Substance abuse is a powerful, devastating illness that can affect every aspect of a drug user’s life. If drug or alcohol abuse is affecting you or someone you know, it may be time to think about getting treatment through one of the many substance abuse treatment centers around the country.
Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
Substance abuse treatment centers recognize that addiction affects the drug user on a number of levels, and centers seek to provide support for all of the ways drug use has changed patients’ lives, including:
- Physical. The physical aspect of addiction is incredibly powerful, and drug and alcohol users often experience brutal withdrawal symptoms when they discontinue use of the substance as part of treatment at substance abuse treatment centers. Breaking this physical dependency is the first step to recovery.
- Psychological. Drug abuse often begins as a way to deal with stress or negative emotions. At substance abuse treatment centers, recovering addicts learn new ways to deal with stress, so they don’t start using drugs again.
- Social. Drug users often have many friends who are fellow drug users, which creates situations in which addicts feel pressured or encouraged to use drugs. Recovery programs at substance abuse treatment centers teach addicts to leave behind these negative friends and situations, in order to maintain their recovery.
- Interpersonal. Addicts, especially those who have been heavy drug users for a long time, often compromise their relationships with family and friends who are not drug users in order to hide their problem. After getting treatment at substance abuse treatment centers, recovering drug users must work to repair these relationships and earn the trust of those they hurt.
Finding Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
There are plenty of substance abuse treatment centers around the country, but not all of them are exactly the same. Choosing the right one for yourself or someone you love can be difficult. Consider the following factors:
- Treatment philosophy. Though all substance abuse treatment centers are committed to helping patients move beyond their addictions and live fulfilling sober lives, not all of them take the same approach to accomplishing this. Some alcohol treatment centers, for example, include a significant spiritual or religious component in their program, while others do not. Ask questions about each center’s approach to treatment and recovery, and how they customize treatment plans for each patient.
- Staff. Consider the staff members that each center employs. They should be experienced and professional.
- Relapse rate and relapse treatment. Relapse is very common among recovering addicts. Ask about the relapse rate for the substance abuse treatment programs you’re considering, in order to ascertain how many patients attain long-term sobriety. Also ask whether the treatment center provides support to patients who have relapsed to help them regain sobriety.
Beginning Recovery
If you or a loved one are ready to face your substance addiction, substance abuse treatment centers around the country are here to help. Admitting you need help is one of the most difficult parts of the process, but it will get you started on the road to sobriety.