Substance abuse treatment is a combination of detox, therapies, and support for those who have substance use disorder (SUD) and need to find a way to live without the use of drugs or alcohol. There is a stigma that people face regarding attending rehab, and those who need the help sometimes deny their need because of how they will be judged. People who do not understand the problem do an injustice to those who could use the help. The negative effects of drug use on this country are staggering, from impacts on the criminal justice system to healthcare. Those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol and want to help themselves can rely on the support and compassion they will find in a substance abuse treatment center.
What is substance use disorder (SUD)?
Not all people are susceptible to acquiring a SUD. It depends on their level of self-control, genetics, upbringing, environment, and so many other factors. Two groups exist:
- Substance use disorders – symptoms caused by the use of a substance that you continue to take despite the problems that it is causing.
- Substance induced disorders – problems that weren’t present before the use of drugs, such as substance-induced psychotic, bipolar, depressive, anxiety, OCD, sleep, neurocognitive, and sexual dysfunction disorders.
How do I know if I need substance abuse treatment?
An estimated 21.5 million Americans over the age of 12 are believed to have had a substance abuse disorder in the past. Everyone has heard a story about a friend’s sibling or an acquaintance’s teenage child, and many times, it eventually hits close to home. So, what are the risk factors that can lead to someone abusing drugs?
- Absent and ineffective parenting
- The parents use drugs
- There is a lack of parental attachment and nurturing
- The home atmosphere is chaotic
- An attitude that drug use is acceptable
- History of anxiety or mental disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder
- ADHD
- Being male
Not all people who live with these behaviors are going to end up using drugs. Some teens or young adults are just going through a great deal with raging hormones and issues with friends and partners that they look like they would be using; however, they are simply dealing with the stress of being a teenager in this modern world. The signs that someone may need intervention for a substance abuse disorder (SUD) include:
- Declining work or school performance, late to or missing classes, or late and missing work altogether
- Out of character aggressiveness or irritability
- Forgetfulness
- Giving up previously loved activities or friends for a new group
- Noticing that money or belongings are disappearing
- Not caring about others
- Depression, hopelessness, and possible suicidal thoughts
- Planning when to use, hiding it, and using alone
- Lying about use
- Physical problems without cause (slurred speech, redness of eyes, etc.)
- Risky behavior (driving while intoxicated and sexually)
- Criminal activity
- Thinking you cannot have fun without drugs or alcohol
Whether you are analyzing your own behavior or that of a loved one, if you recognize any of these signs, you should start to research and find the substance abuse treatment center that would give you the best chances of recovery.
What makes someone successful in substance abuse treatment?
Only 40% of the population in a substance abuse treatment facility admitted themselves of their own accord. The other 60% were urgent admissions because their life was in danger from an overdose or the start of withdrawal symptoms from alcohol, barbs, or benzos, which can result in life-threatening issues. Substance abuse treatment helps people go through detox by allowing the body to safely remove the substance to which it has become accustomed to functioning around. Three factors are found in those who find success:
- They are determined to involve themselves in treatment
- They actively participate in the activities and therapies,
- They receive intense treatment.
- Their support systems and groups are available and nonjudgmental.
What does a day in the life look like in a substance abuse treatment program?
Not every program looks the same, since they all offer different treatments, activities, and amenities. An effective and reputable one will employ the use of a combination of therapies in order to achieve the best outcome. There will be a combination of individual and group therapies in the following basic process.
- Detox – This is the first step is the get the chemical properties out of the system. This, however, is not the only step and definitely does not mean that you are cured. Withdrawal symptoms should be monitored when going through detox for specific drugs that can be life-threatening, such as alcohol and opioids. The drug has caused changes to the brain and taking it away can cause seizures and heart attacks that can be fatal.
- Rehab – This is where people face the demons that brought them to this point in their life. Detox is not enough. It is only the first step to finding healthier ways to handle the issues with which you have a hard time dealing. These therapies help you learn and adopt coping skills that give you more effective ways to handle life. The different types of rehab include inpatient drug rehab, inpatient alcohol rehab, as well as outpatient options for both. Finding what process works the best for each person can be somewhere in a blend of the following therapies:
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) - Patients learn how to change damaging thoughts to helpful ones so that they can better handle stress and anxiety. These coping skills benefit them long after they leave rehab and are especially beneficial when also dealing with a mental health issues, such as in dual diagnosis treatments.
- DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) - The patient will discover triggers them and learn how to avoid them. They will also adopt healthier behaviors instead of the damaging ones they led them down this path in the first place.
- REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) - People overcome self-defeating emotions like guilt, anger, and anxiety, while changing how they react to problems that arise in their life.
- MM (Matrix Model) Considerably helped those with a stimulant addiction. Therapists form positive, non-confrontational, and encouraging relationships with the patient, improving their self-esteem and self-worth.
- MI (Motivational Interviewing) – Useful for addicts who were unwillingly admitted to rehab, which is about 60% of the facility’s population. MI motivates them to accept and take full advantage of treatment.
- CM (Contingency Management) - Employs the use of incentives to help patients stay sober and in substance abuse treatment.
- MAT (medication-assisted treatment) – Uses drugs created to decrease the discomfort from withdrawal symptoms, as well as easing intense cravings. Withdrawal can be fatal in certain cases. The most common prescriptions used include:
- Methadone – Used mostly to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms, while blocking the feeling of being high if someone does use. If they must stay on methadone after successfully completing the program, methadone clinics provide their dose and support options.
- Suboxone (buprenorphine) – Only one be prescribed outside of an addiction center setting and generally used for opioid addictions. It decreases physical dependency, withdrawal symptoms, and cravings. Suboxone clinics offer the daily dose and are supportive to addicts in recovery.
- Vivitrol (naltrexone) – In the family of suboxone and blocks the euphoric feeling. The only one that is not itself addictive and will not cause withdrawal symptoms. It also suppresses cravings.
- Naloxone reverses the toxic effects of the drug, stopping an overdose. Mostly used in opioid addictions.
- Acamprosate – Used in alcohol addiction treatment and causes unpleasant side effects if alcohol is consumed.
- Disulfiram – Causes unpleasant reaction if someone drinks alcohol.
- Alternate therapies that are used in programs, often popular in holistic drug rehab and holistic alcohol rehab centers, also include massage, equine, art, music, drama, pets, acupuncture, and others that help to heal the person as a whole and remind them of what they used to love before drugs took over their mind.
What is a good plan for aftercare when completing substance abuse treatment?
Planning what support groups and therapy protocol will help someone after they successfully complete a treatment program will be done with the assistance of one of the counselors of a good program. The support system will be key to the success in staying sober. Relapse is a normal part of the recovery process; however, finding help when it happens is essential. When someone has surgery, they will need to take care of themselves physically and mentally in the aftermath so that they can properly recover. It is no different with addiction. Some possibilities of aftercare include:
- Returning to the center for group and individual therapies on a structured schedule. This may gradually decrease as time goes on and success is being noticed.
- Sober living home or halfway house – transitioning back into life can be difficult and living amongst peers who are dealing with the same issues can give you the support you need. This may also keep you away from unsupportive family members and triggers that would hinder your success.
- 12-step programs – Programs like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and NA (Narcotics Anonymous) helps put strategies into effect that help you live a better life and atone for your past. It helps with stress management.
Not only is there this basic help available, many places assist with the following resources as well:
- Legal advice
- Career counseling
- Life coaching and setting goals
- Financial planning
- Academic support
Knowing which substance abuse program will offer you or your loved one the greatest chance of success is key to recovery. Anyone who has been addicted to a substance will need a great deal of support if they are expected to recover, just as if they were in the hospital for an illness and need care after they get out. Learning what you need and surrounding yourself with new and old friends and family who stand by your side will give you the best support. Learning what coping skills to put into place during any given situation is one thing but putting them to use is another. This will take some practice, so do not beat yourself up if you fall down a few times. Always get back up and try again. There is always hope when someone wants to reach for the life that they once had.
How Do I Find Substance Abuse Treatment Near Me?
