Addiction is classified as a disease that requires the assistance of a professional substance abuse rehabs and facilities to help overcome. The drug addiction epidemic that is present in the United States is at jaw-dropping proportions which means there needs to be help available for those struggling with addiction. Since addiction is a chronic illness, it has the ability to sneak back into the lives of those who have been in recovery, even if they have been sober for years. Addiction is a tricky and progressive disease that needs the help of treatment programs in order to fully and successfully overcome.

The length of time that you will stay in substance abuse rehabs varies depending on several factors as well as what sort of treatment program you are attending. Those who are attending inpatient or residential treatment will be required to live on the facility grounds for the duration of their stay. This could range anywhere between 30 days and 90 days. Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, requires patients to attend treatment programming throughout the day and reside at their personal home or a sober house overnight.

What Substance Abuse Rehabs Are Like

Patients wonder what a rehab facility is like, as they intend on spending time here, they want to do what the facility offers. Rehab facilities off various rooms where different types of therapy and counseling sessions will take place. They also typically offer an area for patients to sit down and enjoy lunch or a snack as well as recreational rooms that may offer games. Depending on the rehab center, outdoor areas may also be offered where patients can enjoy leisure activities between their treatment programming when they have some spare time.

Types of Addiction Treatment Programs

Patients will not always attend the same programs. Since each individual and their struggles are different, not every patient will endure the same counseling. Let's take a look at some of the therapies offered at different substance abuse rehabs.

Group Therapy: Group therapy is a type of counseling technique that focuses on patients learning from other patients. Usually taking place in a circle-style setting, patients can share their stories of struggles and successes as it relates to their addiction. Individual Therapy: This is a one-on-one style treatment method where patients will sit down with a therapist and discuss any sort of personal issues or struggles that they are going through. The therapist will advise them on how to help manage their struggles which are all part of the recovery process. Patients will usually meet with their therapist for individual counseling several times per week. Behavioral Therapy: This type of treatment works to help train individuals to change their attitudes regarding drug or alcohol abuse. This treatment variety has proven to be very effective in those who are serious about obtaining sobriety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a popular type of this therapy which helps to prevent relapse in the future. By correcting certain actions, patients can disassociate a behavior with addiction. Medically Assisted Detox: This type of treatment focuses on weaning the body off of any sort of drugs or alcohol that is in the patient's system. It is the first step of most treatment programs and lasts approximately one-week long. Ridding the body of these harmful substances is necessary in order to continue on in the program that is laid out for the patient. It will allow the patient to not only have their body free of toxic substances, but it will also give them the mental clarity needed to begin treatment on the right foot. Relapse Prevention/Aftercare Programs: It's important that patients attend aftercare programs and relapse prevention programs after they have completed their time in rehab to ensure they do not relapse in the future.

After a patient evaluation has been completed, patients will get a better understanding of what sort of treatment program they are going to endure throughout their time in rehab. An individual who has been drinking for ten years will not go through the same rehab program as someone who has been abusing marijuana for one year. These factors play a crucial role in the treatment program being offered at substance abuse rehabs. The specialists that work at the number of substance abuse rehabs will give you a better and more detailed idea of the treatment program that you will be going through.

How to Know if You Require Rehabilitation

Sometimes individuals will make up an excuse to convince themselves that they do not have an addiction or a problem with drugs or alcohol. If you suspect that you or a loved one may have an issue with drugs or alcohol, ask yourself some of these questions:

Do you get angry when plans surrounding drug and alcohol use are canceled? Do you crave a particular drug or alcohol? Do you drink and get behind the wheel of a car? Do you skip work or school classes to get high or drunk? You do not have any interest in former hobbies You have a new social circle that you associate with

If any of these sounds like you, it may mean that you have a substance abuse issue that needs immediate attention. It's time to consider entering one of the numerous substance abuse rehabs across the nation so that you can work to overcome your addiction to drugs or alcohol.

Opening up about your struggles to a therapist or counselor is the best way in which to overcome your struggles with addiction. These professionals offer insight into how you can learn to manage your addiction and urge to use so that you can remain drug and alcohol-free. By learning coping mechanisms and trigger management skills, patients will be able to enter society in a more confident fashion. By changing your attitude toward drug use and learning more productive ways to deal with your addiction, you will have a successful recovery.

How are Peer Support Groups Beneficial?

Many patients who attend treatment benefit from peer support groups. This type of treatment involves gaining insight and support from others who are going through the same struggles as yourself. This may involve group therapy as well as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). It is proven that when patients feel connected to one another on a personal level or on a personal struggle, that they tend to open up more and realize that they are not the only ones who are struggling.

Although there is no cure for addiction, there are treatments and ways to manage this disease. Through therapies and counseling, patients can look forward to a future that is free from substance abuse. There is also a selection of alternative therapist that patients can partake in such as equine therapy. This type of therapy utilizes the benefits of therapy animals in order to help patients through their journey toward recovery.

Mental Illness and Addiction

Mental illness is classified as a psychological condition that affects an individual's ability to function normally. With medication and treatment, though, mental illness can be under control and properly managed. Many people who suffer from a drug or alcohol addiction, also suffer from an undiagnosed or underlying mental illness as well which could be the reason why they are addicted.

Some types of mental illnesses are:

ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Clinical Depression Multiple Personality Disorder Mood Disorders Anxiety Eating disorder And many more

If you suspect that you may be suffering from addiction as a result of your mental illness, a dual diagnosis treatment program is necessary. Through dual diagnosis treatment, patients will be treated on both a psychological level (their mental illness) as well as a physical and mental level (the addiction). By treating both conditions, patients will be stabilized and able to better carry on in their sobriety with success.

Through a patient examination that is conducted by an addiction professional/specialist, patients will go through a series of tests and evaluations in order to determine if they do or do not have a mental illness. This will give a solid foundation as to what sort of treatment program is necessary.

You should never blame yourself for your addiction or your mental health problem as these things occur by no fault of your own. It could be a result of a family history of mental illness and addiction or perhaps a result of genetics and various environmental factors. Whatever the case may be, getting the issues under control is imperative to living a happier life.

Getting the Necessary Help

You must seek help for your addiction and mental health illness from one of the numerous substance abuse rehabs nationwide. If you do not get help, your condition will gradually get worse and worse. Remember that this disease of addiction is life-threatening if it goes untreated. It's time to get the courage to pick up the phone and get in touch with a rehabilitation center. They have your best interest at heart and want to see you be a productive member of society once again. Get help now.