Deciding on a Rehab Facility

May 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For those battling a drug addiction, selecting the best drug rehabilitation center is one of the most important decisions they will ever make. Each drug rehab facility has its own program outline, credentials, staff qualifications, and effectiveness, not to mention the cost. Asking the right questions before entering a drug rehab program is imperative.

  • What types of programs does the facility offer?
    • The most effective centers rely on the 12-step program. The facility should also offer a variety of treatment programs that may include residential, outpatient, or short-term stays. Depending on the severity of the addiction, a residential stay may be the most effective. You also need to be sure the program is medically based and accredited.

 

  • How much does the program cost?
    • While usually the first question asked when considering drug rehab, the cost of the program shouldn’t always be the deciding factor. A quality, highly-effective program should always take precedence, but you need to be aware of what is included in the price tag. Discuss any insurance options with the facility to see how your needs can be met in a way that doesn’t break the bank.

 

  • Does the rehabilitation extend continuing care?
    • Breaking addiction is no quick fix — it can be a lifetime struggle. You may want to select a facility that offers follow-up and support programs.

Deciding on the best addiction rehabilitation is not something to be made lightly. Be as informed as possible to increase your chances of a successful treatment and continuing support plan.

 

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Addiction to Facebook

December 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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It seems far fetched that anyone could actually have an addiction to Facebook, but mental health experts are starting to believe such a thing is possible. There are certain built in factors within the Facebook platform that make it very addicting.

For instance, the prospect of messages, wall posts, invitations, and frequent updates make it hard to walk away from. Many people seem to spend way too much time on their Facebook account. It starts to take a front seat to studies, work, real time with friends, and relating to the real world. People think about Facebook even when they’re offline. They use it to escape problems and avoid unpleasant tasks. Some people even try to hide how much they use Facebook, and this all looks frighteningly similar to a drug addiction.

The difference in drug addiction and addiction to Facebook is that some drug addicts can put the substance down and go cold turkey. Facebook is such an integrated part of our society and the way we network that it’s become virtually impossible to completely walk away from. In that case, addicted users have to find ways to curb their time online.

Professor Bob Redi suggests that Facebook addicts find out what’s missing in their lives. They need to ask themselves if they have too much free time, not enough friends, a need to escape something, or other underlying issues that they want to avoid. They need to then find other ways to cope with those problems.

If a person is in doubt that they have an addiction to Facebook, they should keep a log of how often they long on and for how long. Redi said most people would be surprised at what they find. At that point, people need to seriously address the issue, even if it means seeking professional guidance.

Filed Under: Drug Addiction, Medical Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Getting Treatment at a Drug Rehabilitation Facility

December 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

More and more people all over the world are getting addicted to drugs every year. Sadly many of these people are teenagers. Once a person has admitted that they need help they will most likely go to a drug rehabilitation center for treatment.

There are hundreds of these centers across the globe. Most of these centers can provide an excellent service that gives many drug addicts a complete recovery. However some people may not recover the first time that they enter into a rehabilitation facility.

There are several reasons why this may occur. Those that are heavily addicted to drugs may find the withdrawal that they suffer far too painful. Because of this they may leave the center and continue to take drugs. Other people may not be able to stick to the strict requirements that some centers enforce. An example of this is that some facilities restrict the use of mobile phones. Many of them monitor the daily movements of their patients. Some patients may take some time to adjust to having this much structure in their lives.

However this does not mean that people should give up on trying to quit their addiction. Addiction recovery is not easy and should be looked upon as a long term endeavor. The responsibility of getting well lies on the addicted person as nobody can help them unless they want to help themselves. The time that will be most difficult for addicts to get through is when their body is adjusting to becoming drug free. The withdrawal process is not pretty and this is why it is best to go to a drug rehabilitation facility. These facilities have trained professionals that have seen the effects of withdrawal many times. This will make becoming drug free much easier than if the patient had to go through the process alone.

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The Success of Substance Abuse Programs

December 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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The success of a a substance abuse program should be considered before entering a patient into it. There are many programs available, and most will have a cost associated with them. Most addicts are not in a position to pay for something only to have it not work, so there are a few things to look for before deciding which substance abuse program to enter.

The success rate of the program is paramount. Ask the treatment center what their relapse rate is. Within 5 years of treatment about 54 percent of the participants will relapse. If the program can prove it has a lower statistic than that, then it’s worth trying.

It is also known that the longer a patient stays in treatment, the more successful he will be. Therefore, the next question should address average length of stay. Patients who stay in treatment for at least 90 days are going to be the most successful. Any time shorter than that will likely return a disappointing result.

