Drug Recovery

So many options to pick from?

Drug recovery programs are as varied as the types of addiction, and while we’re not trying to recommend one kind of treatment over another, we’ll try to give you a primer on the topic.

Types of Addiction Treatment

Drug recovery programs may consist of: cognitive/behavioral therapy, medication, or a combination.

Behavioral therapy would include counseling, cognitive therapy and psychotherapy. Also, there is the 12-Step recovery developed by Alcoholics Anonymous, which is now used by over 250 self-help groups.

Drug Addiction Rehab Center three things you need to know to be successful…

An Intervention may be required for Drug Addiction Treatment

Before you can choose a treatment program you may need to do an intervention. Click here for information about interventions:

Is Drug Addiction a Disease or a Choice?

We firmly believe drug addiction is a DISEASE:
Drug Addiction is a Disease that responds to TREATMENT and spiritual support

But, before you choose which recovery treatment is for you; you may want to consider what YOU believe:
Is Drug Addiction a Disease or a Life Style Choice?

Selecting a  treatment program

There are several things to keep in mind when selecting a treatment program, or center. Foremost is the fact that everybody has an individual need and treatment programs must be tailored to meet that need. One size fits all does not apply.

Recovery needs to take place in the right setting, with the right services and treatments to best effect a positive outcome.

Even if a person does not voluntarily check-in to a treatment program, it does not mean the treatment will be ineffective. Many people present themselves for treatment by court order, not of their own free will, and can receive the same benefit as those who are there voluntarily.

When a person is ready for treatment it is important for that treatment to be ready for him/her. Services must be available, because if a person has to endure being put on a waiting list, or has to drive long distances to receive treatment, the odds are against them from the get go.

It’s easy for people to fall between the cracks if help is not readily available.

In many cases, people entering treatment need to go through medical detoxification. While it is an important first step in the treatment program, detox is not the whole answer to the problem. People need to get the drugs out of their system, but that does not address the long-term problems of addiction.

Must meet your needs!

Treatment programs need to meet the needs of people, beyond the physical and emotional addiction problem itself. We are body, mind and spirit. Intervention that does not include all of a person’s needs falls short of the minimum goal of the program.

Addiction is as much about the spirit as it is about the mind and body. Many addicts going into recovery has legal problems to sort out, job problems, social integration problems. Every aspect of the person’s life needs to be addressed.

Needs change and treatment programs need to change as those needs change. Progress or the lack of progress needs to be assessed on an ongoing basis. What was necessary in the first phases of treatment may need to be changed as time goes on. Perhaps a patient is on medication initially, but will later require counseling or psychotherapy. There may be family matters to work through, or vocational training.

Why 12-STEP?

We recommend that whatever treatment program you choose that you also enroll in a 12-step program. A 12-step program will help address your spiritual needs rather than just your medical needs.We have listed each step below and hope that you will take some time to review each step and consider what it would do for your/your loved ones recovery.

Suboxone is a new treatment for opiate addiction click to read more…

Go to the 12-step and treatment program.

Try to choose treatment that is appropriate for your age

Treatment programs must be age-appropriate, and sensitive to the culture and ethnicity of the patient. Again, the individual’s need is the key to determining the most effective path of treatment.

Sticking with drug recovery program is essential!

Patients need to complete their treatment programs. Treatment can be a long and difficult road, so patients need to be encouraged to stick with it. Research suggests that people reach a major milestone in recovery after 90 days, but additional treatment can be helpful in taking the patient farther down the road to good health.

The problem is people leave their treatment programs early, often without reaching a significant stage in recovery.

Patients cannot expect to recover if they have to do it alone. Connection to other people is necessary, and in the case of recovery, having sessions with a counselor or being part of a group is an important component of the program.

Many patients, who are addicted to opiates, such as heroin, benefit from drug treatment, using Methadone and LAAM (levo-alpha-acetylmethadol.

Naltrexone is used for patients addicted to opiates, but who are also dependent on alcohol. Smoking addiction is treated with bupropion.

Other medical problems, such as hepatitis B and C are associated with drug abuse and addiction. HIV/AIDS is another major concern and programs need to assess these conditions and provide training for patients to avoid infection.

