Friday, January 20, 2012

Drug and Alcohol Rehab - An Insight

 


Dependency on drug and alcohol is a serious issue. It not only affects the life of the person, but damages family reputation and often leads to many social problems as well. A person who has an uncontrollable affinity to drug and alcohol like substances can do anything to get what they want. They can commit crime and break all rules and regulations as well. Hence, someone with a bad habit can become a social problem. Punishment is not the right way to treat these patients. They need medical attention and mental support. Drug and alcohol rehab programs can be of immense help. Lets discuss the basic things about rehab programs to understand the process. What is rehab? Rehab is an informal short form of Rehabilitation. The term is used to refer alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation generally. There are many rehab clinics around; the objective of rehabilitation program is to treat the alcoholic and drug obsessed people so that they can get rid of the habit and come back to the normal life without the substances. Inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol rehab centers are there; inpatient centers allow the victims to stay there during treatment. On the other hand, outpatient rehab centers allow the patients to stay at their home and visit the clinic regularly for checkup. If you feel that you or someone else needs a check up regarding drug or alcohol consumption, it is recommended to see a professional or look for rehab clinics in your city. How to understand whether someone needs rehab? Drug consumption is always a bad habit and should be stopped as early as possible. Alcohol consumption when goes beyond control and starts affective the personal and professional life of the victim, it is better to consult an expert. Moreover, such habits are often accompanied by mental obsession, depression, loneliness, sadness, fear, anger and other psychological disorder. If any such symptom is observed, rush the patient to a doctor or drug and alcohol rehab facility.


 

How to choose the best rehab center? Many rehab centers are available out there; sometimes it becomes difficult to choose the best one. Different centers have different types of approaches and different facilities - all are correct. You have to choose the most suitable one. You can talk to the professionals there; know about their treatment methods, techniques and processes. You can contact many such centers and see how good the infrastructure is, whether they have qualified staff, in-house detox and other facilities. Based on these facts you may choose your drug and alcohol rehab clinic. You may also consider the cost of treatment while selecting the clinic. Does the clinic isolate the patient? Not exactly; inpatient centers allow visitors to see the patients - but there are rules regarding this. If the patient is violent, then they may choose to isolate the patient. Other patients are allowed to meet their visitors during the visiting hours and can take phone calls too. However, the rehab centers may have some rules regarding carrying cell phones, laptops etc.check out this page

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Drug and Alcohol Rehab - Aftercare Program

 


 Alcohol addiction is a progressive disease and the chances of addiction relapse are higher even after completing the extensive program. It is a very crucial phase that needs attention and support. It is believed that the process of recovery does not end by completing treatment at the drug and alcohol rehab center but it is only the first step of the process. It is important to provide continuous support to individuals for a healthy recovery and lifetime sobriety. For this, many treatment centers have a specialized program called the aftercare treatment, which is nothing but a beginning to the lifelong process of growth and happiness without even a single shadow of addiction. The aftercare program is as important as the addiction treatment where the individual gets to learn about various strategies and methods that can help him avoid consuming drugs and alcohol after completing the program. Although patients have completed the primary treatment that is a more sensitive treatment they need to participate in aftercare program to increase their chances of success in maintaining abstinence for a long time. The main aim of the aftercare program is to achieve complete recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. The aftercare program at drug and alcohol rehab center usually comprises of weekly sessions in order to provide complete support and care to patients after graduating from the addiction treatment. The sessions include group meetings and discussion forums carried out by expert professionals from the center. The program also consists of personal and group counseling to understand what the patient needs to attain sobriety. Some of the activities used at the center include picnics, daily chores at the facility, games, events like dancing and music and creative activities to keep the individuals involved at all times. The patients also have the option to choose between the inpatient and outpatient treatment for being cured at the facility. Aftercare program can be simply described as a forum where the patients get a chance to explore the obstacles lying in their way and their chances of emerging successful in them. The facility teaches various tricks, methods and strategies to handle day to day issues and avoid any kind of craving and desires. 

