Rehab Centers & Drug Addiction Treatment Abuse Recovery Programs

Rehab

Addiction, be it of any kind, is sure to affect both the physical and mental health of an individual adversely. The two main categories of addiction that have distressed the lives of millions of people around the world are of alcohol and drugs. In order to combat this social havoc, a number of rehabilitation centers have surfaced in the past few decades offering multiple recovery programs.

As per the common understanding of a layman, the same kind of treatment is provided to cure alcohol and drug addiction in all the rehab centers. But this is not true. As no two individuals suffer from the same effects of addiction, the alcohol and drug rehab programs employ a treatment approach that is specific and individualized. For instance, one patient might need to undergo detoxification along with a residential treatment. While another patient might get cured with regular outpatient treatment programs.

Common symptoms of alcohol and drug dependency

  • Inability to handle craving
  • Health deterioration
  • Behavioral changes
  • Hiding the dependency from known ones

These are some of the common symptoms seen in both the alcohol and drug addicts. With these symptoms occurring frequently, the rehab programs are designed in a way that they cater both the physical and psychological needs of the patients. The prime inclusions of such alcohol and drug rehab programs are individual as well as family counseling, support groups, relapse prevention training and psycho-education.

Withdrawal symptoms

The withdrawal symptoms of both kinds of addictions might be acute. A patient might face any of the following withdrawal symptoms of alcohol.

  • Nervousness
  • Anxiety
  • Agitation
  • Headaches
  • Irrational thoughts
  • Irritability
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • Nausea
  • Shaking
  • Seizures

Depending on the kind of drug, some of the withdrawal symptoms of drugs are

  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Tremor
  • Restlessness
  • Muscle aches

In both kinds of addictions, the addict faces strong cravings for the substance he was dependent upon.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab Programs

The alcohol and drug rehab programs offer both the inpatient and outpatient services. The inpatient care requires the patient’s admission to the rehab center. He is put under supervision 24×7 and is provided treatment based on his minute-to-minute monitoring. On the other hand, the outpatient services do not demand a prolonged stay at the center. This kind of service is based on the routine check-ups or visits of the patient to the center.

The effectiveness of both the programs varies. Some people prefer inpatient care as the patients are put under surveillance 24×7 and can be treated instantly as per their changing conditions. While some people get satisfied with the results delivered in outpatient services.

Residential Rehab treatment

If the patient’s addiction reaches a severe state and if his home environment isn’t supportive enough, then choosing the residential treatment under the alcohol and drug rehab programs would be a fruitful decision. A residential rehab program ensures that the patient gets the complete medical care and support around the clock. Such programs not only help the patient to attain a state of sobriety but also prepare him to face those challenges of the world an addict usually has to go through.

Privacy and confidentiality

As per the law, the alcohol and drug rehab programs under any rehabilitation center have to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the patient. Any information in relation to the patient’s treatment is not allowed to be shared with anyone other than the doctors, medical staff, the patient himself or the people patient allows to be informed.

(The patient might have to share the facility and attend sessions with the other patients).

30-day rehab treatment program

This is the most common type of treatment program offered under the alcohol and drug rehab programs. As per the experts, the minimum time period required to show the recovery signs are 30-days. Though, as per a report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), participation in an addiction rehab program for less than 90-days might not be much effective.

On the other hand, 30-days treatment program has delivered successful recovery results in a number of cases.

Inpatient rehab treatment duration

Depending on the severity of the addict’s health condition, an inpatient treatment might vary from 30-days to 60-days and even extend to 90-days programs. Some programs also extend to 120-days.

A medical examination of the patient helps in determining the program model as well as the length of the program. It is advisable to take the advice of a medical professional and follow his recovery recommendations.

Process of rehab treatment

The alcohol and drug rehab programs start with a thorough medical examination of the patient, evaluating both the physical as well as mental health symptoms. The patient is asked about the additional health concerns if any.

He is then introduced to the proposed treatment plan which focuses on the aftercare as well, besides the regular schedule during the treatment. In the case of an acute alcohol or drug withdrawal period, the patient might have to go through the detoxification process.

Besides this, most of the time of the patient in the rehab center is scheduled attending the therapy sessions (including counseling) and meetings focusing on the key aspects of the support groups.

Paying in a rehab center

The alcohol and drug rehab programs might prove to be a little heavy on the pocket. Therefore, a number of rehab centers accept payments in installments to ease the financial worry of the patients. In case, a patient has a medical insurance, he can get most of his rehab fees covered under it.

(The treatment charges in a government rehab center are much lower in comparison to the private rehab centers).

What Happens After Rehab

After the patient successfully completes the alcohol and drug rehab programs, his real test begins. He has to face the world and put his rehab learning into action. He has to use the coping mechanism in order to combat the common challenges addicts have to face after recovery (this includes relapse prevention as well).

Many former rehab patients find it easier to live in a group home, halfway house or sober living house as part of addiction rehab aftercare. These houses give the recovered patient a chance to live with the people who have undergone similar situations. The people support one another in staying sober. These houses can be called as the extended part of the alcohol and drug rehab programs.

The people living in such houses save money on housing, food etc. as they live in a shared environment. This helps to relieve the financial stress of the people.

The patients, while in treatment, work collaboratively with their therapists to develop an aftercare plan in order to ensure a continued sobriety. This aftercare plan generally includes the length of the treatment, living in a recovery supporting environment, ongoing therapy sessions and regularly participating in self-help meetings.

Preparing for rehab treatment

The idea of going through the challenging stages of treatment under the alcohol and drug rehab programs such as detoxification or experiencing withdrawal symptoms is anxiety provoking. In such a situation the support of the family members and friends plays a great role in preparing the patient for the treatment. If this does not work, taking the patient to a medical professional or counselor would yield successful results.

The patient has to be motivated by highlighting the benefits of recovery.