Treatment Options for Recovery

Learning more about treatment options when dealing with addiction is a great way to arm yourself with the tools for sound decision-making. Drug and alcohol addiction and substance abuse, in general, is a concerning problem in the nation today, and it has been for some time. The issue worsens every year and brings a range of drug-related problems.

In April 2019, at the Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit in Atlanta, Georgia, President Trump issued this statement about the drug abuse crisis:

“Today, I’m honored to join the thousands of leaders — and that’s what you are: leaders — from across the country for the 2019 Prescription Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit.  Very important. Everyone here today is united by the same vital goal: to liberate our fellow Americans from the grip of drug addiction and to end the opioid crisis once and for all. “

One of the best ways our government can help people who are addicted is to ensure that they receive effective, affordable treatment.  Many governmental agencies are actively working on improving this situation.

What Do I Need in a Rehab?

When considering the treatment options offered by a rehab center, you will see that there are many types of rehab centers. One has to be careful in making a selection on where to go for treatment. 

With inpatient rehab, it actually becomes possible to beat addiction once and for all. More specifically, those who are hooked on drugs and alcohol should enter an inpatient drug and alcohol addiction treatment center. These facilities and the services that they offer are the best approaches to addressing the addiction crisis.

There are multiple criteria for which rehab centers will offer the best of services. Based on scientific research since the mid-1970s, the following core and fundamental principles should form the basis of any effective treatment program that will work:

• Addiction is a complex but treatable disorder that affects brain function and behavior.
• No single treatment is right for everyone who tries it.
• People need quick access to affordable treatment.
• Effective treatment addresses all of the patient’s needs, not just the drug use and abuse.
• Staying in treatment long enough is critical and necessary.
• Counseling and other behavioral therapies are the most commonly used forms of treatment, and they work.
• Medications are often an essential part of treatment, especially when combined with behavioral therapies, but they cannot be used in excess.
• Treatment plans must be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s changing needs as he or she grows.
• Treatment should address other possible mental disorders that might come along with it.
• Medically assisted detoxification is only the first stage of treatment, and there is more needed than that.
• Treatment doesn’t need to be voluntary to be efficient and workable.
• Drug use during treatment must be monitored continuously.
• Treatment programs should be all-inclusive, and they should test patients for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases as well as teach them about steps they can take to reduce their risk of these illnesses.

Inpatient rehab is the most effective treatment approach for any addiction.  Patients are secure in a monitored environment where there can be no access to addictive substances.  The patient’s needs are provided by compassionate staff members who understand the complexities of recovery.  All activities and classes are structured in such a way as to be educational and enjoyable. The goal is to help patients regain self-confidence, learn to socialize while sober and build a firm foundation for reconstructing their life after rehab.

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Treatment Options: The Types of Rehab Programs

Many different approaches and methodologies are available for addressing drug and alcohol abuse and addiction, such as:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is a fundamental approach. This therapy helps patients recognize, avoid, and cope with the situations in which they are most likely to use drugs. It teaches them the underlying triggers that cause substance abuse, so they know what to stay away from.
• Multidimensional Family Therapy is a powerful technique. This method was developed for adolescents with drug addiction problems as well as their families too. It is an approach which addresses a range of influences on their substance abuse patterns and is designed to improve overall family functioning as well.
• Motivational Interviewing is a positive method. This method makes the most of a person’s readiness to change their behavior and enter treatment and make positive changes in their lives.
• Motivational Incentives, also known as Contingency Management, are also positive techniques. This approach uses positive reinforcement to encourage abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

Familiarize yourself with these methods for addiction treatment and decide which ones would be best so that you can make sure they are included in your treatment program or the treatment program that is selected for your loved one.

Why Rehab is So Important

The key to beating substance abuse and addiction is with inpatient rehab. Many different treatment approaches are utilized in inpatient programs. Some the individual will like more than others. That is to be expected. But the bottom line is that any approach to addiction treatment is going to be a whole heck of a lot better than no approach at all. An individual needs to take part in choosing the best program for his or her needs, but that does not mean that any program, even if it does not have the factors that the person wants, won’t be at least somewhat useful.

The truth is that drug and alcohol addiction and substance abuse, in general, is ruining this nation. There are now more than 25 million Americans who are addicted to drugs and alcohol, which is almost 15 percent of the American population. The government spends over $600 billion every year just dealing with addiction-related crime and other issues.  Also, more than 100 thousand Americans die yearly from drug and alcohol addiction, making this a real crisis, to say the least.

Substance abuse is a real problem, to say the least, and it has been for decades, but recently, it has gotten much worse. Inpatient rehab gives people a chance to gain back control of their lives.  Now more than ever, these possibilities need to be pursued, and these changes need to be taken. It will be immensely beneficial in the long run if everyone who is addicted to drugs and alcohol can get the help they so desperately need.