Mental Health Needs to Be Considered

Patients with mental problems can be helped with a variety of behavioral drugs and treatments. Patients with both drug addiction and mental disorders need a program that works with both aspects. Assessment of these needs is critical in establishing a treatment program that will effectively restore the patient’s health and well-being.

Drug Use MUST Be Monitored!

While in treatment, patients must not be using drugs. Drug use needs to be monitored, and this can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Most commonly, a urinalysis or some other test is sufficient. If a relapse occurs, and the patient uses drugs during the treatment program, his/her individual treatment plan may require modification. It is important for the treatment program to have a steady, objective monitoring program to meet the needs of the patient.

Read more about Suboxone and Subutex treatment for Opiate Addiction…

Remember

Just as one size does not fit all patients, sometimes one recovery program doesn’t completely rid the patient of the addiction problem. Therefore, many patients need subsequent treatment to completely eliminate the addiction. By nature, people like to do things their own way

They make mistakes they stumble and fall

Sometimes long-term programs are the answer, or many times through the program.

The important thing is to continue to try to stay clean.

What are the drug addiction and family issues?

What are the drug addiction and marriage issues?

What are the underlying causes of drug addiction…

What are the risk factors for drug addiction…

For an additional look at Drug Recovery please click.

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How do I explain to my children that their dad is an “addict”?   

by Sally

(Chicago)

Recently, my boys witnessed their father’s overdose of methadone. They
were visiting with him on vacation. While staying with their dad, they
were unable to get him to respond.

They had to call 911. They
witnessed the chaos of the EMT’s/the hospital, their dad’s coma, etc. I
have a 10y, 11y and a 18y. My 18 year old son has resided with their
father and he is completely aware of the situation.

We live
about two hours away so after about two days, I made the younger sons
come back home and get away from the hospital. I did not go, but my
sister’s had been taking care of the boys afterwards.

Anyway, to
make a long story short, their dad is now awake and being sent home from
the hospital. He has no drugs in his system and has been “detoxed”
from the methadone. How do I explain to the little guys what it means
to be an addict? I hear their dad is already acting crazy without his
medicine. I have shut my phones off today, because I know he is going
to be calling.

Pending any court hearings, etc, I am not
planning to allow any type of overnight visiting. I don’t believe he
can really do anything about it.. He is broke. But my boys think I’m
just being vengeful, etc. They hate this and I get all of the blame.
How do I make them understand? I intend to hold out until he actually
completes some sort of program toward his recovery.

Be Honest and Up Front

by: Ned Wicker

Dear Sally,

When I was in the seminary I took a course
called “Dealing With Difficult People.” There was a saying that was
used that has resonated with me for years, ever since I first read it.
“There are no difficult people, just difficult relationships.”

Your youngest is old enough to understand some pretty grown up things, so be straight forward with him.

Explain
that their father has a brain disease that robs him of the ability to
make good decisions. It’s not his fault. It happened. If your kids
play video games they will likely understand how difficult it is to stop
playing. Or if you put a package of Oreo cookies out on the kitchen
table and tell your kids they may only have one, that’s a pretty hard
directive to follow. If one cookie tasted so good, then I want to have
another, and another.

Nobody sets out to be an addict. It
isn’t something you sign in your high school yearbook…”I’m going to be
addicted to drugs.” Obviously, your relationship failed and the
children bounce between two homes. It’s easy to use them against your
ex, so you have to be careful to be supportive and to respect the fact
that the kids need their father.

You can also explain that the
entire family can play a part in dad getting better, but we have to do
the right things. Maybe right now it isn’t safe to be around dad
because he has a health problem and isn’t thinking clearly.

Kids
are really smart. They know when you’re trying to dodge an issue.
Just face it straight on, in an age-appropriate manner, and get them to
help you help their father.

I would also call Al-anon and
get some support for yourself. Al-teen would be good for the kids. The
more you understand his experience and what he is dealing with, the
better you can help the situation and contribute to building a healthy
relationship between the kids and their dad. Again, be open, honest and
don’t insult their intelligence. They already know something is wrong.

Thank you

by: Sally…

Thank you! My boys do know. They are very smart and I’m trying
to be honest with them. They are angry right now, because they don’t
understand why I’m keeping them away.

I do know that they need their father, but I really want them to see a healthy father. I just don’t know if that’s possible.