stay in.
Medications are also an important part of the treatment program. Such approach is used to treat withdrawal symptoms and re-establish the brain function of the patients back to normal. Most residential drug treatment programs use medications for preventing relapse and cravings for nicotine, opioids, alcohol and marijuana addiction. The challenge here for practitioners is that patients with chronic addiction issues are poly drug users. Thus, they will need treatment for all of the dangerous substances that they have abused before. It is this reason that rehab centers should be able to provide a custom-made treatment plan for a variety of patients that they have. For users of opioids (morphine and heroine), medicines like naltrexone, buprenorphine and methadone are proven effective drugs to use for treatment. These medications have a specific task of targeting the brain to effectively suppress relapse tendencies and withdrawal symptoms. Medications primarily help the patients develop distaste from using illegal drugs and disengage them from criminal-related behavior.
When treating nicotine addiction, a nicotine replacement therapy is used. Most of these formulations are available at leading drug stores. A few examples of such formulations include nicotine patches, lozenges, gums and spray. Medicines like varenicline and bupropion have been approved by the FDA as treatment for tobacco addiction. It targets the brain to perform action that can help tobacco users avoid having episodes of relapse. This is especially helpful for individuals who have the desire to quit smoking but do not want to enter rehab.
Substance abuse treatment also includes behavioral therapy. This kind of treatment program disengages patients from displaying an ill behavior. Basically, there is behavioral therapy available for both outpatient and inpatient drug or alcohol users. Outpatient therapy covers a variety of programs for patients that involve either group or individual counseling. This program encompasses cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational incentives and interviewing, and multi-dimensional therapy. As with residential treatment, it is best for treating patients who were previously diagnosed with severe drug abuse condition. Most inpatient rehab centers have well-structured programs, in which patients need to sit in for residency. Therapeutic communities usually differ from other types of treatment because it primarily uses the community as the main support system. This support system is expected to influence the patients to have a positive world view.

The Right Key Principles to achieve Successful Substance Abuse Treatment Results

The US national survey on drug use and health had recently shown that there were 23.2 million people, from age 12 and older, who needed substance abuse treatment in 2007. This figure represents 9.4 percent of the total US population. Unfortunately, only 2.4 million substance abusers in the same year have decided to seek treatment in facilities like a mental health institution, drug or alcohol rehab or in a hospital. This goes to show that there were 20.8 million individuals who did not receive proper treatment and most probably still suffer from the same addiction problem until today. What those people do not realize is that there are lots of risks and consequences that accompany this kind of mind set. For one, substance abuse can make all that you have built for your career and family go down the drain as you can lose your job and inability to control your behavior.
With that, drug or alcohol addicts definitely need to find the most appropriate treatment for them. Keep in mind that a treatment for substance abuse may vary depending on the case, situation and financial capacities of the patient. The good news is that most treatment programs can effectively help patients avoid relapse and recover from such a detrimental phase in their lives. This was proved to be true by several scientific studies in the US since the 1970’s. According to research, the key principles that an alcohol or drug rehab center should practice are proper medication and behavioral therapy. These two principles are essentially effective when combined together as they have elements that can make a therapeutic process successful.
Therapeutic process usually begins with detoxification, but it does little change in the overall improvement of a patient assessed with long-term drug abuse. So, what needs to be done next is the implementation of the treatment plan and relapse prevention. Treatment starts with easing the patient’s withdrawal symptoms, while avoiding relapse is required to maintain the effects of treatment. As with patients who have chronic cases, medical practitioners expect them to experience a few episodes of relapse that may compel them to return to the prior treatments implemented. This goes to show that there should be a continuous care performed by the mental health professionals and this include a customized treatment plan as they get to study the patient’s condition deeper.
A customized treatment regimen will address all life aspects of the patients, particularly their overall state of health. It is also during this time when practitioners can initially recommend follow-up options and services to the support systems of the patients like their family and friends. This process is crucial in ensuring that successful treatment results are achieved in the end. Residential drug rehab centers are the only way to achieve a drug-free lifestyle. In fact, the federal government recognizes residential treatment as very effective for both patients with mild to severe conditions. Patients are being taken care in therapeutic communities where they will remain as residents for 6 to 12 months.

Set your Expectations in a Substance Abuse Treatment Program before Admission

Drug addiction can make living in sobriety very hard for addicts. It will come to a situation when drug addicts start to lose control over their mind and body that they allow their intense desire for drugs to sink in. This is why in most cases they feel hopeless about achieving sobriety as though it is out of their reach. Good thing with advancements in the drug rehab practices and approaches, the treatments have improved that can make recovery for patients highly attainable. It has always been the goal of rehab centers to re-introduce to patients optimism, spiritual wealth and support that can turn the tables around. Having the right treatment will address the root cause of any kinds of addiction. Therefore, it is now a matter of choice for patients whether they are willing to accept this kind of professional help and collective support from their care givers, family and friends.
It is a known fact that people are afraid of getting into something that they do not know about. So, learning a few basic things about what to expect in undergoing a drug treatment program can be a good step to prepare prior to admission. Substance abuse treatment has many types because of the fact that each patient needs specific kind of treatment and approach. Generally, patients diagnosed with chronic condition have much longer and intense treatment. More importantly, a successful treatment program is loaded with emotional support and compassion from people that surround the patients. Such a natural therapeutic approach plays a crucial role in influencing the patients with positive thoughts. This is why many experts recommend for families to look for a drug inpatient rehab center where their specific needs and requirements are met. This should start with the kind of facility and amenities they offer that can improve the social skills of the patients like a recreational and sports center.
Although that kind of drug rehab center may be expensive, the many advantages that families can take advantage of make the price justifiable. The most important factors to consider are the center’s license to operate, follow-up services, credentials of the staff and the quality of care they are providing during a program. Because families only want the best for their family member, it would be best to spend a few days or weeks researching for rehab centers in the area that are known for offering the highest quality of nursing care.
The first thing to look in a rehab center is its program accreditation. Choose among treatment providers that are accredited by the state to ensure quality service. It is also worthy of time to check if the center is run by licensed and experienced mental health practitioners. A successful drug rehab institution will provide their clients with important data about their success rates that are closely studied by a third party credentialing agency. Lastly, programs with high success rates are likely to help their patients prevent relapse. Such an instance should be out of the question since that is the very goal of rehab centers – to have patients become used to practicing abstinence to drug or other dangerous substances.

