Rehabilitation
What is rehabilitation? Rehabilitation can be defined as any process that seeks to restore the patient to a previous level of health as related to matters of physical and emotional well being.
Drug rehabilitation may take place in a rehabilitation center, especially if there are other health issues that need to be addressed during the rehabilitation process. However, many people are able to overcome addiction and become fully rehabilitated through regular participation with substance abuse counseling groups or by spending time in a halfway house. Drug rehabilitation is a specific form of learning and retraining that also generally involves both physical and emotional counseling as part of the rehab process. Physical factors can involve helping the addict to deal with physical cravings, while counseling is helpful in weakening the emotional bonds that tie the addict to his or her drug habit.
Drugrehab.us indicates many things that can occur during drug rehabilitation. They indicate that the process may differ somewhat depending on the rehabilitation center, but generally the following elements are included:
First, there will be a physical assessment. When an individual starts drug rehab, a physician may spend some time with the individual to assess their addiction and create a detoxification plan. The detox plan will be based on the types of drugs they were using, so it is critical that they are honest with the physician about every drug they have taken recently.
Second, there will be a psychological assessment where a psychiatrist may assess the individual for issues such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, or other emotional or psychological issues. This first assessment is not considered a “final” one, because the fact the individual may still be under the influence of drugs may impact this assessment. For example, drugrehab.us indicates that some people may feel depressed at this point, but once they are completely free of drugs, the depression lifts.
Third, actual detoxification will take place. For many people, this process is the most frightening. However, most rehabilitation centers are experienced in developing a treatment plan for detoxification that will be as comfortable as possible. The rehabilitation center will often use medications to ease symptoms of withdrawal. The best rehabilitation centers will only use these substitutes for a short period of time to facilitate withdrawal, the goal being complete freedom from mood-altering drugs.
Fourth, the individual will engage in therapy. Much evidence shows that group therapy is the most effective form of therapy treatment for combating drug addiction. Drugrehab.us further indicates that, “although individual therapy is also important, there is no compelling evidence that more individual and less group therapy is effective. In fact, the opposite is true. By connecting with others who have your same impulses and compulsions, you develop strategies to remain free of drugs and alcohol.”
Fifth, most rehabilitation programs recognize that physical fitness is key to recovering the health of the body, mind, and spirit. It has been shown that physical exercise triggers endorphins, the body’s natural chemicals that make you feel good. It is critical that individuals develop ways to feel good without drugs or alcohol, and physical exercise is a healthy way to do that.
Sixth, drugrehab.us emphasizes the importance of the impact that eating a healthy diet can make individuals feel in recovery. It has been shown that maintaining an “even keel” with one’s blood sugar helps with cravings of every kind. Too many processed carbohydrates make individuals feel sluggish whereas too much sugar can increase mood swings.
Seventh, alternative approaches may be examined in rehabilitation. Some rehabilitation centers offer alternative therapies for individuals in treatment. For instance, acupuncture has been shown to be a highly effective pain management treatment, and is very popular among recovering addicts who have chronic pain. Meditation, massage, yoga, and equine therapy are also often used in rehabilitation.
Eight, the rehabilitation center will work with the individual to create an after-care plan. Many individuals are hesitant to leave the rehabilitation center, fearful of falling back into old patterns and behaviors. The plan generally includes specific strategies and even people to contact when the individual returns home.
Last, being discharged, or released, form rehabilitation can be many things. It may be joyous, or exciting. Discharge from rehab may also be frightening or produce anxiety. But, if the individual follows the after care plan given by the rehabilitation center and avoids triggers, they will have the best chance of long-term recovery after rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation is difficult and exhausting, but, for many individuals, rehabilitation can be the most important step in their recovery that points them in the right direction toward a final and complete recovery from drug and/or alcohol abuse.