Drug Rehab and Drug Rehab Programs
January 10, 2008
Inpatient Short-Term Drug Rehabs and Drug Treatment Centers
Short-term inpatient drug addiction and alcohol rehab programs keep patients up to 30 days in a drug rehab or alcohol treatment center. Most of these addiction treatment programs focus on medical stabilization, abstinence, and lifestyle changes. Staff members are primarily medical professionals and counselors trained in the treatment of drug addiction and alcohol addiction.
Short-Term Residential drug rehab and alcohol rehabs provide intensive but relatively brief residential addiction treatment based on a modified 12-step approach, talk and group therapy. Once primarily for alcohol abuse treatment, these programs expanded into drug abuse treatment in the 1980s. Reduced health care coverage for substance abuse treatment and drug rehab programs has resulted in a diminished number of these programs, and the average length of stay under managed care review is much shorter than in early programs, averaging 7-14 days.
Gay, Lesbian Needs for Substance Abuse Treatment
January 10, 2008
People who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) represent a substantial minority of the U.S. population, yet pervasive prejudice and stigma often inhibit the development and provision of appropriate drug rehab and dual diagnosis services for them. This article provides basic information regarding common drug rehab and dual diagnosis concerns of GLBT persons to aid in the development of culturally competent mental health services.
Gay, Lesbian Substance Abuse Issues Research findings vary on rates of alcohol abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction and drug abuse among lesbians and gay men, but experts maintain that drug and alcohol abuse are significant health and mental health concerns for sexual minorities. One study found that lesbians and gay men were twice as likely to be moderate drinkers, but about equally as likely to be heavy drinkers, as heterosexuals. Experts note the likelihood of a link between internalized homophobia, low self-esteem, ongoing discrimination and alcohol abuse and drug abuse. GLBT who seek addiction treatment for substance abuse problems may encounter barriers to addiction treatment in unsupportive service settings. This is the reason for the need of gay friendly drug rehab programs and gay friendly alcohol rehab programs.
How Is Dual Diagnosis Treated?
January 8, 2008
Historically, addiction treatment programs, drug rehab programs and psychiatric hospitals, have treated dual diagnosis separately. This has not proved to be an effective addiction treatment approach and today most addiction treatment programs, drug rehabs and psychiatric hospitals treat both disorders concurrently.
- Ideally, drug addiction, alcoholism and psychiatric disorders should be treated simultaneously.
- The first step in addiction treatment for drug addiction or alcohol addiction must be detoxification or detox – a period of time during which the body is allowed to cleanse itself of alcohol and/or drugs and all withdrawal symptoms managed.
- Detox should be medically monitored as medical challenges do occur. Time in detox varies, depending on what substances the person is addicted to, the frequency of use and amount of usage.
- Once stable in detox, a psychiatrist will assess the person to determine the mental illness and how to best address it. Addiction treatment programs or drug rehab programs for this population should take a gradual approach. Those with a dual diagnosis have to proceed at their own pace.
- The goal of any quality drug addiction treatment program or drug rehab program should be abstinence and medication compliance.
- After completing drug addiction treatment or drug / alcohol rehab, the person should be involved in psychiatric follow up and aftercare in the drug rehab or addiction treatment program they have completed in order to prevent relapse.
Denial is an inherent part of the problem with dual diagnosis. The person with dual diagnosis often does not have insight as to the seriousness and the scope of their problem. In many cases, an intervention is required to get the person into addiction treatment or drug rehab so the recovery process can begin
Drug Rehab…What Is It?
January 8, 2008
Drug rehabilitation (often shortened to drug rehab) is an umbrella term for the processes of medical and/or psychotherapeutic addiction treatment, for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and so-called street drugs such as cocaine, heroin or amphetamines. The obvious intent is to enable the patient to cease their previous level of drug abuse, for the sake of avoiding its psychological, legal, social, and physical consequences, especially in extreme drug abuse.
