Substance addiction is a disease that affects many families and communities across the nation. For individual sufferers, however, it is a lifelong condition for which there is no cure. As ominous as this may sound, substance addiction can be successfully managed with treatment at a drug rehab center. Today's addiction treatment centers offer many types of therapies that can help sufferers achieve recovery and sobriety. If you or a loved one is living with addiction, it's time to move beyond its grip. Addiction rehab can help.

Substance Addiction Overview

Addiction is a chronic brain-lapsing disorder. It is governed by a feeling of compulsion that sufferers have difficulty controlling. Addiction involves physical, mental and behavioral dependencies. The goal of treatment is to target these dependencies so they can be overcome and the addiction managed. Substance addiction affects teens, the elderly, and people in between. Even infants may be born with dependencies owing to the mother's addiction. With overdose deaths rising, it's so important that people realize that their lives and health are at great risk. Treatment at a drug rehab center is the key to disease management.

How Do I Know If I'm Addicted?

There are various signs and symptoms associated with addiction. If you exhibit these signs, there's a strong likelihood you are struggling with an abuse problem or a full-blown substance addiction. In either case, treatment can help. Some common signs of substance addiction include:

Withdrawing from friends and family Drinking or using drugs in secret Drinking or using drugs on a routine basis Using more of a substance to achieve the same effect Trying to quit and failing Attempting to obtain a stockpile of the addictive substance Suffering withdrawal symptoms if the substance is not used

You may be addicted if you experience signs and symptoms like these. Many people who have an addiction will experience health disturbances as well as significant disturbances to everyday lives. Some addiction sufferers lose their jobs or fail in their schooling. Others suffer financially. These disturbances go hand in hand with substance addiction.

Addiction and Its Risks

The big risk with substance addiction is overdose or, in the case of alcoholism, blood poisoning. Deaths from overdose are increasing throughout the nation. People don't know when the amount they take will be the dose that pushes them over the edge. There is no warding off the risk of relapse except getting into treatment and putting an end to drug and alcohol abuse. Of course, the risks of these dangerous substances don't end there.

Addiction can profoundly impact a person's physical health in multiple ways. Substance addiction carries an elevated risk for organ failure, the development of cirrhosis, liver failure, cardiovascular disease, and the development of some cancers. Substance addiction also reduces the ability of the immune system to optimally fight off disease. People with addiction may be at increased risk for diseases like hepatitis, HIV, or tuberculosis.

Substance addiction can also impact an individual's mental health. Substance addiction can trigger conditions like anxiety and depression. Acute cases of abuse can lead to psychosis, which may be temporary or permanent in nature. Many addiction sufferers do have mental health conditions--as many as a third. When these conditions occur together, the person is said to have a dual diagnosis. Simultaneous treatments are essential for successfully managing both conditions.

Finding a Drug Rehab Center

It may feel overwhelming to find a drug rehab center when you are struggling with your addiction. Our service can help you find one that is located near you and offers the treatments you are interested in. There are both inpatient and outpatient treatment centers where you can get help. Many doctors also have referral networks, so they may be able to recommend a treatment center where you can get help.

How Can I Afford Treatment?

Today, there are luxury treatment centers and affordable treatment centers. Some rehabs offer inpatient therapies and outpatient treatment programs. Some may only offer one or the other. Some people may require long-term care that's in excess of 6 months. Many treatment plans last 30, 60, or 90 days. These plans can seem expensive, but many insurance providers do cover them. Some addiction treatment centers accept Medicaid or Medicare. Others may feature financing options. Our service can help you locate a treatment center that is within your budget.

Inpatient or Outpatient Therapy: What's Best?

Inpatient addiction treatment is typically considered ideal for many addiction sufferers because it allows individuals to focus entirely on their recovery with no distractions or interruptions. These places are designed to immerse individuals in treatment. Outpatient drug rehab centers are also designed to help manage their addiction, but they may not be ideal for everyone. For instance, people who are at high risk for relapse may find that an inpatient program is more helpful earlier on in their recovery process. People who have spent time in an inpatient program may transition to outpatient treatment. Individuals who want to continue to care for their families, work, or attend school may also prefer an outpatient paradigm.

Addiction Treatment: What Happens First?

The first step in the addiction treatment process is an assessment. Addiction specialists must ascertain the nature of the addiction so they can recommend a course of treatment. A urine test and blood test may be required. After the assessment, treatment can begin. You can also ask as many questions as you need to about treatment and your condition.

Medical Detox

After your evaluation, you can expect to begin medical detox. This process involves the careful weaning of the addictive substance. This process may last a few days but can stretch into a couple weeks. During detox, individuals will experience withdrawal symptoms, but these symptoms may be reduced in severity with medical treatments and therapies. Common types of withdrawal symptoms that people experience are tremors, chills, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and depression. Treatment can alleviate these symptoms substantially.

It's never a good idea to detox alone because withdrawal symptoms can escalate in severity and trigger health emergencies. Some complications can be life-threatening. Thoughts of suicide can occur as well as heart irregularities and seizures. If you are ready to detox, the safest place to do it is at an addiction rehab center.

Post-Detox Treatments

Medical detox only targets the physical aspect of addiction. Its mental and behavioral dependencies are just as powerful. These dependencies can be managed with addiction treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy. Counseling in individual and group sessions allows people to explore the triggers and issues that led them to abuse alcohol or drugs. Counseling also addresses how individuals can transform their lives to become more conducive to sobriety and healthy living. Addiction treatment centers feature trained therapists and counselors who are experts in the field of addiction medicine. They have the training needed to work with people who are recovering from a substance addiction.

Alternative Addiction Treatment

Conventional therapies like counseling do help many individuals achieve recover; however, the conventional route isn't the only route. Many people benefit from alternative addiction therapies. Art therapy, music therapy, moral reconation therapy, and restorative yoga are just a few alternative therapies that can help people recover. Therapies help individuals ward off relapse and learn to cope with their triggers in healthy ways.

Aftercare

Sometimes a month-long treatment program simply isn't enough therapy for individuals. Too often, however, insurance plans only cover a portion of treatment or month-long treatments. Aftercare programs like 12-step programs or ongoing long-term counseling can provide people with the continued support they need during that first year of recovery when they are still so vulnerable to cravings and relapse. Aftercare programs can be found throughout the country. Many are associated with drug relapse centers or community groups. If you feel like you need ongoing support as you transition from your rehab to your life, aftercare is a resource you don't want to overlook. You can rely on these programs for a short period of time or indefinitely.

Sober Living Programs

Many individuals are apprehensive about returning to their homes once they've spent time in rehab. Their homes may not be supportive or may be filled with temptations and triggers to use. A sober living community is a safe place where many recovering individuals choose to reside for a period of time. These facilities provide aftercare programming as well as living accommodations. Naturally, these are drug and alcohol-free settings. People who want to live a healthy life away from their triggers may wish to live in one of these facilities for six months or even up to one-year long.

If you don't want to enroll in a treatment program, it's understandable, but not acceptable. The alternative is increasingly diminished health and reduced quality of life. A drug rehab center can help you get your life back on track. With addiction treatment, you can manage the worst aspects of your disease and get to a point where it fades into your past. Your new life awaits. Contact a rehab near you and get the help you need today.