More than 20 million Americans are living with a substance addiction today and that statistic does not even include tobacco use. Each day, roughly 100 people die as the result of an overdose. Substance addiction is a disease for which there is no cure. With treatment, it may be effectively managed. If you are living with an addiction to a substance such as a prescription painkiller, heroin, or alcohol, you can get help managing your disease at a drug and alcohol treatment center near you. Rehab provides individuals with the professional help they need to achieve long-term recovery.

Why Is Addiction So Hard to Beat?

Addiction is associated with immensely high relapse rates. In fact, individuals addicted to heroin or meth are associated with a relapse rate in excess of 85 percent. Even after "getting clean" and going through medical detox, individuals have a strong likelihood of relapsing unless they get comprehensive treatment that targets more than simply the physical dependency. Substance addiction includes psychological and behavioral dependencies as well as the physical dependency. Each dependency is powerful in its own way. Unless all are treated, these dependencies are likely to lead to relapse.

Addiction Is a Chronic Illness

Substance addiction is a chronic brain-lapsing disease that requires treatment just as other diseases do. For centuries, substance addiction has existed, but it's only been in recent decades that the medical community is unraveling its effects on the brain. In the course of an addiction's development, the chemistry of the brain actually changes. Individuals feel powerfully compelled to use the addictive substance in question in spite of the harm they know it causes themselves and even their families.

The Effects of Substance Addiction on Health

Substance addiction can take a horrific toll on an individual's life. The disease causes individuals to experience both mental and physical health problems. On the mental side, substance addiction can lead to mood swings, irritability, and the development of mental health problems like anxiety and depression. In extreme cases, an acute episode of abuse can lead to psychosis which may be temporary or possibly permanent.

On the physical side, substance addiction can lead to many serious health concerns that include heart disease, the development of some cancers, respiratory problems, skin conditions, organ damage, and organ failure. Addiction weakens the body's immune system and may leave it more vulnerable to infection. People who have a substance addiction sometimes engage in high-risk behaviors like sharing needles during drug use or engaging in unprotected sex. These acts can leave them at increased risk for contracting diseases like HIV and hepatitis. Many people who abuse alcohol or drugs are also more prone to falling and suffering from injuries.

The Effects of Substance Addiction on Life

Certainly, substance addiction wreaks havoc on an individual's physical and mental health. However, it can also harm other aspects of their lives. Many people who have a substance addiction suffer relationship and family problems because of their drinking or drug use. Trust issues often surface because the addicted individual is unable to keep their word when it comes to stopping or limiting their use of an addictive substance. It's not uncommon for people with substance addictions to drain their finances, lose their jobs, or even get into legal trouble. Without treatment, all of these problems can become overwhelming. Fortunately, there are high-quality drug and alcohol treatment centers located around the country that can help.

When Is It Time to Visit and Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center?

There's not a wrong time to visit drug and alcohol treatment centers. In fact, you don't have to have a full-blown addiction to get help with an abuse problem. If you've been abusing alcohol and drugs, you can benefit from treatment as well. Of course, if your abuse of addictive substances has led to dependency, it's definitely important for you to visit an area rehab for assistance. Some common sign and symptoms of alcoholism and drug addiction include:

Drinking or using drugs to alleviate negative emotions Feeling preoccupied with using an addictive substance Ensuring that you have a supply of the substance in question Withdrawing from family and friends Lying to family or friends about your alcohol or drug use Doctor shopping in order to obtain powerful prescription medications Using more of a substance than you intended to Feeling isolated because of your abuse problem Trying to quit and failing Continuing to use a substance even though it is causing you health or other problems Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you don't use

These are common symptoms of an addiction problem. If they occur, you should not diminish or ignore them. If you have these symptoms, you should visit a drug and alcohol treatment center to get evaluated and treated. Remember, addiction will not go away on its own. Through effective treatment at drug and alcohol treatment centers, it can be successfully managed.

How Do I Select an Addiction Treatment Center?

There are certainly many drug and alcohol treatment centers operating across the United States today. Many people choose to attend a local rehab facility for convenience, but other some individuals prefer to obtain treatment in another location. Our service can help you locate the right treatment facility for your needs. Whether you're looking for a rehab near the beach, in the mountains, or one that accepts your insurance plan, we can help you find treatment facilities for you. Additionally, remember that substance addiction is a disease. Your healthcare provider understands that. You can ask your doctor to recommend a drug and alcohol treatment center.

Paying for Addiction Treatment

"I can't afford it," is a common excuse that addiction sufferers offer when they put off getting help. Certainly, there are luxury addiction treatment centers that are extremely expensive. While these centers may offer high-quality care, they are not the only places where individuals can get high-quality treatment for their addiction. Many outstanding drug and alcohol treatment centers accept many different insurance plans. Many also feature payment plans and financing. If you have no income and cannot afford to finance your treatment, you may qualify for Medicaid or other grants that will pay for your addiction treatment. In short, there are affordable treatment plans, and we can help you find a facility that suits your budget.

Initial Addiction Treatment

When you enter an addiction treatment program, you will most likely be evaluated first. Healthcare providers need to know about the substances in your system so they can recommend a course of treatment. After the assessment, you will likely begin medical detox. If you have a mental healthcare issue, as about a third of addiction sufferers do, you may be offered medication to treat your symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Medical detox is the process where you will tackle the physical dependency associated with your addiction. This part of addiction treatment can be challenging as it frequently involves withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting, tremors, chills, profuse sweating, irritability, depression, and cravings. Caregivers will provide you with medications to reduce these symptoms, allowing you to rest and begin your recovery journey. You should never detox alone or outside of a medical facility. Complications--even life-threatening complications--can occur if your withdrawal triggers a health emergency like heart irregularities or seizures. By treatment your withdrawal symptoms, medical caregivers can invariably prevent your symptoms from escalating.

What Happens after Medical Detox?

Medical detox often lasts anywhere from a few days to a couple weeks. Afterward, it's important to begin counseling. Treatments that address the psychological aspects of addiction are offered in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. An inpatient facility allows individuals to keep focused on their treatment without interruption, but an outpatient plan enables them to continue meeting their obligations like work or caring for their families. Which type of plan is right for you? That depends on your addiction and how vulnerable you may feel. If you are at high-risk for relapse even after detox, you might want to continue therapy within the inpatient center. If you have family support and are ready to transition back to your life, the outpatient model might be a good option for you.

Addiction Treatment

Individual and group counseling can help people manage the triggers that have led them to abuse drugs or alcohol. This type of therapy is evidence-based; that means that it has been proven to substantially help individuals manage their addictions. Many drug and alcohol treatment centers also offer many alternative treatment models and programs like art therapy or music therapy that can also support individuals' recovery goals. Many people find that both conventional and alternative therapies offer the kind of help they need to achieve their sobriety.

Addiction will not get better and will likely progress without successful management of the disease. Learning how to manage your substance addiction can be lifesaving and life-changing. Overdose is always a risk. To minimize that risk, you need to enter an addiction treatment facility as soon as you can and put this disease in check. Our service can help you locate the ideal treatment facility and plan for you.