Ask what the relapse rate is six months after treatment. For women it should be 20% or lower, and for men it should 30% or lower. If the program can prove it produces those kinds of numbers, it is an excellent choice for recovery.

Finally, the most successful recovering addicts participate fully in aftercare programs, so ask how the participants do in that part of the recovery process. Programs that succeed in getting patients to make all aftercare meetings are the programs most likely to turn around the disease of addiction. At least 60 percent of the participants should be attending all after care meetings in order to consider the substance abuse program successful.

Certainly, many factors in the addict’s life, as well as how motivated the addict is, will play into success, but there’s no sense in spending time and money on a program that won’t produce positive results.

Filed Under: Drug Addiction, Medical Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Suboxone Treats Heroin Addiction

December 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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When all substance abuse programs fail, it might be worth it for the heroin addict to ask a doctor about Suboxone. This is a medication designed to treat opiate addiction. Where it has its own set of risks, it can ultimately be a life saver for an addict.

Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine, which is an opioid medication, and naloxone, which blocks the effects of opioids. Therefore, the way Suboxone is administered is very important. It cannot be injected. If it is taken this way the naloxone will block the buprenorphine and cause withdrawal symptoms. If the drug is taken under the tongue, it will treat opiate addiction by stifling the desire to use.

Users of Suboxone can become dependent on the drug if they stop using it too quickly. In essence, they’ll go through withdrawal. Therefore, it is not something that can be taken occasionally or as needed. A doctor needs to be involved in this kind of drug therapy, and he or she will instruct on how to use it and how to be weened off of it.

Like many opioid medications, Suboxone can cause drowsiness and impaired thinking. So it is important to take caution when driving or operating heavy equipment. Combining it with alcohol, pain relievers, muscle relaxers, sleep aids or antihistamines can also increase the effects of Suboxone.

There is no solid evidence on how this drug will effect an unborn child. However, users are cautioned that the baby may suffer withdrawals symptoms.

The unfortunate part of heroin addiction is that the only drug proven to treat it has some of the same unwanted side effects. However, the control it gives an addict back over his life may be worth it. Like any medication, it simply becomes something that the patient learns to live with so that he can live at all.

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Battling Drug Addiction WIth Therapy

November 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

If someone feels as though they may have a drug addiction problem it is possible for them to get help immediately. There are many different programs that are set up nationwide to help someone to be able to get the assistance they need to be able to quit drugs.

It can be very difficult to quit taking drugs if someone feels as though they are all alone. Depending upon which program the person is in their recovery will take different amounts of time. Those addicted to heroin may take a longer recovery time than someone who is addicted to marijuana. Usually someone who is enrolled in a drug rehabilitation program will be able to have a place to stay, have food to eat, and get the therapy they need to be able to quit drugs forever.

There are a lot of people who are able to temporarily quit drugs but eventually have a relapse. It is believed that they have the relapse because they did not get the proper therapy they needed to be able to stay drug-free. Drug addiction is a lifelong battle that someone will have to be always ready to fight. The addiction will always be present it just may not always be evident.

Therapy helps someone to be able to learn methods in which they will have the ability to fight their addiction now and in the future. Many of the programs are government-funded so the person does not have to pay to get the treatment they need. Many former drug addicts go on to become public speakers to teach children and teens not to take drugs. Many of them do not want anyone to follow in their footsteps and want to help to make sure that kids can make the most of their lives.

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Illegal and Prescription Drug Rehab Can Both be Vital to Health

October 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

When people think of addiction and rehab, they think of things like cocaine and heroin. They consider street drugs and how dangerous and debilitating an addiction to them can really be. What they don’t think about, though, is how many people also go through prescription drug rehab each and every year. Both kinds of rehab programs are important for your health, depending on which kinds of drugs you’re abusing. It’s very important that you understand that there are all types of addictions. Cocaine is certainly one of them, but it’s far from the only one that’s a concern in society today.

Because so many people are getting involved with all different types of drugs, it’s vital to be aware of problems in your circle of friends or in your family members. Looking for unusual behavior is something you should be doing, even if you really don’t suspect that person of having a problem. There’s no need to be paranoid or start spying on them and snooping through their things. Just be aware if you notice serious changes in their mood, behavior, habits or finances. Drug addiction isn’t always obvious, but there are changes you can look for.

Even if an addicted person doesn’t want your help, doesn’t think there’s a problem and doesn’t want to hear the truth, it’s important that he or she knows you’re there for them – and that you know there’s a problem. In time, the addict will often acknowledge it on his or her own. In the meantime, continue to make the effort to get help, and make sure that you don’t let things progress to a dangerous point just because you don’t want to butt into that person’s life. Sometimes, butting in is the only thing that saves someone.

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