Before entering an addiction recovery center, the first step is to recognize the signs of addiction. If you find that you cannot stop drinking alcohol or cannot stop using a certain drug, then you might be mentally dependent on that substance due to formed habits. Withdrawal symptoms, similar to the flu, will emerge when you are physically dependent on the substance, which means your body needs the drug or alcohol to continue to function properly. Consider seeking guidance from your doctor or local psychologist if you are experiencing any of these signs.
Initial Diagnosis– A doctor may diagnose you with substance use disorder if you visit your family physician, but a psychologist, counselor, or psychiatrist is trained to thoroughly assess whether you do have a substance addiction and what treatments you should receive. If your doctor diagnoses you, you will likely get referred to a mental health professional who may refer you to an official substance addiction rehab center.
Medically Supervised Detox– The first stage of drug rehab is to safely and effectively wean you off the substance you are addicted too. Drug rehab centers provide this through medically supervised detox, which uses medications, therapeutic techniques, and emotional support to help you mentally survive the withdrawal symptoms and urges to relapse. Some withdrawal symptoms can even become deadly if left untreated.
Behavioral Treatments– Behavioral treatments serve to maintain abstinence by using rewards to change previous drug use behaviors. There are various subtypes of behavioral therapy for different needs. Cognitive-behavioral therapy guides clients to become aware of situations that trigger relapse to develop coping skills to avoid urges to use again. Multidimensional family therapy works to improve overall family functioning for the person addicted to a substance and that person’s family who may be negatively affected by their loved one’s drug use. Contingency management is the most straightforward behavioral approach because this therapy rewards patients when they remain abstinent.
Other Treatments– Drug rehab centers also offer self-help groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Cocaine Anonymous (CA) which utilize the 12-step approach to treatment. However, not all self-help groups use the 12-step approach, and some may borrow methods from behavioral therapy and group therapy. Family therapy, individual counseling, and medications to make drug use unpleasant are all additional forms of treatment that rehab centers offer.
Long-Term Treatment– Depending on the severity of your addiction, you may only need to attend drug rehab as an outpatient. If your addiction is deemed severe, then you will likely be admitted as an inpatient, in which you will stay at the treatment center for several weeks or months until you can control your addiction.
Seeking Help for Substance Addiction?-If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms from any substance, then look into our recovery programs by contacting us at 714.443.83218. Our programs and recovery center helps clients by providing them with detox, family intervention, and long-term Outpatient or residential treatment if necessary.
