Drug Rehab
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If you are addicted on drugs or alcohol, deciding to enter a drug rehab program is probably one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. But determining what to look for in a drug rehab program can be difficult. Drug rehab programs vary in terms of cost, length of time the program has been in place, the degree of effectiveness, and basic methodologies. This site can act as a starting point in the decision making process in terms of finding the right drug rehab program to meet your particular needs.
Most of the drug rehab programs also provide treatment for alcoholism. When reading the literature about drug addiction and alcoholism, they are usually discussed separately, but because they both involve a physical and psychological component in terms of dependency, both of these addictions are treated at most of the drug rehab programs in the United States. Here when we talk about drug addiction, we are also talking about alcoholism and alcohol dependency. The stages of alcohol and drug dependency are very predictable, and like most diseases, need appropriate assessment by a professional in order to provide the right treatment.
If you are dependent on a substance such as alcohol or drugs, and the continual use of that substance is needed in order to feel normal, and stoppage of the intake of that substance results in withdrawal symptoms, then by definition you are addicted. If the intake of alcohol or drugs interferes with your job, school, or whatever activity you do on a normal basis, then the addiction is something you want to eliminate. Of course in this situation you would benefit from drug rehab.
Sometimes people get confused as to what an addiction really is. The term “addiction” seems to be used quite freely in the United States. What some people call an addiction are really not addictions at all. By definition an addiction has both a psychological and physical component to the dependency involved, and withdrawal from the substance results in a period of distress and pain because of the physical dependence. An example of the term “addiction” being used to freely is when people call a highly conditioned runner addicted to running.
When running, endorphins are released form the brain which causes the runner to feel good, also called the runners high. Usually this runner’s high stays with the runner for a few hours after running. But what if the runner needs to stop running for a few weeks because of an injury. Although the runner may feel as if he/she may have overall less energy and may feel sluggish, there is no withdrawal symptoms. So for a substance to be truly addictive, there needs to be clear withdrawal symptoms when stopping the use of the drug or alcohol. If this is your case, then you need to seek drug rehabilitation.
All drug rehab programs address the psychological and physical dependence of the drug or alcohol. As any drug addict or alcoholic knows, there is an ever increasing need for the drug or alcohol, simply because there is a natural adaptation that is taking place inside the brain. The brain gradually adapts to the presence of the drug or alcohol so that the desired effect is minimal. Over time, more and more of the drug or alcohol needs to be taken in order to achieve the desired affect. And at this point the drug has completely taken over the persons life. The person needs to continually take the drug in order to prevent total and complete physical withdrawal. Drug rehab programs address this physical withdrawal, and provide a medically safe environment during the withdrawal period.
Drug rehab programs also address the psychological dependence and teach the individual how to live in a drug free environment. For example, one of the requirements in many drug rehab programs is to not allow the drug addict to associate with any friends who are still dependent on the drug. Many drug rehab programs use what is called the Twelve Step Program which teach addicts how to change the bad habits and behavior which led to their addiction. Lets look at the components of this twelve step program, which many drug rehab programs incorporate into their rehabilitation. This twelve step program was actually first published in 1939 and although modifications of it have been implemented, the core components of the program have remained the same, and it has proven to have a high degree of effectiveness.
These are the original Twelve Steps as defined by Alcoholics Anonymous:
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His Will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Today, most drug rehab programs incorporate counseling in conjunction with the Twelve Step Program. Some drug rehab centers do not implement the Twelve Step Program. If the Twelve Step Program is used as part of the treatment, statistically patients tend to stay drug free longer. For further information on the effectiveness of the Twelve Step methodology, go to The National Institute on Drug Abuse - Adding More Counseling Sessions and 12-Step Programs Can Boost Drug Abuse Treatment Effectiveness
When looking for a drug rehab program, look and see if they incorporate the twelve step methodology, or some modification of it, with counseling for treating the psychological dependence on drugs.
Many drug rehab programs treat the physical dependency of drugs using methadone. Opioids such as heroin, morphine or oxycodone are usually treated with methadone. Methadone helps an addict go through the physical withdraw of the drug more easily. A new drug called Ibogaine is an experimental medication. It is designed to interrupt both physical dependence and psychological craving to many drugs including narcotics, stimulants, and alcohol.
What we are providing here is simply what you should expect in most drug rehab programs. Some drug rehab programs will incorporate other methodologies for treating the physical and psychological dependence of drugs and alcohol. A complete analysis on the psychological and physical dependence of drugs is outside the purview of this mini site. Here we simply provide you with some basic information and what you should expect in a typical drug rehab program. For a more complete analysis of the components of drug addiction go to drug addiction - Wikipedia.
The length of time of drug rehab programs can vary tremendously. This really depends on the severity of your addiction and at what stage your addiction is in when starting treatment. Programs may include inpatient, residential, outpatient, and/or short-stay options.
