| Choosing a drug abuse treatment center is an | | | | an atmosphere that will help facilitate the addict's |
| important decision. Not just another hospital treating | | | | recovery. |
| a disease, the drug abuse treatment center is an | | | | Detoxification |
| important element in helping an addict overcome | | | | Detoxification will be the main objective in the first |
| addiction and develop an ongoing strategy toward | | | | part of the treatment. By eliminating the drug from |
| preventing a relapse. Forcing an addict to admit to a | | | | the addict's body, withdrawal symptoms will be |
| treatment center is rarely successful, and neither are | | | | decreased, and the patient will start to feel in control |
| purely mechanical or chemical treatments likely to | | | | of themselves in the process. It is crucial that the |
| prevent further drug abuse. Instead, the ideal drug | | | | drug abuse treatment center have a professional, |
| abuse treatment center will recognize that focusing | | | | trained staff to deal with this traumatic element of |
| on patients regaining their sense of self-esteem, and | | | | the treatment. Depending on the drug, the first |
| respecting their pride and dignity will result in a much | | | | stages of withdrawal can be a tremendous physical |
| more successful treatment. The most effective drug | | | | and psychological ordeal. The facility should be well |
| abuse treatment centers will target their program | | | | equipped to handle all aspects of the detoxification, |
| around the core issues of mutual respect and | | | | and should provide a safe and controlled environment |
| understanding, and allow the addict to regain their | | | | in which the patient can recover and move on to the |
| sense of self. | | | | next stage of the treatment. |
| Drug Abuse: The Hidden Cost | | | | Recovery from Drug Abuse |
| Drug Abuse comes in many forms. It can be used to | | | | The recovery process is an ongoing aspect in the |
| describe athletes using performance enhancing | | | | treatment of drug abuse. The drug abuse treatment |
| substances, overuse of a prescription medicine, as | | | | center will help the recovering addict to regain a |
| well as alcohol abuse and use of illegal narcotics. Drug | | | | sense of control over their life, and provide them |
| dependency operates on both a physical and an | | | | with mental tools to support themselves once they |
| emotional level, and leaves addicts incapable of | | | | are ready to leave the facility and get back into the |
| relating to anything other than their intense desire for | | | | world. Again, a personal touch is important as each |
| further drug use. Drug addictions often destroy | | | | addict will experience recovery in his or her own way. |
| families, friendships, and careers. In addition to altering | | | | Friends and family are important at this time, and |
| their personality and affecting their lifestyle, habitual | | | | reconnecting with them can be a critical step in |
| drug use often leads to kidney and liver failure, | | | | recovery. Sometimes, the loss of trust is so acute |
| increased risk of infectious disease, and a general | | | | that it can be difficult to find friends and family willing |
| breakdown of health and vitality. It is estimated that | | | | to help in the recovery. A good drug abuse |
| over 28 million Americans are abusing drugs. | | | | treatment center will help bridge the gap, and get the |
| Treatment Options for Drug Abuse | | | | much needed support the recovering addict needs. |
| Each drug abuse treatment center will have its own | | | | Conclusion |
| approach to overcoming addiction. Also, each | | | | The effective drug abuse treatment center is one |
| treatment will need to be tailored not only to the | | | | which recognizes the addict as a real person, with a |
| specific form of addiction, but also to the drug addict | | | | real problem. At their core, they should understand |
| himself. For example, the treatment for a heroin | | | | that increasing a patient's sense of self-esteem, and |
| addiction will differ from the treatment for an alcohol | | | | providing an atmosphere of dignity and respect are |
| dependency, just as the treatment of a | | | | critical to a successful recovery. At the same time, |
| happy-go-lucky alcoholic will differ from the treatment | | | | they must be prepared to deal with all aspects of |
| of a suicidal alcohol abuser. | | | | the difficult drug withdrawal and detoxification phase, |
| Choosing the right drug abuse treatment center can | | | | and be able to provide the patient with the |
| be an overwhelming experience, particularly if the | | | | psychological tools they will need to deal with life 'on |
| addict is without support of friends and family. | | | | the outside'. Also, they should be able to facilitate |
| Preparing a list of questions to ask, and calling several | | | | healing damage between family and friends, and |
| different drug abuse treatment centers will give an | | | | enlisting their help in the ongoing recovery process. |
| overview of the type of treatment available. There | | | | The drug abuse treatment center is a cornerstone to |
| should be a professional, trained staff with a good | | | | helping a recovering drug addict to beat the addiction |
| track record of successful treatments. The facilities | | | | and find their way back into their life. |
| themselves should be clean and safe, preferably with | | | | |