Drug Rehab Programs
Drug rehab programs vary widely. Most drug rehab programs are
either medically-based, spiritually, socially or holistic in approach.
Residential, inpatient, outpatient, and detox options are offered
at most centers overseeing drug rehab programs. Research clearly
states that the best results from drug rehab programs come from
those who have been in a program 3-months or better.
Drug rehab programs many times co-exist with centers that also
offer alcohol treatment programs as well. This is because many
who check in with dependency problems have dual-diagnoses of alcohol
and substance abuse and need treatment for both. Though there
are many similarities between drug and alcohol rehab programs,
there are also some distinct differences as well. Withdrawal methods
for alcohol are the same whether the beverage of choice is beer,
wine or hard liquor. Withdrawal methods from drug dependency varies
as to the specific type of drug addiction.
For instance, some drug rehab programs such as Narconon, "…
does not use drugs or medications to solve the problems caused by
drugs, but does use nutrition and nutritional supplements as an
important component of its delivery. Thus the program is neither
a psychiatric nor medical, but a social education model of rehabilitation."
Other drug rehab programs will use drugs and even anesthesia to
rapid detox from drugs such as codeine, heroin, morphine and opium
addictions. The programs using anesthesia do so under supervision
of a board-certified anesthesiologist in a medical facility and
essential lets the chemically dependent person sleep through the
painful withdrawal symptoms of these specific drugs.
Medically-Based Drug Rehab Programs
Medically-based drug rehab programs are conducted at a medical
facilities set up specifically for those with substance abuse
problems such as licensed hospitals. Physicians and nurses
are available for constant monitoring to ensure safe withdrawal
and oversee the recovery process.
Spiritual Drug Rehab Programs
Spiritual drug rehab programs include the 12-step programs
that give their will to a 'higher power' or Christian programs
that use both the 12-step methods and the Bible( plus the
support of like-minded individuals) to accomplish their rehab
goals. Many other specific spiritually-based drug rehab programs
also exist within the traditional religious framework or alternative
frameworks such as metaphysics.
Social Drug Rehab Programs
Social drug rehab programs such as Narconon do not have 'patients'
in the program, preferring the term 'students'. Students do
not recover from illnesses but rather learn something they
don't already know and graduate the program whenever enough
life skills are acquired to obtain a new drug-free life. According
to Narconon, "If graduates do run into serious difficulties,
they return to their Narconon center where they inevitably
find a specific part of the program that they earlier failed
to fully understand and therefore could not apply in the travails
of daily life."
Holistic Drug Rehab Programs
Holistic drug rehab programs usually focus on a mind, body
and spirit approach to chemical dependency. These programs
may rely on traditional drug dependency healing methods along
with non-traditional methodology in order to achieve the desired
results. Some alternative holistic methods which may be used
in recovery include use of nutritional eating and dietary
and nutritional supplements, meditation, yoga, visualization,
biofeedback, exercise and relaxation tapes to name a few.
Most inpatient drug treatment programs occur inside a licensed
and accredited hospital setting under the care of physicians
and nurses. While most inpatient care is long-term (3-months
or more), shorter term care can also be provided.
Residential drug treatment programs do not have the same
rigid requirements for care that inpatient facilities do,
but they do offer many a break from the sterility of the hospital
setting. Many residential drug rehab programs are offered
in a getaway setting as a camp, ranch or other natural and
peaceful environment.
Outpatient drug rehab programs are usually for those who
do not have a long history of drug dependency and are able
to work out their issues while still attending school or work.
Support group meetings also offer additional support to those
in outpatient programs to help keep the individual stabilized
and functioning in a real world setting.
While most drug rehab centers do not offer a detox program solely,
most centers do offer detox options as the first step to one of
their other drug rehab programs. The body must first undergo a physical
withdrawal from the dependent substance before any ongoing treatment
can proceed. Since severe withdrawal can be life-threatening (heart
attacks, stroke, seizures, etc.) it is important that the drug rehab
center of choice is set up for 'worse case scenario' withdrawal.
No matter what the drug dependency problem is, though, the most
important step is to just get started. Pick a drug abuse treatment
program that you would like to be associated with for the next
3 or so months, that fits your budget, insurance, lifestyle and
get started. The time is now to say 'Yes' to the rest of your
life or that of a loved one. Information on alcohol
treatment programs may also be useful.
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