 


They also receive feedback and continuing support from the drug and alcohol rehab aftercare program that can help them take every challenge in life. The people who complete the aftercare program are encouraged to attend the alumni meeting and events to always stay connected with the center and feel comfortable whenever they wish to consult. The aftercare program is the follow up of primary program. After completing the program, the client is able to function appropriately using the self-direction plan and is able to take charge of his life again. People can resist craving even after the primary program but their chances of success and sobriety increase many folds by simply participating in the aftercare facility. Besides this they also get assistance in environmental issues, such as vocational rehabilitation, finding right jobs, being insured, securing future, safe housing and reuniting with the happy family.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

9 Reasons Why People Abuse Drugs and Alcohol

 

1. People suffering from anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression or other mental illnesses use drugs and alcohol to ease their suffering. Mental illness is such a burden for some people they will try just about anything to relieve the pain. Drugs or alcohol can temporarily make that person feel 'normal' again, like they remember feeling in the past. Mental illness is scary for the individual experiencing it, so they are afraid to go to a doctor or family member for help and instead turn to drugs or alcohol to try and solve the problem on their own. 2. People see family members, friends, role models or entertainers using drugs and rationalize that they can too. As teenagers and young adults, it's very easy to think that drug and alcohol use can be handled and controlled, especially if they see others they know doing the same thing. It can become easy to rationalize like: 'hey my friend's been doing this for a couple years and he seems fine to me.' Entertainment and music is full of drug references and that can add to the rationalization that drug use is OK sometimes. Individuals with a family history of drug or alcohol abuse are far more likely to develop an addiction than an individual with no family background of addiction. 3. People become bored and think drugs will help. Boredom is a big factor in drug abuse in teens and young adults. People in this age bracket generally don't have bills, jobs and all the stresses that go along with adulthood. So it's easier to become bored and want to try something new and exciting. Drug use is often thought of as a way to escape the mundane world and enter an altered reality. 4. People think drugs will help relieve stress. Our modern world is full of new strains and stresses that humans have never experienced in the past. Although many things in life are now easier than ever, the burdens are also very high. Simply having a family, maintaining a household, and holding a job are huge stress factors. Some drugs are viewed as a means of relaxation - a way to calm the storm in your mind. Although drugs can be very effective at doing that, there can be serious side effects. 5. People figure if a drug is prescribed by a doctor, it must be ok. It is easy for an individual to rationalize using a drug because it came from a doctor. The thinking goes like this 'it was prescribed to someone I know for the same problem I am having, so it makes sense it should work for me too.' The dangerous part about this rationalization is that this can lead to mixing of drugs, overdose, unintended side effects and/or dependency. 6. People get physically injured and unintentionally get hooked on prescribed drugs. The people at risk for this are physical laborers, elderly, and anyone with pre-existing injuries. Some people are born with chronic pain due to deformities - others get injured. 

 


Doctors then prescribe drugs for what they are intended for and a person can quickly build a dependency. Especially if that drug is making them feel all better, they rationalize that it must be OK to keep taking the drug, which can result in dependency. 7. People use drugs to cover painful memories in their past. Many people go through extremely traumatic events in their life, many times as children, and turn to drugs to cover the horrible memories. Children are extremely susceptible to trauma, whether physically or emotionally, and those feelings can haunt them into their adulthood. These people could benefit from working with psychologists to help repair their damaged mind. Drugs usually only deepen the issue. 8. People think drugs will help them fit in. When hanging out with friends, it's easy for people to want to fit in and seem like one of the crew. If others are drinking or doing drugs, it's very likely for someone to fall into that trap. Peer pressure can be a tremendous force causing someone to try things they would normally not try on their own. 9. People chase the high they once experienced. Ask anyone who has tried drugs and they will tell you that it is one of the best feelings of their life. The highs from drugs are so much more extreme than regular everyday joys because most drugs overload the pleasure sensors in your brain. Once a person feels this extreme pleasure, it's common for that person to become hooked on a drug simply chasing the initial high they once felt. As we all know, this is a viscous cycle that is extremely difficult to break. The highs are equally as powerful as the lows felt when coming off of the drugs.