Many drug rehab programs attempt to teach the patient new methods of interacting in a drug free method. In particular, patients are generally encouraged or required not to associate with friends who still use the addictive substance. 12 step programs encourage addicts not only to stop using alcohol or other drugs, but to examine and change habits related to their addictions. Many drug rehab programs emphasize that recovery is a permanent process without a culmination. For legal drugs such as alcohol complete abstention rather than attempts at moderation, which may lead to relapse are also emphasized (”One drink is too many; one hundred drinks is not enough.”) Whether moderation is achievable by persons with a history of drug abuse remains a controversial point but is generally considered unsustainable.
Alcohol Detox and Drug Detox; The First Step
January 6, 2008
Drug detox and alcohol detox is the first step on the road to recovery Drug detox and alcohol detox refers to the period during which all traces of the drug are being removed from the body. There are medications to facilitate drug detox and alcohol detox; some of which ease the physical pain and discomfort of alcohol withdrawal and drug withdrawal .
This crucial stage of drug detox and alcohol detox is vital to a complete recovery but should not be taken lightly or without the help of an addiction treatment professional. The withdrawals from some of the more dangerous drugs can be just as, if not more, physically dangerous than the use of the drug itself. Opiate withdrawal is one of the most serious drug detox processes and should be monitored closely by an addiction treatment professional to ensure success and to minimize potential side effects. Some of the side effects associated with certain drug detox periods are tremors, vomiting, severe body pain and breaks in psychological functioning. However uncomfortable some types of drug detox and alcohol detox may be, it is necessary to first rid the body of the substance it depends on so it may return to a state of functioning without it. It is only when a client’s mind and body are clear of the substance from drug detox that the psychological aspects of recovery can begin.
Drug detox and alcohol programs can be found in drug rehab programs, alcohol rehab programs, addiction treatment centers, local hospital and even in some jails or prisons. Law enforcement officials are now more educated about the dangers of drug detox and some offer medical care during the process to newly booked offenders. Although a very scary and daunting thought to drug dependent individuals, drug detox and alcohol detox is the first vital step in returning to a healthy lifestyle.
Florida Drug Rehab and Florida Alcohol Rehab Programs
January 6, 2008
Florida and Drug Rehab
Florida is a beautiful state with lots of sandy beaches and beautiful warm weather. No wonder it’s the number one choice for people who are considering where to go to drug rehab , addiction treatment or alcohol rehab. Although drug rehab is a lot of work and you are not there to “hang out” at the beach, you do get the opportunity to enjoy all that going to drug rehab in Florida has to offer.
Why a Florida Drug Rehab or Alcohol Rehab
Florida has quite a few licensed drug rehab facilities in the state, and many use Florida’s beautiful landscape to assist patients in their recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism. Most of the Florida drug rehab and alcohol rehab programs offer the same addiction treatment programs as drug rehab and alcohol rehab’s in other parts of the country, however Florida has become a popular choice for those seeking a new environment and a new start.
There are some perks for people who want to attend a drug rehab or alcohol rehab in Florida as well. You will find many of the addiction treatment services offered there are held outside. This provides the patient with an entirely different addiction treatment experience than just sitting in a closed room.
How to Choose a Florida Drug Rehab or Florida Alcohol Rehab
Since there are hundreds of different drug rehab programs and addiction treatment facilities in the state of Florida, if you are planning on attending or sending someone else there, take a close look at the drug rehab programs. Ask questions……Does the drug rehab program have their own medical detox program? Does the drug rehab program have a comprehensive family recovery component? Does the drug rehab have the ability to treat dual diagnosis and relapse prevention?
Gay Alcohol Abuse and Gay Alcohol Dependency
January 5, 2008
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Gay alcohol abuse and gay drug addiction is a problem for far too many gay Americans. Whether it is inherited or society related, drug addiction and gay alcohol addiction cause tremendous damage to those people that come in contact with the drug addict or alcoholic. Fortunately, there are gay alcohol rehab programs and drug rehab centers across the country that assist addicts, alcoholics and their families with the process of alcoholism treatment and drug addiction treatment.
