A drug rehab center is a center that specializes in the treatment of individuals with alcohol and drug dependency issues.
Drug rehabilitation addresses the nature of drug dependency both physically and psychologically. Physical dependency usually involves a detoxification process to cope with the withdrawal symptoms from regular drug use. Psychological dependency is addressed by teaching the patient new methods of interacting in a drug free way. Patients are encouraged, via counseling, group sessions and 12-step programs, not to associate with friends who still use addictive substances. Patients are also encouraged to examine and change habits related to their addiction.
There are various types of programs that offer help in drug rehabilitation including residential treatment, outpatient, local support groups, extended care centers and sober houses. Most residential drug rehab centers offer physical therapy, nutritional therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy. Drug and alcohol addiction is an individual disease that affects many. The rehabilitation process is very similar. Drug rehab is an individual process that works best when you share your individual struggles with others in a similar situation. Family and friends should also be involved in this recovery process by attending individual counseling sessions, family counseling sessions and support groups specifically designed for family members of an individual with a drug or alcohol problem.
Each addiction treatment method will be unique to the individual depending on the type of drug/alcohol problem that they are dealing with. Factors such as the substance being abused, the length of abuse, age, gender, medical issues, etc. will all be taken into consideration during treatment.
Of all the various types of programs for drug rehab that are available, residential treatment is obviously the most restrictive. Residential treatment is usually reserved for those individuals with a severe drug/alcohol problem or for those individuals who have failed at other methods of sobriety. Residential treatment can last anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the issue. Most residential treatment facilities are in a medical center or have some affiliation with a medical center for holistic treatment. Some residential treatment centers offer holistic approaches to rehabilitation and others are more medical in nature.
Outpatient programs are less restrictive and offer a wide variety of days/times. Most of these programs require mandatory attendance and strict adherence to the guidelines and requirements for the specific program. Many hospitals and drug rehab centers offer this type of outpatient treatment. Most of these programs allow the individual to maintain some semblance of normality by allowing them to work/continue to live at home with family during the course of the program, provided the individual has an excellent support network.
Extended care centers and sober houses provide a safe place for the recovering addict to go after residential treatment and or after outpatient treatment (if it is determined that the individual does not have a supportive network at home). These types of programs offer continuous support during the addict’s recovery by providing shelter, food and continued group therapy/counseling sessions for the recovering addict. Many of these centers also provide assistance with employment and permanent housing issues that may have arisen as a result of the individual’s addiction.