Rehabilitation centers specialize in providing professional help to people who are struggling with addiction. The professionals who work there use a combination of treatments to help patients on their journey to recovery. People who go to a detox center can learn how to live a full life without depending on using drugs.
1. Medical Supervision
One hallmark of trustworthy detox programs is qualified medical personnel who are experienced in helping people recovering from addiction handle their withdrawal symptoms. Some patients may experience severe withdrawal symptoms that can be life-threatening, such as seizures. Individualized treatment plans can take each person’s personal medical history into account from the beginning and figure out how to appropriately reduce drug dependence. Medications can be prescribed that alleviate symptoms and reducing cravings.
2. Safe Location
A huge benefit of drug rehabilitation centers is that the patient is removed from their everyday temptations. Anyone in their life who would ordinarily be offering them drugs is not there to pressure them. Stress from work or friction between family members or friends is kept at a distance, leaving space to heal without outside distractions. The facility will have a structured routine set up for patients so that they can build a new routine that does not involve drug use.
3. Counselors
Patients will learn facts about addiction, what causes it and how to overcome it. Many times, people turn to drugs due to underlying issues, such as untreated or unrecognized symptoms of anxiety or depression, or issues at work or problems in their home life. If the patient has any mental illness issues, they may need help for those at the same time as they go through their drug addiction treatment.
Counselors will discuss what triggers the urge to use substances, how to prevent them and how to resist if they cannot be avoided. A plan for transitioning back into everyday life may be ironed out, with tips for staying clean and what sort of healthy habits can replace drug use as a coping technique. Methods for handling stress like meditation, exercise, a healthy diet and a regular sleep schedule can be taught to patients who can take those methods and use them in their regular lives. The more prepared a patient is to confront their issues and commit themselves to living a clean and healthy lifestyle, the better.
Following the treatment plan laid out by counselors and other workers at the facility can help patients return to their lives without having a relapse. A relapse can be a one-time event, but often signals a return to the addiction. Relapses can be dangerous, as someone whose body is no longer used to taking high doses of a drug may take the same dose they were taking previously and overdose.
4. Support Groups
Besides one-on-one sessions with a counselor, there are also group sessions with other people. At the support meetings, patients can talk about their experiences and share their struggles with others. Group members can give and receive support to increase their confidence and ability to cope without drug use. Since people are social creatures, it is natural for them to seek out others who they can relate to. Being at a facility for treatment ensures access to peers who are going through similar experiences. Employees can also recommend other groups that can be joined once a patient has left the facility and is transitioning back into their normal life. Joining a support group after leaving the drug rehabilitation center can make a huge difference in whether or not a patient will continue to live a life free from drugs.
It can take a lot of courage for many people to admit that not only do they have a problem but that they need assistance with their issues. Making the decision to go to a drug rehabilitation facility may be made by the individual on their own, after an intervention staged by their family and friends or because of a court order after they have been caught committing a crime. No matter what the reason is that someone is going to stay at a facility, they will be surrounded by a fantastic support system comprised of people who are dedicating to helping them live a healthier, happier life.