Worst Case Scenarios that Alcoholics may Experience if Symptoms are Left Untreated

For some reason, some people who are believed to be alcohol addicts are having a hard time to accept the reality that they badly need to undergo alcohol residential treatment. What they do not realize is that they are affecting the lives of their loved ones in a negative way. The consequences could be worse than they originally thought because it is becoming a mental health issue that is beyond their control anymore. If you think you possess the most obvious signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction, admitting yourself into a rehab center is the best thing to do. Think of your loved ones who will be the primary recipient of the consequences, not far behind is the collapse of your career and finances. This is especially true for people who are the breadwinner of their family.
The family members likely depend on the breadwinner and loss of income could easily destroy the future you have planned for them. You must not lose hope because this kind of addiction is treatable over time. Going to a rehab center is one way to show that your family is still your priority over your excessive indulgence. Another reason to undergo alcohol treatment is to save yourself from potential bankruptcy. It is a known fact that alcoholics have a hard time in working without getting their minds lost to their need to drink. There is absenteeism both in mind and attendance to work because you would rather binge drink than earn money for meeting your financial obligations. Therefore, there is a great likelihood of house foreclosure as you were not able to pay your mortgages on time and huge credit card debts. Unfortunately, you lost your job and your friends won’t lend you money anymore because of your bad credit reputation. A rehab center could change all this by transforming you to become a good person again.
Keep in mind that in losing your job, you could be sued by the creditors you owe some money. An insufficient source of income might lead you to feel desperate for money, thinking about committing a robbery or other crimes that can solve your financial problems. These worse cases have no other place to offer but jail. Unlike when you consider getting yourself in a halfway house, where you can discipline your self by practicing abstinence to alcohol and other dangerous substances.
It is a good thing that there are thousands of alcohol and drug rehab centers in the country that can offer you appropriate treatment that you seek.  Such institutions have medical experts and social workers who will take care of you throughout the period you have to be there. So, there is really nothing to be afraid of unlike if you choose to remain alcoholic and untreated, in which chances of suffering from worst consequences are high. Do not think of rehab centers as an institution for mentally ill individuals, but as a community of compassionate people where you can find support, peace and love that you were not able to feel before.

Learn the Basic Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism for Early Prevention

In most cases, people fail to recognize the alcohol symptoms that they could have been having for a while now. It might be due to the fact that it is becoming a mental health disorder more than just a mis-behavior. So, getting to know the basic symptoms can make a difference and as a means for early prevention. Alcohol addiction is generally influenced by social and environmental factors. It could also be due to influences that you get genetically or psychologically. It apparently impacts the way you behave and the way you have control over your body. The process leading to alcoholism happens slowly, as per majority of the people who have suffered from the said disorder.
Once the person becomes too invested in alcohol drinking, it may have a negative affect on the chemical balance of the body and the nerve tracks in the brain. These nerve tracks essentially control your behavior in terms of feeling pleasure and judgment. As a result, people normally crave for alcohol drinks to help them drown the negative feelings they feel and let pleasure prevail. One of the prominent symptoms of alcoholism is when you have inability to control or limit the amount of your alcoholic drink. You always feel the strong need to drink, even if there is no special occasion for it. Thus, you will develop tolerance to it that can make you feel numb to its adverse side effects. Ironically, you will feel some withdrawal symptoms like shaking and nausea when you don’t get the chance to drink alcohol. This is why frequent drinkers binge to satisfy their cravings, but become angry when this indulgence is interrupted. Alcoholism also influences you to keep alcoholic drinks at work, in the car and at home because you simply enjoy having gulp drinks to feel good about yourself.
One of the worst consequences of alcoholism is when you start having troubles with your job, finances and family. It is a turning point where everything you have built could go down due to too much drinking. You start to lose interest in hobbies and interests that once made you feel good and happy. Alcoholism starts to have control over your body and behavior. Therefore, you most definitely need an alcohol treatment from trustworthy rehab professionals, whether it is a state-supported or private rehab center.
A successful rehab center will assess your condition carefully to help the staff prepare a customized treatment plan for your recovery. They will likely educate you about how to discipline yourself with drinking like doctors recommend 12 ounces of beer only, with about 5 percent alcohol in it. The best thing about an alcohol rehab center is that the people are compassionate and have high hopes in patients that they will make it through. You will find the kind of support you seek in halfway houses because every patient is seen as the top priority. It is where spiritual health matters the most and is viewed as the best path to a brighter life ahead of you.