Life can be difficult.
We often make choices that lead to unintended consequences.
A path we take may lead us to a place that we did not intend to go.
Perhaps, we did our best to improve our prospects in life by working hard at a career.
The path appeared clear enough.
Unfortunately, while we may have achieved our financial goals, we also experience
unintended consequences: our health suffers because of stress.
In retrospect, we realize that we spent too much time working and too little time
recuperating.
We also sat in chairs too long, worried too intensely, and ate too many comfort foods.
Fortunately, when we find ourselves in the wrong place, experiencing consequences that
we did not intend, we can correct our course.
If our health has suffered due to accumulated stress, insufficient movement, and a diet
rich in sugar and fats, we can learn to destress through yoga, meditation, and massage.
Sometimes, however, course correction is much more complex.
If instead of comfort foods, we sought solace in pills, we end up with an opiate addiction.
Once we realize we need help, a professional counselor will suggest a course of action like rehab.
This is a daunting step to take.
While we are eager to recover, we have doubts about the recovery journey mapped out for us.
Our fears are based on dealing with an unknown process.
We imagine all sorts of irrational things, like being chained up by a strict disciplinary environ-
ment while we go cold turkey.
More often than not, what we imagine about rehab is not even true.
We make assumptions based on hearsay and wild guesses about the recovery journey.
“Recovery is part of
an ongoing healthier
living process.”
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the addiction rehab process
to put everything in perspective for you:
What is addiction rehabilitation?
An addiction rehabilitation program is a structured treatment plan designed to help
those struggling with addiction to get sober again.
The goal of rehab is to help an individual create a happy, healthy life.
How does rehab work?
There is no single, established procedure that everyone has to follow.
Instead, each treatment plan is customized to meet every individual’s specific needs.
The treatment plan will involve a combination of different approaches to help someone
regain their sense of personal control back again:
· A detoxification program.
· Group substance abuse therapy.
· Individual substance abuse therapy.
· Relapse prevention education.
· Aftercare planning.
What is detox?
During the process of detoxification, a person’s body gets rid of its addiction to a toxic
substance, specifically a certain type of recreational drug.
Since the process of withdrawal is often unpleasant, it’s necessary that the entire treatment
be medically supervised.
The more powerful the drug, the higher the dosage, and the more frequently the use, the
more unpleasant the withdrawal symptoms.
Medical supervision helps alleviate the psychological and physiological experiences a person
goes through as their body detoxifies.
What is substance abuse therapy like?
Substance abuse therapy is usually done in a group setting and in a private discussion with
a therapist.
Group sharing helps someone feel less isolated and get a broader understanding of their
addiction.
Individual therapy helps someone get the personalized attention they need to dig deeper
into their past and find the psychological causes for their addiction.
What is relapse prevention education?
In addition to gaining greater self-awareness through substance abuse therapy, individuals
get an essential education on how to recognize high-risk triggers when they feel an urge
to relapse.
People learn prevention skills to stay sober.
What is aftercare planning?
As someone approaches the end of their treatment program, they need to develop a plan to
prevent relapse.
Once they go back to their familiar environment, where no one is monitoring their behavior
any longer and where they are no longer receiving emotional support, there is a risk of relapse.
Aftercare planning includes provisions to allow someone to continue with therapy and join
a support group.
If necessary, sober living arrangements can also be made.
How long does a Rehab Treatment Process last?
Most programs run 30, 60 or 90 days.
The length of the most effective program is based on a treatment professional’s review.
This review considers the following factors about the client’s addiction:
· History
· Severity
· Specific substances that have been used
· The presence of any co-occurring medical or psychological conditions
· The physical health of the client
· The client’s attitudes and beliefs
· The client’s social and cultural background
Studies show that the longer the treatment, the more effective it turns out to be.
Clients have more time to explore the root causes of their addiction and acquire the knowledge
and skills they need to stay sober.
Does a Rehab Program cure addiction?
Therapists are reluctant to use the word “cure.”
A more accurate term is “manage.”
There is no cure; instead, clients learn to recognize the causes and symptoms of their
addiction and manage it through their daily lives.
They learn how to stop reacting to the triggers that tempt substance abuse.
Jerry Lerner, MD, medical director at Sierra Tucson, believes that recovery is a lifelong
process.
Addiction is not something that can be cured.
He says: “Recovery is part of an ongoing healthier living process.”
Have you or a loved one gone through the addiction rehabilitation process?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
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