The Purpose Of The Principles Of Addiction Treatment
Recovering from addiction is more than just abstaining from drug or alcohol use, it requires extended treatment that caters to an individual’s needs and teaches them valuable skills to stay sober. Addiction treatment in a rehabilitation center usually follows certain principles which have been proven effective in treating addiction. Without these established principles of treatment, an addict faces the possibility of experiencing a relapse after leaving their rehab facility.
It is important for individuals suffering from addiction to follow the basic standards for effective treatment including medically assisted detox, adequate time in a treatment facility, individual or group counseling, and care that attends to specific issues such as mental health problems. Following the principles of addiction treatment can help people avoid relapse and multiple stays in a rehab center.
Immediate Treatment and Detoxification
One of the first principles of treating addiction is that addicts need to have treatment readily available for them when their substance abuse gets out of control. Treatment for people with addiction does not necessarily have to be voluntary for it to be effective. If family members, employers, or a judge are the ones pressuring or requiring an addict to enter a rehab center then their treatment can still be equally effective. It is important for the treatment to be accessible to them immediately however, otherwise they could be lost to their addiction.
At times when insurance companies deny coverage for treatment or they are not able to enter a facility soon enough, the individual can end up overdosing. If they are able to obtain treatment, an addict must first go through medically-assisted detox as a precursor to their rehab stay. Attempting to go through detox on their own or skipping this step can seriously affect their ability to stay sober. In a detox treatment center, patients should have access to medications that can wean them off of their drug use and manage withdrawal symptoms.
Individual Therapy and Time Spent In Treatment
After completing detoxification it is another important principle in addiction treatment that an addict spends enough time in rehab. Patients in a rehab center begin to see significant improvements after about three months. Any amount of time less than that could jeopardize their ability to stay sober and they will ultimately end up back in the facility to treat a relapse. Patients need a minimum of a few months in treatment and possibly additional time based on their individual needs.
A key element in addiction treatment is the use of individual or group counseling to help people develop emotional connections and learn important skills that will help them fight triggers and craving on their own. People in treatment ultimately need to have the ability to remain sober independently. Group therapy is a good opportunity for people suffering from addiction to develop a support system that they can rely on in times of stress. Talking to therapists and peers can be cathartic as well as a chance to gain important knowledge about how to be sober.
Mental Illness and Individual Needs
Addiction treatment would not be effective if it was exactly the same for everyone. Each individual may have special needs that need to be addressed in order for them to recover. People with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder may require certain types of facilities and care to receive effective treatment.
If a patient with these types of needs goes to a general rehab center then they could face serious challenges in recovering from addiction. Whatever unique concerns a person may have in their addiction treatment, it is important that their specific needs are met so that they can experience a successful and lasting recovery.