Duluth Drug Rehab

Duluth – Duluth Drug Rehab Facilities

Duluth Georgia

In 2007, there were an estimated 23 million people aged 12 or older who needed treatment for drugs or for an alcohol use problem. The problem is that only 3.9 million received treatment at a substance abuse rehabilitation facility. That is a conservative estimate at best, but seeing that only 1 our of 6 person who need help gets the help he needs, it is apparent that there is a need for people to be aware that help is available, be it in Duluth, Georgia or wherever in the United States. Duluth Drug Rehab facilities are known for various treatment programs ranging from detoxification with medically managed withdrawal to outpatient counseling, short-term in-patient treatment, with post-treatment outpatient support and long-term residential treatment (60 days or more).

The Stigma of Addiction

The biggest problem that a drug addict is usually faced with is the stigma of addiction. It has been only recently that people are starting to view addiction as an illness, and not a mar in the character. The fact is, while drug use can be ‘managed’ at first, substance abuse can seriously affect brain functions and one’s judgment; hence, the pursuit of the habit even when the person knows that the consequences are grievous. This stigma, along with the mentioned effects on brain function makes it difficult for the person struggling with drug addiction to get help.

When you know someone who needs help, it is important that he gets treatment. And while there are a lot of illicit substance abusers who look up drug rehab facilities themselves and volunteer to get engaged in the treatment program, there are far more who needs a push from other sources. Family or friends can encourage someone to get in rehab. An employer can also make drug rehabilitation a requirement for an employee who is having a problem with illicit substances. However, the ultimate source of pressure is still the criminal justice system which can enforce a treatment program for a person instead of incarceration. Medical research shows that non-voluntary patients still succeed in getting rehabilitated so while self-motivation is important, it is equally important to get someone engaged by any means necessary.

Treatment Programs

As mentioned, there are generally 4 types of treatment programs in most drug rehab facilities, Duluth Drug rehab facilities included – detox, short-term residential, long-term residential and outpatient. Types and mode of treatment from one facility to another, with the12-step approach being the one of the most widely used systems.

However, when it comes to substance abuse treatment, there is never a one-size-fits-all magic formula. Therefore, it is important to take a look at the patient’s environment on the course of his addiction, his other problems, be is financial, psychological or work-related and a variety of other factors as well.

A patient’s treatment plan will include several components – substance abuse monitoring (after all, lapses may occur), individual and group counseling, behavioral and cognitive therapy, clinical and case management, continuing care (which involves evaluating treatment and results during the course of the program, and even after, in cases of post-residential outpatient support) and the more controversial pharmacotherapy, which involves the use of other substances to stabilize a patient’s cravings.

All of these components are part of a treatment plan; and it doesn’t end there. Family services, child care services, medical services and mental health services are also included, and as a matter of fact, financial and legal services should also be provided for a more comprehensive program. To prepare the patient for society, educational and vocational services should also be part of the program.

Why Most Drug Rehab Patients Relapse

Addiction is a very complex disease – it affects multiple aspects of the person’s life. This means that in its treatment, the patient should also be able to take care of that many facets in his life affected by substance abuse. The reason why some treatment programs don’t work is that most people view treatment programs in black and white – as a success or as a failure, when the fact is that, just like any other treatment programs for any other illness, there success or failure is a rather gray area. Of course, there were people who went though drug rehab and were able to go back to society as productive citizens, but what about the ‘failures’.

The fact is, wile there are bona-fide failures – drug addicts who have been destroyed physically and psychologically beyond cure but there are far more people who did not really fail but lapsed into drug use again. This in itself is not an indication of the treatment program. It is an indication that something is not working and that the treatment plan should be reworked. Relapse also happens when the full recommended period for the treatment program is not followed, on account of a “busy” schedule or a desire to cut on therapy costs, or the desire to get back to life as soon as possible.

This is where the importance of the evaluation of the treatment plan comes into play. The patient may need more intensive cognitive behavior therapy. Duluth Drug Rehab facilities and other Georgia substance abuse rehabilitation centers should be able to asses before the patient is engaged to the treatment program and evaluate the effectiveness of the program mid-way so it can be modified when necessary. Another reason is that he may need more support, in which case it would count to have group counseling sessions or for his family to be made aware of this need. There is also the matter of making sure other psychological problems are taken care of. Most of the time, a person who suffers from addiction also suffers from other psychological problems such as bipolar disorder or depression.

Regaining control of one’s life after substance abuse is not easy, as what most neo-zen gurus would try to make anyone believe. Sure, there are people who manage to get over their addiction by sheer will, but that is the exception, and not the rule. Successful rehabilitation after substance abuse is still possible though, with the help of Duluth Drug rehab facilities that are especially equipped to help a person gain control over addiction, and get back to society as a productive citizen.