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.
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
Differences in Drug Addiction Treatment Centers
January 6, 2008
If you suffer from drug addiction, alcohol addiction, dual diagnosis or even an eating disorder, then you have probably thought of entering a drug rehab program at a drug addiction treatment center. Even if you have not given it some serious consideration, the odds are good that a loved one has. There are many such addiction treatment programs available, some are well publicized drug rehabs, while other addiction treatment programs seem like they are located in residential neighborhoods. The common thread for all of these drug addiction treatment programs is that each drug addiction treatment center provides the individual with an opportunity to achieve long term recovery from drugs, alcohol, their eating disorder or dual diagnosis.
What is this drug addiction treatment success based on?
While there may not be an actual secret to addiction treatment success, a successful drug addiction treatment center simply helps the person suffering from drug addiction or alcoholism to break through their denial, become honest and work towards wanting recovery as much as they desired drugs or alcohol. Drug addiction treatment, whether for alcoholism, dual diagnosis or an eating disorder is a process, not an event, and takes time.
Where Do I Find a Gay Drug Rehab?
January 6, 2008
I recently received a call from a man who was interested in locating a gay drug rehab. He and his partner were planning a wedding and thought it would be a good idea to get clean and sober before going any further with their lives. After a few weeks in a gay drug rehab and, they agreed that the work they accomplished benefited them as a couple and as individuals. They felt ready to begin the next chapter in their lives.
I offer this example because it is so different from what I usually see. In my intervention work I have found—whether they are lesbian, gay, or straight—that very few people in a relationship with a drug addiction or alcohol addiction seek addiction treatment prior to getting married. Most continue with their drug addiction and alcoholism in denial and hoping things will get better. Needless to say, things rarely get better as the drug addiction or alcoholism becomes more progressive.
It is difficult to move forward in any relationship when drug addiction or alcoholism are present as communication begins to break down, drug use becomes the priority and depression, anger and resentment are all common place.
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.
Why So Few Gay Drug Rehab Programs in Texas
January 5, 2008
When a person thinks of the state of Texas, they think big everything. Unfortunately one thing they are not big on is inpatient addiction treatment for the GLBT population. In cites such as Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston or Abilene, there is a growing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population. As with any population growth comes a need for certain healthcare services, in this case, we are speaking of gay friendly addiction treatment or gay friendly drug rehab programs in Texas.
Can’t Gay Men and Lesbians Go to Existing Drug Rehab Programs in Texas?
The answer is yes they can. For gay men and women who are secure in their sexuality, sexual preference and the issues that surround them such as internalized homophobia, homophobia, coming out and others, then any drug rehab, alcohol rehab or addiction treatment program may suffice. Unfortunately, that is not usually the case. Most drug rehabs or alcohol rehab programs are not gay friendly, which means having the addiction treatment services and addiction treatment staff necessary to address the issues mentioned above. Without a gay friendly environment or gay friendly addiction treatment staff, the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender will probably experience attitudes similar to that of discrimination, prejudice and feelings of being judged.
Gay Drug Rehab Programs in Illinois
January 5, 2008
Drug Rehab programs and alcohol rehab programs have been available for the heterosexual community in Illinois for the last 25 years. The drug rehabs in Illinois have been of high quality and both inpatient and outpatient drug addiction treatment. There has been drug rehab programs for almost any kind of drug addiction or alcohol addiction. You can find drug rehab programs for the elderly, adolescent, men or women, but the GLBT population (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) seems to have been forgotten. Where do the GLBT go where they can receive drug rehab treatment without being judged?
Gay Addiction Treatment History Historically, the GLBT community suffering from drug addiction or alcoholism, were expected to fit into primarily heterosexual drug rehab or alcohol rehab programs. Can you imagine being heterosexual and being asked to fit into a gay drug rehab program or gay alcohol rehab program. What do you think your drug rehab experience would be like?
Drug Rehab Concerns
January 2, 2008
Selecting an addiction treatment program for alcoholism and drug abuse for yourself or someone you care about may be one of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime. Most of us don’t know what to look for in a quality drug rehab program. Not all addiction treatment centers are the same-they differ greatly in drug rehab program options, staff qualifications, credentials, cost, and effectiveness.
You need to ask appropriate questions when you call an alcohol rehab program or addiction treatment program. One important question is listed below:
Does the addiction treatment center offer a variety of programs?
Alcoholism and drug addiction is a disease that progresses through predictable stages. It takes a trained health professional, often a doctor specializing in addiction medicine, to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most appropriate addiction treatment.
Quality drug rehabs should offer a variety of addiction treatment programs that meet individual needs. Programs may include detox, inpatient addiction treatment, residential addiction treatment, outpatient, and/or short-stay options.
The difference between inpatient addiction treatment and residential addiction treatment is that inpatient services are provided by a licensed hospital, while residential addiction treatment programs usually do not meet the same rigorous standards of medical care. Today, most residential addiction treatment programs provide medically monitored detox services at their facility. Don’t be afraid to ask, because having detox at your own facility makes a tremendous difference in continuity of care.
Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Rehab
December 22, 2007
Alcoholism is a serious disease and the problem is growing. The National Council On Alcoholism And Drug Dependence statistics reveal that approximately 18 million Americans abuse alcohol. Each year more than 100,000 Americans die from alcohol related deaths and alcohol abuse is a factor in nearly half of all traffic fatalities. Over half of the men and women in the United States report that one or more of their family members have an alcohol abuse problem.
According to the National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism, alcoholism is a disease that has four main components:
. Craving-an overwhelming need to drink
. Loss of Control-An inability to put the drink down
. Physical Dependence-After a period of heavy drinking withdrawal symptoms occur
such as nausea, shaking, and anxiety
. Tolerance-Needing greater amounts of alcohol to obtain a “high”
Read more
Drug Rehab and the 12 Steps
December 20, 2007
One of the most common types of drug rehab and alcohol rehab programs involve those making use of the 12 steps from alcoholics anonymous. The basis of the 12 steps involve an admission of one’s powerlessness over drug addiction or alcoholism. By then asking assistance from a Higher Power, ( God, the Universe, Budda, or whatever your belief system is) you go through a process involving the other steps to rebuild your life.
Tweleve Step programs have a couple of advantages that are apparent no matter what style of program it is. One is that they are 12 step meetings all over the world. When you leave the drug rehab treatment program, you will always be able to find a meeting to attend if you want to connect.
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