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Help for Drug and Alcohol Abuse

There are literally millions of people who are in need of help for drug and alcohol abuse, a problem which spans every age, ethnicity, and social circumstance and no one is immune to the destruction that this can cause. If individuals who are abusing drugs and alcohol don't receive help, the consequences can be devastating. Many thousands of individuals overdose on drugs and alcohol each year, some of which lose their lives as a result while others struggle with the serious side effects of drug and alcohol abuse. No matter which drug is being abused or how serious and long term the problem, there are drug rehab programs available to address the varying needs of individuals who need help. It is just a matter of seeking out the correct drug rehab program and getting those who need it to drug rehab by any means necessary. A drug or alcohol intervention is sometimes necessary on behalf of friends and loved ones to get them there, which is a simple and straightforward process which can work quite effectively in getting individuals to see the light and agree to the drug rehab process.

The first thing to do is to acknowledge that there is a problem with drug and alcohol abuse, as most individuals and even friends and family can be in denial. There are definite signs and red flags to look out for if one thinks that a loved one or friend is abusing drugs and alcohol, and it is important to take note of these so that the individual can be confronted and helped before it is too late. The side effects of drug and alcohol abuse are in themselves warning signs for example, and if an individual has various changes in mood, demeanor, behavior and appearance and seems high they most probably are. It is important that friends and family members do not fall prey to lies and tall tales that most drug and alcohol abusers will invent to justify their actions and substance abuse, as this is simply a mechanism to avoid getting help and prolong the drug and alcohol abuse. Work with the facts and get the individual to admit there is a problem, an important first step on the road to recovery.

It can sometimes be hard to understand why someone can't just help themselves, and quit abusing drugs or alcohol on their own. This can frustrate friends and family who are literally affected every day by the individual's poor choices and abuse of drugs and alcohol. There is a simple reason for this, and it has to do with how drugs and alcohol affects the individual both physically and psychologically. Whichever drug is being abused, an individual becomes accustomed over time both physically and mentally to the feelings of reward and pleasure that are experienced when under their influence. When the individual doesn't get their fix, not only do they not experience the reward and pleasure from taking drugs and alcohol but they will also experience negative effects because of their reliance on these substances. Their body and mind doesn't have time to readjust, and as a result they can experience many unwanted physical and psychological symptoms depending on which drug is being abused. Readjusting to life without drugs and alcohol takes time, and most will not endure this period of unwanted symptoms without relapsing back into drug or alcohol abuse.

This reality, coupled with the fact that most individuals are abusing drugs and alcohol to mask and avoid underlying problems in their lives makes it nearly impossible for them to successfully help themselves kick their habit. This is why getting drug and alcohol abusers into drug rehab is crucial. After all, it is not only important to get individuals to stop abusing drugs and alcohol but to help them maintain their sobriety long term and lead a more healthy and productive life. This entails not only kicking the habit physically but also addressing the issues which prompted them to turn to drugs and alcohol as a solution and a crutch, so that they don't relapse in the future and can leave drug rehab without the fear that they will have a problem with drug or alcohol abuse ever again.

As mentioned earlier, an intervention is sometimes necessary to get an individual to accept help and go to rehab. This is a process that can be conducted under the guidance and with the expertise of a trained drug interventionist. A drug interventionist can help family and friends orchestrate a successful intervention that will get individuals who abusing drugs and alcohol into a drug rehab which will effectively help them. This typically entails finding the drug rehab that will suit the individual's needs, and make all arrangements so that once the individual accepts the help they can leave and begin their path to recovery. Drug rehab programs most often work directly with professional drug interventionists and can assist in connecting these professionals with the intervention participants to guide them through this process.

Once the individual is in drug rehab, the first step of their treatment will be detoxing and getting through the aforementioned symptoms of sudden drug or alcohol cessation known as withdrawal. Some times of withdrawal can cause complications, and it is very important that individuals receive the utmost physical and psychological care during this time at a drug rehab. Physical and psychological symptoms which can occur can be life threatening in some instances, especially with alcohol and certain prescription drugs which are often abused. Individuals are sometimes unaware of how dangerous this can be, and every effort should be made to ensure an individual coming off of drugs or alcohol is in a drug rehab setting to avoid any such complications. Specialty staff at drug rehab programs and drug detox facilities understand the task at hand and the challenges involved, and will help make it a smooth and safe process.

