Addiction Treatment Options for Loved Ones
With nationwide trends on addiction pointing upwards for many behaviors & substances, one thing remains constant: it is almost impossible for an individual with a behavioral or drug addiction to overcome their dependence without some form of professional help. The best way to get that help is by entering into an addiction treatment center. Unfortunately, getting the individual into addiction treatment might fall on the shoulders of friends and family who care enough about the individual to step outside their “comfort zone” and helping place that person into rehab.
In order to do so, many people will hold an intervention. An addiction intervention is a gathering in which friends, family or co-workers (with the assistance of a professional interventionist) talk openly and honestly with the individual in question in an effort to show them the depth of their addiction. The end goal of every intervention is to take the individual to a drug rehab center where they can get the help they so desperately need.
But what options to loved ones have in terms of addiction treatment? The following information provides an introduction to the different types of drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs - and what the individual can expect once they complete the admissions process.
Different Types of Addiction Treatment Programs
There are two primary addiction treatment formats that everyone should be familiar with: residential and outpatient.
A residential addiction treatment program has the individual moving into the drug rehab or treatment center full-time. Residential programs are the best solution for individuals who need to remove themselves from a destructive or counter-productive environment in order to focus fully on their recovery from drug addiction. These programs can last anywhere from thirty days to a full year depending upon the severity of the individual’s condition. During this time, friends and loved ones can play an important role - visiting the individual to provide support or taking part in family drug counseling to help heal emotional wounds and learn how they can help with the continued recovery of their family member.
Outpatient drug addiction treatment programs are those in which the individual attends treatment during the day, but returns home each evening when their counseling or detox sessions are complete. Outpatient drug rehab is a good choice for those individuals who could benefit from the daily support of their family, friends or other members of their support network. It is also an appropriate choice for recovering addicts who need to maintain responsibilities at work, home or school during addiction treatment.
What to Expect When a Loved One is in Rehab for Addiction Treatment
There are three major components that almost all drug rehabilitation programs share (both residential and outpatient). Understanding these components - detox, counseling and aftercare - can help ease the mind of loved ones and provide insight into how drug rehab will help them turn their life around.
Detox. Drug detoxification is often first step in the rehab process. This is the process of allowing harmful drug toxins to leave the system so that the individual can gain the stability required to continue on with the remainder of treatment.
Counseling. Counseling addresses the psychological component of drug treatment - helping the individual understand the root causes of their addiction and learn the life-strategies required to live a clean and sober life.
Aftercare. Aftercare programs help the individual maintain sobriety once the drug addiction treatment program has ended and ease the transition back into daily life. Common aftercare programs include 12-step groups such as Narcotics Anonymous, follow-up counseling and time spent in a sober living facility.
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