The Benefits of Drug Rehab

Drug rehab (rehabilitation) is another term for substance use treatment, especially treatment for people affected by drug or medication related issues. While millions of Americans have substance use and abuse problems, relatively few people currently seek or receive appropriate care. Enrollment in a suitable substance use disorder program can provide a range of critically important benefits.

Prevention of Drug Addiction

Many people assume they can only enter drug rehab after they develop diagnosable symptoms of addiction[i]. However, this is not the case. Anyone who feels they or their loved ones are at-risk for addiction can seek out early treatment. The modern model for this form of treatment is known as SBIRT.

SBIRT gets its name from its three progressive steps: screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment. The screening step is designed to identify the types of substances being used and determine what sort of treatment program makes the best sense.[ii] The evidenced-based evaluation can take place in different settings including clinics, doctors’ offices and emergency rooms.

A brief intervention is a short educational session intended to make a person aware of the dangers of drug and alcohol use, and outline ways to avoid involvement in dangerous patterns of substance intake. During the referral to treatment phase, people in need of more intensive, structured help receive guidance on how to proceed.

Once in treatment, participants can receive help targeted at their specific substance use circumstances. Timely enrollment an addiction treatment program can stop any slide into the uncontrolled substance use that characterizes addiction. In this way, it can also help prevent the severely dysfunctional mental, physical and behavioral changes that make addiction so harmful.

Maximized Safety During Drug Withdrawal

Anyone attempting to stop using drugs or alcohol can expect to experience mild, moderate or severe symptoms of withdrawal when their substance intake comes to an end. There are two basic problems related to these symptoms. First, in some cases, the effects of withdrawal can lead to major, potentially life-threatening changes in normal body function. In addition, even when life-threatening problems don’t occur, the urge to avoid the physical and mental strain of withdrawal can quickly lead an addicted drug user back into active substance consumption.

When withdrawal occurs outside of monitored drug treatment, unexpected complications in the process can quickly turn into highly dangerous situations. In contrast, people going through withdrawal in a certified drug rehab facility have ready access to the medical assistance required to keep withdrawal complications[iii] under control. The trained medical professionals working at a drug rehab facility also know how to minimize the overall impact of withdrawal symptoms and reduce the urge to return to active substance intake.

H2 Access to Helpful Medications

The benefits of drug rehab include access to a wide range of supportive medications[iv]. Some of these medications help offset the symptoms of withdrawal, while others help newly abstinent clients remain drug-free throughout the course of their treatment program enrollment. Professionals working in a properly run drug rehab facility possess detailed knowledge on which medications to use under which circumstances. They also know how to administer effective medication dosages and monitor clients for any potential side effects.

Access to Behavioral Therapy and Psychotherapy

Behavioral therapy and psychotherapy are now firmly established as critical tools in drug treatment. Medications and therapy are just two of the established methods of comprehensive drug rehabilitation. For any given person, additional required elements can include:

• Access to mental health services
• Access to financial or legal help
• Access to vocational or educational services
• Access to a peer-directed self-help group
• Case management assistance
• Access to family and child care services

When available, these add-on measures can greatly increase the odds of success during active program enrollment, as well as during the weeks, months and years following program participation.

Personalized Treatment for Drug Problems

Even if they’re addicted to the same substances, no two people will have the same exact needs when going through the treatment process. In each individual case variables include:

• The appropriate setting for treatment (inpatient versus outpatient)
• The specific forms of help that will provide the most benefit
• The secondary services needed to increase the likelihood of short-term and long-term success
• The amount of time required to establish a durable pattern of sobriety

Well-trained rehab professionals are well-versed in the need to create treatment approaches tailored to the needs of each client. In fact, they build their programs with this necessity firmly in mind.

Help for Drug Relapses

A significant percentage of all people participating in a drug rehab program will experience a relapse, either during active enrollment or at some later date. Relapse is not a sign of failure; however, it can be a turning point in the long-term effort to achieve sobriety. Knowledge of this fact allows a properly structured rehab program to adapt to the needs of relapsing clients and provide the shortest possible path back to drug abstinence.

Seeking the Best Treatment Facility

It can be difficult to find the best option for drug addiction treatment when you or your loved one are looking for help. Transformations Treatment Center specializes in full-spectrum care that addresses all aspects of the treatment process. All our clients receive individualized care that integrates natural and holistic protocols to heal the mind, body and spirit.