After the physical challenges of suddenly coming off of drugs and alcohol have been overcome, treatment professionals can focus on the real work at hand; addressing the real reasons the individual abused these substances in the first place. Not all treatment approaches are the same and there are many different drug rehab programs with various methods, duration of stay, amenities etc. The treatment approach for one person may not be suitable for someone else, and a drug rehab should be chosen based off of the individual's history of drug abuse and particular circumstances. Work with professional treatment counselors to choose a program that is most suitable.

For example, short term drug rehab programs are available which can last up to 30 days and provide intensive but brief treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. Unfortunately, for individuals who require more intensive treatment this is simply not enough time to address even some of the physical issues which will arise much less the more crucial psychological and emotional ones. Be very careful to choose a drug rehab program which will not put time limits or constraints on rehab and will go the distance to ensure the individual is not just off of drugs but has a shot at long term sobriety and a healthy lifestyle once treatment is complete. For individuals who are truly dependent to drugs or alcohol, it is recommended that drug rehab take place in an inpatient or residential setting which requires a stay of at least 90 days.

The most effective drug rehab programs provide a safe and drug free treatment environment in which the individual can focus on their recovery instead of other distractions. Outpatient drug rehab programs most often fail at resolving drug and alcohol abuse issues, because the individual returns to what triggers their abuse on a daily basis. This is not the case in both inpatient and residential settings, where such issues are not a problem and counselors work to provide an environment that is conducive to an an effective recovery where such triggers are addressed long before the individual steps foot out of rehab.

In the correct environment and with the help of trained treatment professionals in drug rehab, individuals in treatment can avail themselves of many tools that have helped millions of others effectively overcome drug and alcohol abuse. For example, many drug rehab programs utilize education and both individual and group counseling to help individuals discover what may have caused their addiction issues. The counseling received in drug rehab programs is often geared to help individuals recognize things in their lives which must change such as habits, behaviors, and even acquaintances and certain social situations which can help them achieve long-term sobriety. Group counseling received in drug rehab helps some individuals gain a different perspective regarding their addiction and offers additional peer support, as it often helps to see that others are experiencing similar challenges and are overcoming them. It is not uncommon for drug treatment professionals to encourage that friends and loved ones take part in counseling as well as part of the recovery process, so that each individual can gain perspective, heal, and prepare themselves for the future.

Once an individual has completed their treatment curriculum, it is not always true that they are in the clear. There is always a chance for relapse if there is not a strong support system available at all times that the individual can lean on when life's burdens become too hard to bear. Strong aftercare programs are sometimes a crucial part of the overall recovery process, and can sometimes even include a stay in an aftercare facility which can maintain an open line of support if anything situation arises which may compromise the individual's sobriety. Aftercare programs may be as minimal as checking in with a drug counselor frequently or attending individual or group counseling on a regular basis until the individual and their drug counselor is confident they can maintain their sobriety on their own. If there is a strong support system available at all times there will be much less of a chance for relapse and failure. If relapse does occur, which sometimes the case, the individual will simply return to an effective drug rehab and resume a treatment regimen that will revisit the treatment process and sort out what issues were left unresolved from their prior treatment episode.

Despite the popular misconception that drug and alcohol abuse are something that will plague an individual for the rest of their lives, it is curable and there is effective help which can resolve these issues once and for all. With the many different treatment options available, individuals can choose from a variety of approaches, philosophies and settings which will suit their individual needs. No one need suffer one more day because of a substance abuse problem for which there are workable solutions which have helped so many overcome these issues. It is simply a matter of either taking the step oneself to seek help, or intervening on behalf of someone else who has reached a crisis point and cannot help themselves to get them the help they need. The alternatives are grim, seeing as so many people lose their lives to drug and alcohol abuse every day.

Don't be a casualty or stand by and let a loved one or friend be a casualty of drug or alcohol abuse. If logistics are an issue such as financing such treatment, drug rehab programs will often offer payment assistance and other financial options for those who may have trouble paying for effective treatment, and many private drug rehab programs accept private health insurance as well. Other details will often fall into place once the individual makes the choice to help themselves and enter treatment. Family and friends should be all means come together and help make this happen at all costs. There is no excuse to not begin the path to recovery today for you or someone you know and care about. Contact a professional treatment counselor to discover which treatment options are available, get any questions answered, and get started right away.

Facts

  • The risks associated with Adderall are not only likely if you are abusing or misusing the drug, and the drug has been associated with sudden death in children and teenagers.
  • Methadone withdrawal can be even more severe than morphine or heroin withdrawal and can last for several weeks or more.
  • Ketamine is abused recreationally massive numbers of young people as a "club drug," and is often distributed at "raves", which are popular all night dance parties.
  • Regular abuse of inhalants can result in serious harm to vital organs, including the brain, heart, kidneys, and liver.