Are you struggling with drug or alcohol addiction? Nearly 22 million American citizens are currently struggling with addiction and substance abuse. Substance Abuse Rehab can help individuals make a full recovery from the strong grip of addiction. Deciding to take the bold step and ask for help is one of the most important things that you can do for yourself. It means that you are one step closer to leading a healthy and productive life. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, it's time to get immediate help.

It's important that when you commit to attending substance abuse rehab, that you go through the entire program. When patients successfully complete their addiction treatment program, they will have a greater chance of achieving long-lasting sobriety, having fewer issues with the law, and be better able to cultivate lasting and meaningful relationships. Once you achieve sobriety, new and more promising doors begin to open for you.

Stages of Substance Abuse Rehab

Treatment for substance abuse occurs in various stages. Typically speaking, the very first stage of treatment after the intake process has been completed is the medically assisted detox phase. During medical detox, the patient will be monitored and carefully watched by a medical professional to ensure that the patient is responding well to the process. Medical detox addresses the physical addiction and works to get the patient off of the substances of abuse in a controlled setting. The process can last up to one-week long. Once this stage of the substance abuse rehab program has been completed, patients will begin in their inpatient or outpatient treatment program.

Depending on various factors such as what sort of substance the patient is addicted to, will determine whether inpatient treatment is needed or outpatient treatment is needed. If you are severely addicted to drugs or alcohol and have been abusing substances for many years, inpatient treatment is recommended. Patients will reside at the facility for the duration of their treatment which can last up to 90 days long. During this time, individuals will attend therapy and counseling throughout the day and reside in their bedrooms in the evenings. The next day they will continue in their treatment program, working with staff members and psychiatrists.

If you have a less severe addiction, inpatient treatment may be the type of substance abuse rehab you require. During inpatient treatment, patients will attend treatment throughout the day and reside at home or at a sober house in the evenings. This schedule will continue for anywhere between one month and three months in length. Patients will go through one-on-one counseling as well as group therapy during their time in inpatient treatment. During this time, patients will also go through various psychiatric evaluations in order to determine if there are any underlying causes of addiction.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Substance Abuse Rehab

Part of any addiction treatment program is looking the addiction on both a psychological and physical level. This can help lay a solid foundation for recovery. Many times, the root cause of addiction is a result of an underlying mental illness. Almost 50 percent of those who with an addiction to drugs and alcohol also suffer from a mental health problem. Some mental health issues that are responsible for addiction are:

Anxiety Depression OCD ADHD Bipolar Disorder Schizophrenia And more

If you feel as though you may have a co-occurring mental health disorder that is responsible for your addiction, it's important that you get help now. Through dual diagnosis treatment, both the mental health issue and the addiction can be treated and managed. Many substance abuse rehab facilities offer dual diagnosis treatment which is imperative to look for in a center if you have a mental health illness.

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

Many people confuse their compulsive drinking and drug use as simply a bad habit that they can break if they really wanted to. Unfortunately, many times, it is full-on addiction and not just a bad habit. Take a look at these various signs and symptoms of addiction:

Getting angry when you can't get a hold of drugs or alcohol Spending all of your money on sustaining your addiction Distancing from former friends and family Getting fired from a job or dropping out of school Adopting new friends with addictions as well Not taking care of yourself as you once did Putting drug use and drinking as a priority over your responsibilities

If you answered 'yes' to even one of these signs and symptoms, you may need to seek help from a substance abuse rehab. The longer you wait to seek help, the worse your addiction will get. Addiction is a very progressive disease that will continue to get worse so you must get help now before you dig yourself deeper into addiction.

Part of attending treatment at a substance abuse rehab is attending various group therapy classes. This type of therapy takes place in a group setting where patients can share their various stories about their struggles and how they are working on recovering. Other patients in the group can then learn from others and apply the same techniques and methods to their own recovery. Having proper peer support has proven to be very effective in those who are working toward long-term recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Everyone is battling the same battle and everyone is looking to obtain the same objective. By working together and helping motivate each other, sobriety can be reached.

Life After Substance Abuse Rehab

Re-entering everyday life post-treatment can be nerve-wracking, to say the least. With your new sober mind, you may be confused about where to begin re-starting your life. It's important that you do not associate with any former friends that you used to hang around with as they may influence you to begin to use drugs or alcohol again. It is far too easy to fall back into the grips of addiction which means you must not be around any sort of 'trigger' post-treatment. It's important that you seek a fulltime job at this time as this will keep you busy throughout the day, allowing you to focus on working toward saving money and working toward a future.

It's highly encouraged that patients also attend relapse prevention classes as well as aftercare programs for several months after treatment has been completed. These types of programs will allow you to stay encouraged throughout your recovery so that you do not get the influence to use again. During these programs, patients will work others through group therapy in order to keep spirits up.

There are many different types of aftercare programs. Some of them are:

Sober living houses Within rehab facilities Therapy and counseling sessions a. Biofeedback therapy b. Holistic therapy c. Cognitive therapy

Support groups (AA and NA) 12-step groups And more

Since addiction rehab should not be a one-size-fits-all approach, it's important that you seek a substance abuse rehab program that offers a more personalized approach to recovery.

Who Requires Treatment?

It's important to ask yourself whether or not your substance abuse has become out of control. If you can no longer control your ability to moderate your drinking or you are abusing your prescription or illicit drugs, it may be time to get help. If you suspect that a close friend or family member is abusing drugs or alcohol, take a close look at their actions. Are they becoming increasingly secretive about their drinking and drug use? Are they lying about how much they have consumed? If the answer is yes, the individual may require addiction treatment.

A person who is suffering from a drug or alcohol problem may exhibit these symptoms:

Mood swings Dilated pupils Unusual behavior Neglecting their appearance Weight loss No interest in former hobbies

If this sounds like you or someone close to you, it may be time to seek help for your addiction. Professional treatment at a quality recovery facility is essential when wanting to overcome your addiction with success. Without help, you run the risk of continuing down a very dangerous path; one that will never a promising outcome for you.

Treatment may require a longer program for you depending on the severity of your addiction. There are countless benefits to a longer treatment program as it means more in-depth counseling and therapy and a better chance of succeeding in recovery.

Getting Help Today

It's time to get help from a substance abuse rehab today so that you can move on from your addiction and begin to lead a more content and honest life. Admitting that you have a problem is the single most difficult thing that you can do, but it also means that you have come to terms with the fact that you need help in order to overcome your struggles. You must be willing to go through the entire treatment program in order to obtain the best results, as quitting or giving up will never render the best outcome. You are capable of overcoming your addiction; get help now before this life-threatening disease takes complete control of your life.