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Friday, February 4th 2011

7:59 PM

The Drug Rehab Process



Drug rehabilitation programs vary from one rehab facility to another. Nonetheless, almost all drug rehab centers will follow the same steps in treatment of an addict.


Detoxification is commonly the initial step of the treatment process. Detox period is when your body is withdrawn from the drug abused. This is done by flushing the drug out of the circulatory system with and without the use of another drug. A detox program could also vary, but whatever method or process a clinician chooses to use, the goal is to control the drug that is intoxicating the patient in order to decrease the deleterious effects of the substance that the patient is abusing. Withdrawals are commonly seen during this stage and could be life threatening, so methods were formulated to lessen this side effect of detoxification.

When the detoxification stage is completed, the patient can start with other parts of the drug rehabilitation process. As alternative activities are vital in the program, patient will receive a set schedule for a mixture of individual and group activities. This step will not be allowed if the patient is not clean. These are normally entertaining activities and experiences that are aimed towards enjoying life while being and staying drug-free.

Along with activities, an addict will undergo therapy with a specialized physician or psychiatrist while he or she is in the treatment facility. While detox deals with the physical aspect of addiction, therapy addresses the mental and psychological side of it. Therapists help them realize the root of the addiction and guide them in how to deal with the problems or situation that might be leading them towards substance abuse. Therapeutic intervention aims to condition patient not to choose drugs as a solution by suggesting constructive ways of handling their crisis. Depending on what the individual need, therapy can be in form of one on one or in group sessions.

Also part of being in a rehab facility is to be completely cut off from the pressures in the outside world that have led the person to take drugs in the first place. Family or friends will only be allowed to visit the patient when the physician sees the patient is ready. Visitors, when allowed, will be screened and checked for any illegal substance as sometimes addicts will contact dealers to supply them with drugs at the centers. This will be harmful not only to the patient but others who are at their battles with addiction.

While there are many steps toward drug rehab, most of them will basically follow the above procedures but it is of utmost importance that the addict himself takes the initiative of seeking help to successfully finish and complete the program.


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