According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), over 20 million people in the USA have struggled in the past years with drug related problems. To prevent this phenomenon, medical specialists from all around the world are constantly working and trying to develop efficient treatment programs for the people in need.
Nowadays, with the help of Drug Rehabilitation Centers, the road to recovery has never been easier. Well trained specialists are there 24/7 to supervise and help people break the cycle of addiction. Everything starts with acknowledging the problem and the decision to do something about it.
Even though it may seem difficult to some people, calling for help is always the right direction to go. A specialized and diversified treatment will not only just break the vicious cycle of addiction, but it will also improve the quality of life. There are plenty of advantages of following these recovery programs, and we will talk about some of them just right below.
Receiving a specialized treatment
Trying to overcome addiction unattended by a specialist is most of the times very challenging and not to mention very dangerous. It is very important to keep in mind that everyone is different in their own way. Most of the times, the treatment options differ from patient to patient. This is where the importance of the medical staff comes into play. Their main job is to make sure that every patient receives a specialized treatment based on their needs.
The clear advantage of receiving specialized help is represented by the variety of available recovery programs. People undergoing a rehabilitation process usually follow behavioral approaches or medical therapies. Depending on how strong the cycle of addiction is, in order to break it, some people may need both behavioral and medical treatments at the same time. Even though it may seem a very complex process, there is nothing to worry about. Medical specialists are there to carefully supervise the patients and readjust the treatment options whenever it is needed. They will always be happy and supportive with every progress their patients make.
Learning about the addiction
The educational process is definitely just as important as the medical part. Many studies have shown that people that learn about the aspects of their addiction are less likely to rebound into the vicious cycle. Nowadays, almost all Drug Rehabilitation Centers have educational programs conducted by well-trained specialists. People that struggle with any type of addiction will have the possibility learn about the effects of substance abuse and how to prevent them. The main purposes of these courses are to raise awareness among patients, to break the cycle of addiction and to strengthen the patients’ decision to give up on this toxic way of life.
The therapist should act simultaneously as teacher and as a friend. He will always encourage a positive relationship with the patient and he will use that relationship to reinforce positive behavior change. The interaction between the therapist and the patient should be realistic and direct and never confrontational. Therapists are trained to conduct treatment sessions in a way that promotes the patient’s self-esteem, dignity, and self-worth. A positive relationship between patient and therapist is a critical element for patient retention.
Treating the underlying cause
Identifying and treating the underlying cause of addiction is an important aspect of the rehabilitation process. Sometimes, treating the cause may be just as important as treating the effects caused by the substance abuse. This approach usually is a game-changer in the long run as it improves the quality of life and lowers the chances for rebound dramatically.
Constant counselling and guidance are the keys to a life free of addiction. This is why most Rehab Centers have what we call cognitive therapies. The most common types of behavioral therapy used in treatment centers include substance abuse counseling, anger management, group therapy, 12-step facilitation, and brief intervention therapy, contingency management /motivational incentives, cognitive-behavioral therapy, relapse prevention therapy, motivational interviewing and the Matrix Model. Nearly all treatment facilities for individuals with drug problems encourage the patient to talk about his or her individual experiences with the drug and also help the individual attain greater self-understanding of why drug use started and how it can be ended.
Developing healthy habits
Addiction treatment centers encourage their patients on a daily basis to develop new healthy habits in order to improve their quality of life. It’s vital for people that struggle with a drug addiction to learn to let go of their old self-destructive habits and replace them with new and better ones. Behavioral therapies, conducted by well-trained specialists, will guide and support the patients through this process. In order to self-improve and thrive to a better life, patients must acknowledge, understand, visualize and change their destructive behavior. We strongly believe that with the right guidance, the patients will realize the importance of forming new healthy habits and they can already make their first steps to recovery.