ephas
26 October 2021
Addiction is complex and it can control a person’s life. There are millions who suffer from substance use and only a small percentage have received treatments to address the issues. Someone suffering from addiction needs to undergo custom treatment to address the underlying causes and symptoms of their condition.
Treatment can also help analyse the consequences of using drugs and narcotic substances on a person’s life, including their ability to socialise, their psychological and physical health, and negative consequences at their workplace, home, or school.
What is Rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation involves extensive therapy to rectify drug-seeking behaviours, implement better coping mechanisms, and teach critical relapse prevention skills. Various rehab centres and aftercare support offer individuals long-term support and continued relapse prevention opportunities, which are an important part of ongoing and effective recovery.
The Addiction-Rehab Process
Undoubtedly, the journey from substance use disorder (SD) to leading a healthy and sober life is not like a walk in the park. For most addicts, the process is a lifelong commitment of dedication and hard work. Although the walk towards sobriety can be through a rough path, professional treatment helps most people to take the right approach.
Many addicts report that rehab programs can sometimes cause confusion and anxiety. While people have different experiences, those undergoing and completing a rehab program can expect to progress through four distinct phases- intake, detox, rehabilitation, and aftercare, or ongoing recovery.
8 Things to Consider While Visiting Rehab Centre for First-Time Treatment
Your first time receiving addiction treatment can be intimidating. Even if you decided to quit an addiction, you might still feel nervous or scared about going to a centre. Knowing what happens at a rehab centre might calm your mind. Here are some of the most common features of rehab programs that you can consider and prepare for as a first-time treatment seeker:
Not all treatments are fit for all patients
The treatments offered by rehab clinics vary. Programs match treatment settings, interventions, and services, focusing on the most severe problems of the individual, to help them improve and become a productive functioning member in the family, workplace, and society.
Addiction is a complex issue that affects your brain function and behaviour
Substance abuse alters the structure and function of the brain, which has long-term effects. Therefore, many addicts are at the risk of relapse even after long periods of abstinence and might be involved in potentially devastating consequences.
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Treatments are not readily available
Addicted individuals are uncertain about entering treatment. Hence, taking advantage of the available services the moment people are ready for treatments becomes crucial. The rehab centre might lose potential patients due to a lack of treatment, as the sooner you start the treatment, the sooner the individual will recover.
Behavioural therapies are the most commonly used treatments for drug abuse
Behavioural therapies include the addicted individuals, their families, and groups. The therapy can vary in focus and might involve:
- Addressing a patient’s motivation for change.
- Providing incentives for abstinence.
- Building skills for resisting drug use and replacing drug-using activities.
Furthermore, behavioural therapies improve problem-solving skills and facilitate better interpersonal relationships. Patients should be participating in group counselling, group therapies, and other peer support programs during the treatment to help in maintaining abstinence.
Medication is an essential element in treating patients
There are many medications used for treating individuals addicted to substances. The medications stabilise the lives of the patients and reduce illicit drug use. Rehab centres may also offer nicotine replacement products (such as gums, tablets, and oral medications) to patients addicted to nicotine. Medication is an important tool in helping someone recover from addiction.
Patients with drug addicts might have other psychological problems
Drug abuse and addiction are both mental disorders. Patients often experience other psychological disorders in association with substance abuse. This is why rehab programs analyse other psychological conditions and address treatments for all problems, physical and mental.
Effective treatments are not always voluntary
The sanctions and enticements from the patient’s family, the criminal justice system, and employment settings have a significant role in treating a patient. The sanctions increase treatment entry and retention rates of the patients, which ultimately leads to the success of addiction interventions.
Medications require monitoring, as they might cause lapses during treatment
Regular monitoring of patients gives a clinic early insight into whether a patient tends to return to drug or alcohol use, which signals a possible need to adjust a patient’s treatment plan.
If you or someone you know is a first-time rehab treatment seeker, understanding how rehab programs work can be greatly beneficial.
