The Key Principles of Effective Drug Rehab

When looking for a drug rehabilitation center, there are many things to take into account. Perhaps the most important decision is whether to attend inpatient or outpatient drug rehabilitation center, which depends on the severity of a person’s substance abuse issues. In general, individuals are recommended to attend residential rehab treatment which is broadly regarded as being the most effective type of drug rehabilitation program for achieving long-term recovery.

According to NIDA, there are some key principles of effective rehab and here we take a closer look at ten of them:

1. Addiction is a chronic illness that affects the way the brain functions and in turn, a person’s behavior. The illness can be treated although addiction is considered a relapsing condition where the risk of returning to substance abuse persists long after completing a treatment program. A common characteristic of addiction is that an individual will continue to abuse substances even though their lives are falling apart as a result.
2. There is no “one size fits all” approach to treating addiction and this is because it affects people in very different ways. Treatment programs should be devised for the specific needs of the patient and the nature of their substance abuse. It has been shown that matching treatment to a client’s individual problems is more likely to result in better recovery outcomes. Drug rehabilitation facilities should enable people to return to productive roles in the family, workplace and society.
3. It is important that treatment is easily accessible and that individuals enter into a care program as soon after accepting they need help as possible. It has been shown that people can often relapse if they do not receive treatment when they first reach out for it. As with all other chronic conditions, people with addiction are always advised to get treatment as soon as they recognize they have a problem to increase the chances of a positive outcome.
4. It is important that treatment meets all the needs of the individual in order to be effective. This means addressing medical, psychological, social, career and legal issues associated with substance abuse. Treatment should also fully take into account the individual’s gender, age, ethnicity and cultural beliefs.
5. The duration of an addiction treatment program is crucial in determining recovery outcomes. Individuals should be assessed when they enter a drug rehabilitation center so that a personalized program can be devised to meet the specific needs of the individual. According to research, the optimum duration for a drug rehabilitation program is at least three months, with the best outcomes associated with longer periods of time in rehab.
6. The use of individual, family, group and behavioral therapy is a key aspect of effective rehab treatment. It should be recognized that the effects of a person’s substance abuse can be far-reaching within a family and that there are others requiring therapy to allow them to heal. There are also rehab for couples in which partners can help each other. Individuals in rehab draw enormous benefits from individual and group therapy as they are provided with a platform for expression within a non-judgmental environment. Behavioral therapy is also invaluable in addressing the underlying issues driving addictive behavior to empower clients in rehab to make healthier choices in recovery.
7. Effective rehab continues after a person has left a facility and aftercare is often integral to recovery success. The needs of patients evolve throughout treatment and the best drug rehabilitation facilities continually monitor and adapt the services offered in order to meet their changing needs. It is important that this level of personalized care is maintained from detox, through rehab and into recovery for the best recovery potential.
8. It is not uncommon for people struggling with substance abuse to also be dealing with another mental health disorder, known as dual diagnosis. The best drug rehabilitation programs are designed to address both conditions separately, while at the same time in order to achieve overall wellbeing. Specialist dual-diagnosis treatment is essential as mental health conditions such as depression or PTSD often drive addictive behavior. Although this presents more challenges in treatment, it is vital that all health issues associated with addiction are addressed effectively in drug rehabilitation centers.
9. Supervised detox is always recommended for people with substance abuse issues. This is mainly because it is impossible to predict the severity of withdrawal as there are so many factors to take into account. A person’s age, physical health condition, the substance they’ve abused and for how long and their family history all have a bearing on how difficult withdrawal from drugs and/or alcohol will be. Due to the fact that some withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening, it is always advisable to enter into supervised detox where they can be effectively managed.
10. It is not essential for an individual to enter into drug rehabilitation centers voluntarily for treatment to be effective. In many cases the loved ones of an addicted person will organize treatment after an intervention. It is not unusual for addicts to be in denial they have a problem or that their behaviors are negatively affecting others. An intervention is often the first time they are forced to see themselves in the eyes of their family, making them powerful events with high success rates.