Choosing a drug abuse treatment center is an important decision. Not just another hospital that treats a disease, the drug abuse treatment center is an important element in helping an addict overcome addiction and develop an ongoing strategy to prevent relapse. Forcing an addict into a treatment center is rarely successful, and purely mechanical or chemical treatments are unlikely to prevent further abuse. Instead, the ideal drug abuse treatment center will recognize that focusing on restoring patients’ sense of self-worth and respecting their pride and dignity will result in much more successful treatment. The most effective treatment centers will focus their program around the central themes of mutual respect and understanding, and allow the addict to regain their sense of self.
The hidden impact
Drug abuse comes in many forms. It can be used to describe athletes who use performance-enhancing substances, the excessive use of a prescription drug, as well as the abuse of alcohol and the use of illegal narcotics. Dependence operates on both a physical and emotional level, leaving addicts unable to relate to anything other than their intense desire to use more. Addictions often destroy families, friendships, and careers. In addition to altering your personality and affecting your lifestyle, habitual use often leads to kidney and liver failure, increased risk of infectious diseases, and a general decline in health and vitality. It is estimated that more than 28 million Americans abuse drugs.
Treatment Center Options
Each drug abuse treatment center will have its own approach to overcoming addiction. In addition, each treatment must be adapted not only to the specific form, but also to the addict himself. For example, treatment for a heroin addiction will differ from treatment for alcohol dependence, just as treatment for a carefree alcoholic will differ from treatment for a suicidal alcohol abuser.
Choosing the right drug abuse treatment center can be an overwhelming experience, especially if the addict does not have the support of friends and family. Preparing a list of questions to ask and calling several different centers will give you an overview of the type of treatment available. There must be a professional and trained staff with a good record of successful recoveries. The facility itself should be clean and safe, preferably with an atmosphere that helps facilitate the addict’s recovery.
detox
Detoxification will be the main objective in the first part of the treatment. By removing toxins from the addict’s body, withdrawal symptoms will lessen and the patient will begin to feel in control of themselves in the process. It is crucial that the drug abuse treatment center has professional and trained staff to deal with this traumatic element of the process. Depending on the drug, the early stages of withdrawal can be a tremendous physical and psychological experience. The facility must be well equipped to handle all aspects of detoxification and must provide a safe and controlled environment in which the patient can recover and move on to the next stage.
Recovery
The recovery process is an ongoing aspect of drug abuse treatment. The drug abuse treatment center will help the recovering addict regain a sense of control over their life and provide them with mental tools to sustain themselves once they are ready to leave the facility and go back into the world. Again, a personal touch is important as each addict will experience recovery their way. Friends and family are important right now, and reconnecting with them can be a critical step in recovery. Sometimes the loss of confidence is so acute that it can be difficult to find friends and family willing to help in recovery. A good drug abuse treatment center will help bridge the gap and get much-needed support for the recovering addict.
The effective drug abuse treatment center is one that recognizes the addict as a real person, with a real problem. In essence, they must understand that increasing the patient’s sense of self-esteem and providing an atmosphere of dignity and respect are critical to a successful recovery. At the same time, they must be prepared to deal with all aspects of the difficult phase of drug withdrawal and detoxification, and be able to provide the patient with the psychological tools he or she will need to deal with life ‘on the outside’. In addition, they should be able to facilitate healing among family and friends, and enlist their help in the ongoing recovery process.
The drug abuse treatment center is a cornerstone in helping a recovering addict overcome addiction and find their way back into their life.