Costs for drug rehab programs can vary and it depends to what degree of services you want to use. What can also vary is the degree to which health insurance will cover the cost. Some health insurance companies simply do not cover the cost of drug rehab programs. So make sure you understand what the costs will be, and if all, part, or none will be covered by your health insurance. We feel that health insurance companies should cover the cost, since drug addiction is really a disease that needs to be addressed at the physical and psychological level. The problem is many health insurance companies do not look at this way, and of course health insurance companies are always trying to cut costs.
The following is the most comprehensive list we could find in terms of drug rehab programs in the United States. This list is comes from About.com. For convenience, these programs have been broken down by state and are alphabetized left to right:
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Drug Rehab - Conclusion
Drug rehab is an available service in the United States, and is provided to the individual who has developed a psychological and physical dependence on a drug or alcohol. The removal of the physical and psychological dependence of a drug or alcohol is an ongoing process. When seeking a drug rehab program, make sure it is one that can meet your unique needs and that you are comfortable with the program. Drug and alcohol addiction can tear deeply into a persons life and prevent him or her from reaching a full potential as a human being. Treatment really is the only viable option.
Drug Rehab - Videos
 Here’s Exactly How I Kicked My Alcohol & Drug Addiction 24 years Ago…And How You Can Too! 
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The following is the most current news about drug rehab. Here you find news about new treatment modalities, new findings in the area of physical and psychological dependence on drugs, and just about anything that has to do with drug rehab.
Drug Rehab - News
Drug and Alcohol Rehab Solutions for Addiction
Drug Treatment and Alcohol Problem Solutions
Addiction to Antidepressants
Addiction to antidepressants can be confused with withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication, especially with long term use of antidepressants.
Dangers of Oxycontin Abuse: Be Careful
Oxycontin is a prescription analgesic that is prescribed to relieve severe pain. It is considered a Schedule 2 drug and must be prescribed by a doctor in order to obtain it. It has become also something that people use as a high and buy from others or try to fake pain in order to get a prescription from a physician.
Teens and Prescription Drug Abuse
I hope you'll find this video useful. It is about Sonnny Bono's son and his noticing of an increased use of prescription drugs such as oxycontin and pain pillers in himself and his friends. His mom, Calif. Rep. Mary Bono Mack, discusses the difficulty in detecting this problem compared to illegal street drugs or alcohol.
Getting Off Percocet Painkillers: How to Do it
People who are addicted claim that they face difficulty in getting off percocet painkiller because its intake makes things feel right.
Alcoholic Personality: Traits and Characteristics
Is there a distinct alcoholic personality? Or are there personality traits that lead one to an addictive behavior? Personality is complicated. Some say we are born with one, others say we are a blank slate. Whether there is a personality at birth, there are still influences in our lives such as our genetics, environmental factors, family of origin and peer groups that contribute to who we become. There are also disease models that say an alcoholic personality is passed down through the family tree.
Alcohol Liver Damage Symptoms
We know that excessive drinking can cause someone to lose their job, family, and friends, but you can also lose your life. Excessive drinking can lead to severe problems for your liver. Alcohol liver damage is a condition that may be caused by excessive drinkers face after years of overindulgence.
Oklahoma Drug Rehab Centers
Oklahoma drug rehab centers provide a variety of services to those that are addicted to alcohol or drugs. In Oklahoma, methamphetamine and cocaine are the prevalent throughout the state, however heroin use is low. The drugs of choice are Cocaine and marijuana. Sadly, Oklahoma will lose 85 residents to alcohol related deaths every month [...]
Celebrities and Prescription Drugs: Jeremy London
We regularly read about celebrities and drug addiction issues. Lately, there have been a lot of news stories involving prescription overdoses and abuse. Some have led to death including sadly Corey Haim, Heath Ledger and of course Anna Nichol Smith. In the news today I see Jeremy London has been mentioned for getting help for his addiction to prescribed meds.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Addictions
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PSTD, is a scary illness for those who have it as well as for those who watch their loved one suffer with it. It is the result of mental damage after experience a distressing event. The severe anxiety that comes with the disorder is only one part of it.
Encouragement and Hope for Addiction Problems
Sometimes you can feel like you are repeating the same cycle over and over again. You get sober or clean for a while, then something triggers things and you fall back down. Remember, you were able to stay alcohol or drug-free for a period of time.
Help to Overcome Cocaine Addiction: How Do You Do It
Cocaine has been used across a wide spectrum of people. Everyone from high collar executives to the crack head in the streets has used cocaine. It’s highly addictive properties make it a frightening drug and users will exhibit erratic behavior
Can You Get Fired While in Drug Rehab
The FMLA doesn’t protect a person’s behavior while intoxicated. It only protects the time in an inpatient rehab program
Georgia Drug Rehabilitation: Rehab and Recovery
Drug abuse is becoming a major epidemic in the United States. This is happening everywhere, including Georgia. Because it is in a central location, many illegal substances are prevalent in this area.
Choosing a Halfway House: Is It Right for You
A halfway house is often used after someone has completed an inpatient rehabilitation facility program for abuse of drugs or alcohol. Choosing a halfway house can be an essential next step in reinforcing the techniques and strategies learned from the 30 day program. Halfway houses are also used by those who have been sober for awhile, but have found that they have difficulty remaining so.
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