Evaluating Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Programs

Making the decision to enter a substance abuse rehabilitation program is a wonderful step towards the quality of life you deserve. When an individual is ready to take the plunge, it’s important to educate oneself in regard to the available options to help make an informed choice. Some programs place an emphasis on physical addiction, while others offer a more holistic approach. There are facilities that cater specifically to adolescents, specific genders, or patients who wish to bring their family members.

Determine what you are able to afford. Contact your insurance company to see if they can help alleviate some of the financial burden. Ask for a list of local treatment centers accepting insurance. If you lack insurance or funding, get in touch with a state official to find out about state funding and programs.

Consider the addict. Younger people may do better in a treatment plan designed for adolescents; an oxycontin addict will likely achieve better success in a prescription drug treatment program. It’s important for the addict to feel comfortable with their surroundings during recovery to help ensure the best possible outcome.

Inquire about different program philosophies. Someone who is more comfortable with traditional treatments may not benefit as much from a program that focuses on massage, yoga and meditation. Educate yourself in regard to the facility’s principals and means of treatment. Determine that best type of treatment for the individual in question.

Can the facility properly address the patient’s addiction? Some patients may require detoxification from prescription medications or heroin, while others may require special attention for a methamphetamine addiction. A treatment program must specifically address each patient’s individual needs.

Each program will have it’s own set of restrictions and rules. Read up to determine whether these guidelines fit your vision of treatment. For example, some facilities will restrict family visits while others encourage them.

Finding your ideal facility may take some time, but the end results are well worth the effort. Stick to your guns and locate a place that is best able to assess and address the needs and goals of the addict to ensure a healthy, positive and educational experience.

Do I Need Prescription Drug Treatment?

Prescription drug treatment is gaining momentum as individuals across the U.S. continue to develop pain killer addictions. In certain instances, people are placed on these medications following an injury or surgery, ultimately leading to a dependency following extended periods of use. In this entry, we will help you identify some common signs associated with prescription drug addiction.

Chronic Pain

Those addicted to prescription medications often cite chronic pain as a reason for their abuse. Many addicts also use this complaint as a means to obtain additional prescriptions from physicians.

Doctor Shopping

Addicts swap pharmacies and doctors on a regular basic to conceal their addictions. Some visit multiple physicians in an attempt to obtain additional prescriptions. In this way, the addict is able to fly under the radar, ultimately escalating the addiction to new heights over time.

False Ailments

Addicts often fake physical and psychological disorders in order to feed their addictions.

Medication Fixation

Though a physician may prescribe alternative treatments to medication, addicts may appear uninterested in attempting these recommendations. Example: An otherwise healthy patient will likely attend a lab testing or X-ray appointment in hopes of finding a solution for their pain; An addict may choose to avoid these commitments on purpose.

Theft

Many prescription drug addicts steal leftover prescriptions from friends and family members. Others lift prescription pads from doctor’s offices to forge future prescriptions. Individuals who ask others for leftover medications are often in the grips of addiction.

Help

If you or someone you know is suffering from a prescription drug addiction, your best option is to locate a specialized substance abuse rehabilitation facility to help address the issue. Search online or in your local Yellow Pages, and call each facility up to learn about it’s specified philosophies and treatments. With a little time and effort, you’ll be able to locate a facility to accommodate your needs and goals on the road to recovery. 

Prescription Drug Treatment Considerations & Facts

Studies show more and more individuals seeking prescription drug treatment to address pain killer addiction. Some people are placed on these types of drugs following a painful injury, while others purchase through street dealers. If taken for long enough periods, these substances can become extremely addictive and harmful to both the individual and those around them. Below, we will outline a few key points to consider when considering recovery from a prescription medication addiction.

Step 1 – Pain killer addiction is extremely common in the U.S., posing a threat to people in all walks of life. Before an individual can receive help for their addiction, they must first admit that there is an issue that requires professional help. Someone who is not interested in receiving help will not respond to the treatment being provided.

Step 2 – If friends and family members are involved in the recovery, an intervention plan must be put in place. Once the addict feels ready to accept help for their dependency, a discussion with a professional drug counselor will better prepare them for the road ahead.

Step 3 – Most professionals agree that inpatient oxycontin rehab is the most effective means in achieving long-lasting sobriety. In this way, the individual is afforded the opportunity to detox and reassess life choices in an environment that is both controlled and positive without excessive exterior influence.

Step 4 – Once in treatment, addicts are introduced to facility philosophies and programs, including group and individual therapy. The addiction is analyzed, assessed and treated along with factors that may have negatively contributed to the individual’s abuse, such as a childhood trauma or recent death in the family.

Step 5 – Following treatment, addicts are encouraged to attend after-care groups, such as NA to help them keep on a sober track in the outside world. 

Prescription Drug Treatment Basics

The recent deaths of Hollywood celebrities, popular TV, and media coverage have placed prescription drug treatment in the limelight of American consciousness. Studies show prescription drug abuse to be growing rapidly, outshining even marijuana in recreational usage. Recovery from this type of addiction is never easy, in many cases requiring the aid and supervision of qualified addiction specialists.

Pain Relievers

Of all the prescription medications available today, pain relievers are abused most often. These medications are potent narcotics, and can be extremely addictive. Addiction to these substances is found more commonly among the elderly, with a recent study showing individuals 60 and over with a 17% addiction rate.

Treatment

Treatment is available to those seeking recovery from prescription drug addiction. Help may come in the form of long-term residential substance abuse rehabilitation or outpatient care, depending on what’s best for the patient.

The withdrawal process from these types of medications can often be hazardous to a patient’s health. As such, it is not uncommon for physicians to recommend patients enter a medically monitored detoxification program prior to rehab to ensure a safe and comfortable transition into recovery.

In addition to detox, individual counseling and psychotherapy is employed to help patients come to terms with emotions that come forth during withdrawal. Counseling serves the patient by providing them with a better understanding as to why they became dependent in the first place. Once inpatient treatment is complete, many patients use outpatient group therapy as a way to continue their recovery outside of the treatment facility, while easing their transition back to a sober and happy lifestyle.