Drug rehab is a medical treatment approach for drug addiction. Addiction specialists usually anchor this process which ranges from counseling to re-learning key coping mechanisms. The sole aim of these activities is to help discover, diagnose and treat drug addiction.
For this article, we talked to Bryan Alzate, CEO of California’s United Recovery Project. As an addiction specialist, he is a skilled professional who helps patients overcome their dependencies. In their center, addiction psychiatrists and addiction medicine physicians work together to create a relaxing, nurturing environment for those who want to go sober for the long-term.
What Is Drug Rehab?
Drug rehab monitors recovering addicts to prevent a relapse into the habit. There are three phases in drug rehab. These phases are detox, therapy, and aftercare.
Detox is used for people with substance addiction. To get rid of the habit, there would be a need to eliminate traces of the substance. In this case, the addictive specialist would need to be involved. They would ask essential questions. After which, vital tests will be done. Then, the rehab process will commence. People with behavioral addiction will not need to detox, unless a dual diagnosis is present. Usually, though, people with behavioral addictions will have to move past the detoxification process and into therapy as there is no physical dependence.
Therapy, which is what rehab is about, involves the dialog of addiction specialists with people who are addicted to substances. In this phase, they discuss their relationship with the addictive substance or behavior. Hence, producing a chance to handle how they view the addiction and teach them how to live without it.
Aftercare is a phase that occurs after therapy has been completed. It helps to support people through recovery once they leave the rehab center.
The Dangers Quitting without Rehab Holds
It is possible to quit substance addiction without rehab. However, it is very dangerous. Often, people shy away from rehab because of several grounds. Such reasons could include stigma, job duties, cost, a wrong view of how bad their addiction is, and others. As noble as such reasons could sound, rehab is still the best choice.
Quitting drugs or alcohol addiction without the assistance of a rehab center is extremely dangerous. Moreover, it could pose serious threats to your health. These threats are pendant on different factors and could vary from mild to severe. Such threats are known as withdrawal symptoms. They could begin as early as six hours after withdrawal or sooner. Withdrawal symptoms could include seizures, dizziness, and organ damage. In acute cases, it could lead to death.
This makes it crucial to speak with your GP, an addiction specialist, your therapist or another medical professional. By assessing the state of the habit, they would safely suggest how to detach from the substance without harmful effects. They would also walk you through recovery.
Choosing the Right Rehab
A crucial factor in your choice of rehab is the location. While it’s easier to opt for one near your familiar environs, it may not be the safest choice. Moving from your normal domain to a new one is necessary to make healing effective. This would help to break the connection between you and the old life.
Having regarded the option of location, you need to consider whether the rehab is gender-specific or mixed. Drug addiction often numbs the desire for intimacy and a relationship. However, when these feelings return, they could tamper with the rehab process, especially for a young person.
It is also crucial to assess the rehab’s ability to cater to various lifestyle concerns. A lifestyle considerate treatment center could easily make a positive difference in each person’s recovery. For example, an LGBTQ+ or physically disabled person will feel more relaxed with people of the same lifestyle.
In choosing, also consider the rehab’s approach. Different rehabs use different methods. You want to ensure that your choice aligns with your core values.
Why Inpatient?
Recovering from addiction could be a tricky process. Given this, all the help and support available are needed. Inhouse rehab facilities provide a safe ambiance in which recovery could quickly occur. This is because patients are cut off from possible triggers, and all they have to focus on is recovery.
Another notable benefit of being an inpatient is peer support. Recovery at home or elsewhere may give the patient the impression that he or she is the only one struggling with an addiction. However, getting help alongside other recovering addicts could help in achieving total recovery.
The close monitoring inpatients get could be another reason to consider this option. When the recovery process gets unbearable, there will always be people around to encourage and give a push.
Recovery after Rehab
Recovery from addiction is a life cycle that doesn’t stop after rehab. Post-rehab, one of the things to focus on would be making the routines from rehab a lifestyle. Often, addictions are caused by repeatedly committing specific actions. To break free, it’s crucial to develop new ones. Most rehab centers have routines that they introduce to their members. Recovering addicts should not drop such routines after rehab.
Post-rehab, group meetings are crucial in recovering. Most such groups meet weekly. In these meetings, they discuss hitches, learn and have a good time. Such meetups are vital in guarding yourself against relapse. While doing this, you may need to cut off old friends and affinities that could serve as stressors. Failure to cut such relationships would make the efforts of support groups useless.
Why Trust the Specialists?
Rehab specialists are not out to harm or police you around. They receive unique training that enables them to make your recovery journey as smooth as possible. When specialists are linked to you, your recovery becomes their main goal. As such, they can’t afford to see you hurt or broken. All they care about at that moment is how you can live a good life and return to the optimum state.
Vice-versa, you should focus on opening up and being honest with them about your situation, as they can only help you to the degree you allow them to. When you see your specialist next, warm up to them and tell them all they need to know.
