The Facts about Substance Abuse Treatment

Entering a substance abuse program is the best way to overcome your drug or alcohol addiction. Your program may be versatile, understand that you may need to detoxify and then enter a rehab treatment or alternative program. Making the decision to get help is not a temporary fix for your problem; however by changing your habits and behavior and the way you think about drugs and alcohol, it can be a step toward a new life that offers freedom from drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.

You May Need Detox

Depending on how much substance abuse you have; how long you have been using and the frequency of your use, you may need to enter a detox program before you go to a rehab treatment or alternative program. Detoxification will clean your system of the toxic chemical from your drug or alcohol abuse. Most doctors agree that medical detox is the best option for many drug and alcohol addicts, with IV therapy medical detox being the most preferred.

IV therapy medical detox allows the medication to be changed as the withdrawal symptoms change for an immediate effect. The patient remains comfortable throughout the process, which allows them to stay and complete the detox. Patients who attend this type of program are more likely to be successful in sobriety than individuals that use other programs.

Residential or Non-residential

A substance abuse rehab treatment program or an alternative program can be a non-residential program and a residential program. The accord is that residential programs seem to be more effective because they offer the individual a place to get away from the stress of everyday life and to rest and learn how to have a life that does not include alcohol and drug abuse. Further, the programs that seem to obtain the most success are the ones that build self confidence, while inspiring hope and helping the individual plan for their future.

There are non-residential substance abuse rehab treatment programs that implement medical detox in the program. Most of these require that the individual also participate in a 12 step program such as A.A., N.A. or one of the other types that traditional 12 step offers. The individual would self-report to the doctor’s office or medical facility to receive medication to help with the detox and then report to the rehab for the meeting. The benefit to this type of program is that the individual can continue their daily routines while they are getting treatment.

The Program Philosophy is Important

Issues to consider in substance abuse treatment may be linked to the type of program: residential or non-residential, but also the philosophy of the program should be thoughtfully considered. If the program teaches that you have an incurable disease and that you are going to fail in your efforts to have a life that is free from substance abuse; you might want to reconsider the program. You want a program that will give you support and encouragement in your new life and not a program that will give you a feeling of defeat, use labels and judgments.

A New Life

Regardless of the method that you choose to use, the important thing is that you are ready to get the help that you need and you are closer to beginning your new life, free from drugs and alcohol abuse and addiction.