Different Gay Alcohol Rehab Approaches
Different gay alcohol rehabs and drug rehab programs take different approaches, but the philosophy is usually the same – if you are suffering from alcohol abuse and can not manage to control your drinking, you are probably alcoholic.
Most quality alcohol rehab programs use medications to help the alcoholic and addict manage their alcohol withdrawal or drug withdrawal. Alcohol detox generally takes between five and seven days, depending on how much alcohol you were drinking, how frequent and a variety of other factors. Alcohol detox should take place in a medically monitored alcohol detox unit, within the alcohol rehab program.
Drug Rehab Programs in Maryland
January 5, 2008
Drug rehab programs in Maryland are geared toward the rehabilitation of persons who are trying to overcome their drug addiction. There are many types of drug rehab programs in Maryland with some being of short duration, some are residential addiction treatment centers and others are long term addiction treatment programs.
Maryland drug rehab programs are designed to address the physical aspects of drug addiction and the psychological aspects of integrating back into society. Some drug rehab programs are residential, especially for persons with serious drug addiction and may be covered by private or public insurance to some extent. There are also chemical dependency units where there is about a 3-6 week period of inpatient addiction treatment care where withdrawal from drugs is done in a medically safe fashion. It has been shown that plain replacement of opiate craving with methadone, while helpful is not as effective as a more comprehensive program with counseling and medical care.
New Jersey Drug Problems
January 5, 2008
There are approximately 40,000 drug rehab and addiction treatment center admissions in New Jersey each year, however, due to the high relapse rate of many traditional drug rehab programs most families are searching for something that works.
The Solution
Drug rehab and alcohol rehab that addresses the individual through a holistic approach is the most successful method. Our philosophy is to refer you to the best possible drug rehab center that can help handle the problem for good. We will refer you to drug rehab and alcohol rehab programs that will meet each person’s individual needs.
New Jersey Drug Situation
Cocaine is considered a significant drug threat to New Jersey. Powder cocaine is readily available throughout the State and crack cocaine is available in urban population areas. Cocaine is the drug most often associated with violent crime in the State. Cocaine is generally sold in ounce and pound quantities in New Jersey. Crack use is declining but remains available in the larger metropolitan areas of New Jersey.
Club drugs, which are mostly synthetic substances, are increasing in availability and use in New Jersey. LSD in liquid form is readily available in the metropolitan areas of New Jersey. During 2001, 34% of those surveyed in New Jersey reported lifetime usage of MDMA. 4.5% of those surveyed reported usage of MDMA within the past 30 days. The average user age was 17.3, and the average age of first time use was 15.9 years.
Heroin - The most common types of heroin available in New Jersey are Mexican black tar heroin and brown powdered heroin. New heroin users in New Jersey are often young adults who smoke or snort the drug rather than inject it. This is due to a misconception that this practice is safer and less likely to lead to addiction.
Drug Rehab and Treating Couples
January 5, 2008
Sometimes it is necessary in drug rehab and alcohol rehab for both the husband and wife to go for addiction treatment. Living togerther with the same lifestyle, likely means the same result, often with an addiction to the same drug. This leads to the obvious need to seek addiction treatment at the same time. If just one person seeks drug rehab and returns to their spouse who is still addicted the odds of relapse are very high. This leads to the question of is it better to go to the same drug rehab program, or is it better to go to different drug rehabs.
Firstly, not all drug rehab programs will accept couples. The reasoning is that most drug rehabs have rules against relationships between male and female clients and having a couple presents a new set of problems with those rules. Some addiction treatment centers will accept couples, but only as two “singles”, and the couple must not sleep together, and must follow all the rules as everyone else. Thirdly there are a few drug rehab centers that will accept couples as a couple, and allow them to stay together, in the same room as they seek addiction treatment.
Each of the three available options has some benefits and some drawbacks. Going to different locations has the benefit of allowing each person in the couple to seek unique addiction treatment, without having to deal with the stress of maintaining the relationship during the drug rehab. They can concentrate solely on getting better and not have to worry about how the partner may be coping or doing on any particular day. The drawback is of course being apart. Trust issues may arise, as well as the worry of growing in different directions while apart.
