Understanding AlcoholismDrug Rehab and Addiction Treatment for Young Adults
What do people mean when they say drug rehab treatment? For some people, this means residential treatment, also known as inpatient, whether hospitalized or in a private substance abuse treatment center. Other people are referencing outpatient treatment. This can vary from daily programs to weekly support groups, often beginning with a more intensive schedule and tapering off. Of course, there are varying kinds of addiction treatment counseling as well, which range from individual sessions to group therapy.
When considering different kinds of addiction treatment, it's important to look at the needs of the individual person. To start at the most basic level, how severe is their physical, chemical dependence on the drug(s) or alcohol? For some people, detox is a very difficult step in the process because of the physical and emotional intensity of the experience. The longer and more frequently a drug is used, the more likely it is that the brain will normalize to a drug-induced state. It can be days, weeks, or even months before the body re-adjusts to "normal" conditions.
After detoxing, people have a variety of treatment options. For many, a substance abuse treatment center is a good option. Being able to heal and undergo addiction treatment counseling in a safe place where drugs are unavailable and the support of a like-minded group of people is a very strong catalyst for many people to make changes. It can be hard to re-enter everyday life after such an intense experience, especially when all of one's focus is on creating a newly sober lifestyle. For this reason, many people choose to transition into sober houses, sometimes called halfway houses. This allows them to attend school or hold down a job while still living in an environment specifically designed to help them stay sober.
Addition treatment counseling does not stop after leaving an intensive program. For many people, continuing with group counseling is the best way to stay connected to those that are living their lives with an intention and focus on sobriety. Even if the newly sober person avoids their old friends, they may find that society in general does not support their efforts. There is nothing offensive about being offered a beer or a glass of wine in a social setting, but this can be a challenge when alcohol is exactly what you are trying to avoid. Making contact with people who are living their lives substance-free is the best way to find new ways to socialize.
12-step programs are, for the above mentioned reasons, one of the most popular long term programs that people choose when they are looking for a group to connect to. Most people attend either AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or NA (Narcotics Anonymous). There are related groups that are meant for the family and friends of these groups that can help your loved ones better understand and support you in what you are going through. They can also talk about their difficulties with the process. Ultimately, these kind of connections can be the difference between staying sober and "falling off the wagon," as they say.
Written by Melissa Bryson. Sober College is a young adult drug rehab and addiction treatment center located in California. More information available at http://www.sobercollege.com
