Drug Rehab Opens Doors to a New Life

Addiction is an overwhelming problem in the United States. According to a recent study, 23.5 million individuals over the age of 12 needed treatment for drug or alcohol abuse in 2009. Yet few individuals receive treatment in a specialized facility. This poses a striking challenge. Addiction is a disease that cannot be addressed through force of will alone. Professional treatment is the best way to help addicts reroute their lives and get back on the path to being healthy, productive individuals.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for recovery. The best drug rehab centers offer a variety of programs tailored to the specific needs of each patient. Many would benefit greatly from residential, or inpatient, treatment. Such treatment includes individual and group counseling in a structured, supportive setting. Residential treatment is often the best option for individuals with severe alcohol or drug problems. Outpatient treatments are a productive option for individuals who have less severe substance abuse issues and cannot fit inpatient treatment into their life. It is also a productive option for those who have already one through inpatient treatment and are looking to continued support in their recovery. Outpatient treatment typically consists of counseling in either a group or individual setting, and therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy or family therapy.

Some alcohol and drug rehab centers cater their services to professionals whose careers have a high risk potential for addiction and dependency. Health professionals, who have high stress jobs and easy access to addicting prescription pills, are one such group. Targeted recovery programs for health professionals can help doctors, nurses, and other individuals in the field, address their addiction while allowing them to maintain licensure. Health Professionals Recovery Program (HPRP) was established in 1993 to help treat addiction and encourage impaired health professionals to seek out an addiction and recovery program before their substance abuse harms a patient or their career. Lawyers and judges are another targeted professional group. In association with local or state Bar Associations rehab centers offer programs for legal professionals struggling with addiction. Michigan's Lawyers and Judges Program (LJAP) is an exemplary program for addicted professionals.

With such a variety of drug rehab programs and facilities available, it is important to find the right program for you or your loved one. Find out what type of programs a facility offers and what type of payment the facility accepts. Keep in mind that programs affiliated with hospitals and research groups are often on the cutting edge of addiction treatment. Look for programs that address comorbidities such as mental health disorders, which impact an addict's recovery. Ensure that your selected facility has ongoing assistance to help a recovering addict after detox and initial treatment. Addiction is a disease and requires ongoing treatment. Thus, while every recovery center seeks to prevent relapses, it is important to look at relapse as signal that treatment just be adjusted.