Substance addiction takes a toll on the lives of individuals who are affected, but the harm that it causes does not end there. Addition to drugs or alcohol causes upheaval, even heartache, to families and communities. Drug and alcohol rehab offers individuals who are suffering from substance addiction a path forward to long-term recovery. Addiction is a disease and one that is not associated with any particular cure. The only way individuals can manage it and regain control of their lives is through abstinence. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction, your area drug and alcohol rehab can help.

Addiction, Compulsion, and Why You Need Treatment

Many people suffering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol have the mistaken belief that they can control their problem. One problem with this notion, however, is that it is not merely a problem. Substance addiction is a disease. In fact, it is known to medical practitioners as a chronic brain lapsing disorder that is governed by a sense of compulsion. In spite of the harm that alcohol or drugs do to the individual's life and health, they feel a strong compulsion to use these substances--and will to the extent that they can eventually wreck their lives, sabotage their health, and even cause death.

In short, people who suffer from substance addiction are unable to control their problem. Once addiction sets in with its physical, mental, and behavioral dependencies, it has become a medical condition that requires treatment. Drug and alcohol rehabs offer the best available help for individuals struggling with this condition.

Signs and Symptoms of Substance Addiction

Although specific types of drugs can cause specific side effects, there are some general signs and symptoms of addiction to be on the lookout for. Substance addiction can cause the following signs and symptoms in sufferers:

Experiencing problems at school or work Suffering financial problems Mood swings Taking more of the used substance to get a similar effect Feeling urges to use the drug even at inopportune times of day Wanting to have a supply of the substance Feeling like you have to take the substance regularly or each day Driving or engaging in other high-risk behaviors like sharing needles or having unprotected sex Withdrawing from family and friends Spending time with other people who abuse alcohol or drugs Failing to stop using even when you want to Continuing to abuse the substance even when it leads to serious consequences Experiencing withdrawal symptoms

If you experience these signs and symptoms, you should consider visiting a drug and alcohol rehab to get personalized treatment. These symptoms are likely to worsen as addiction tends to be a progressive disease; it is certainly a chronic one. Without treatment, the risk to one's health continues to be great. Plus, there is always the risk of overdose. In recent years, overdose rates have dramatically increased in cities across the U.S. because of the opioid crisis.

How to Locate a Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Finding a drug and alcohol rehab is easy using our service. There are high-quality drug and alcohol rehabs located throughout the country. Many people also get help locating an addiction treatment center by discussing their condition with their health-care provider. Doctors and hospitals network with local and regional addiction treatment centers. They can typically recommend one the suit their patients' needs. In fact, if you have a condition like dual diagnosis, they can also help you find a specialized rehab to help you manage both conditions. Our service can also help you find a treatment center that suits your needs.

How to Choose a Drug Treatment Rehab

There are various types of drug treatment centers to choose from today. There are inpatient and outpatient treatment centers that can help you manage your addiction to drugs or alcohol. While many treatment centers provide treatment for men and women of any age, others may specialize in the treatment of either men or women. Some cater to certain age demographics such as teens or seniors. Depending on your substance addiction, certain centers may be better for your treatment.

* Inpatient Treatment Centers: these centers feature inpatient rehab. Inpatient treatment programs typically last 30, 60, or even 90 days. Some people may only stay a short time in treatment, 15 days for instance. Others may require long-term care that may last upwards of twelve months. Individuals may prefer an inpatient center as it enables them to focus entirely on their recovery. Serious addictions generally do require at least some inpatient treatment.

* Outpatient Treatment Centers: Outpatient rehab centers feature treatment sessions during the day. Afterward, recovering individuals return to their homes. This type of treatment may not be ideal for addiction sufferers who are still very vulnerable to relapse. People with support at home and who want to continue working or caring for their families may find that this type of option suits their plans better. Your doctor may help you decide which is best for your particular situation.

What Happens When You Enter Drug and Alcohol Rehab?

Many people are understandably nervous about entering a drug treatment center. Knowing what to expect, however, may alleviate some of the anxiety associated with beginning one's recovery journey. When you enter an addiction treatment, you will meet with an addiction specialist. You need to be assessed so that the ideal treatments can be recommended. Blood and urine tests let health-care providers know what substances you are dependent on and what type of therapy you can benefit from. Remember, these medical caregivers do not judge; their goal is simply to find the best plan for you to achieve recovery.

Medically Assisted Detox

Medical detox is the process by which a person is weaned of the addictive substance. Traditionally, this process is known as the period in which the individual "gets clean." Medical detox targets the addiction's physical aspect. It does not address the psychological dependency associated with substance addiction. Unfortunately, many people have mistakenly left rehab after detox only to relapse. It's essential to complete a treatment program in its entirety in order to have the best chance for successful disease management.

During detox, individuals do typically experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may be mild, but if they escalate in intensity, healthcare providers will deliver medications or treatments to reduce their severity. Some common withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, tremors, sweating, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and headache. Detox may last anywhere from three days to a couple weeks. The time frame is largely dependent on the individual's chemistry and the length of time they've been addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Remember, medical detox can also address the physical side of substance addiction. Unfortunately, many people still experience cravings for the addictive substance after detox. Moreover, it's typically the psychological and behavioral triggers that lead to relapse. Addressing these is the key to long-term sobriety.

Post-Detox Treatment

Many of today's addiction treatment centers feature evidence-based therapies to treat addiction. After medical detox, you can expect to participate in both individual and group counseling sessions. As expected, individual sessions will be tailored to your situation. Group sessions are led by a therapist. Each session may have a different focus related to the recovery journey. Many people find both to be extremely helpful and supportive. However, traditional therapies are not the only route to disease management.

Alternative Addiction Treatments

Many drug and alcohol rehabs now offer alternative therapies in combination with traditional offerings. Treatments like art therapy, music therapy, equine therapy, and restorative yoga, for example, have been shown to promote disease management. Our service can help you find a rehab that offers one or several of these treatment programs. Additionally, many rehabs now feature holistic therapies too. With offerings like nutrition, fitness, group trips, and support groups, treatment center programs are targeting the whole individual in order to best help them on their journey.

Relapse Prevention and Aftercare

Once you complete your treatment program, you may still need and simply want on-going care. Some recovering individuals participate in aftercare programs for a short time while others attend indefinitely. Aftercare offers ongoing support for people who are managing an addiction. Counseling, 12-step programs, and support groups can help people more easily transition back to their lives and may provide help when times become challenging. Managing an addiction alone, even after treatment, can be hard, but with the support from aftercare programs, people can get the ongoing help they need to maintain their recovery journey and avoid relapse.

Don't Put off Treatment

Overdose rates suggest that far too many people are ignoring the signs and symptoms of their addiction. An overdose can happen at any time. Moreover, serious health complications can occur at any time. The sooner you enter a drug and alcohol rehab, the sooner you can protect your health and heal from your condition. We can help you locate an addiction treatment center near you. We can also help you find one that accepts your insurance or offers other financing options. Don't wait to stop addiction in its tracks. You don't have to hit rock bottom to get help. You don't have to give up even if you've relapsed. Treatment takes time, so the time to begin is now.