Addiction treatment in the U.S. is a growing phenomenon that has led many people to a successful recovery. Many of the philosophies embedded in drug rehab, concerning the different forms of treatment and how to approach them are as old as the day is long; indeed, there has been a continuing quest for finding a better solution to the large-scale issue of substance abuse.
Once an addiction has been medically diagnosed and properly identified, the addict may be advised or mandated to a therapeutic program. There are a few basic types of treatment programs available in the country. Let's look at each one, and the virtues they possess as they compare to one another.
One level of treatment would be participating in weekly sessions with a group counseling program, wherein you sit with others in a circle (or face to face) and discuss your problems. You can also discuss how your problems are being addressed, describe your recovery experience, your day-to-day progress and improvement, etc. Patients are often content with meeting others and vent-out their thoughts about how to handle treatment. It is also a great way to meet new friends and future colleagues.
The function of this form of treatment is to receive professional guidance and advice from licensed therapists, as well as to receive helpful opinions from fellow members of the group. Role playing, such as putting yourself in another person's shoes in order to perceive how and why they deal with excessive drug usage, is a valuable tool often used in group counseling therapy.
Another form of counseling, similar to that of group counseling, involves meeting up with either a certified psychologist or a licensed psychiatrist privately. This is generally more expensive than group therapy, but the great thing about it is that it offers a level of care that is not found in group therapy environments; for example, addiction specialists often dig deeper into the patient's emotional and mental condition concerning his or her addiction. Close, friendly bonds proliferate due to intense counseling. As a result, the client is able to better understand the source of their addiction problem, answering questions such as, "Why do I self-medicate," "How do I generate the proper mental attitude to quit permanently, and "What can I do to make things right for myself and my family and friends." The answers to these questions are pivotal for reaching full recovery; drug addiction isn't only about being physically cured, but emotionally as well. In addition to the Georgia Intensive Outpatient Program, it is important to know that the psychiatrist will seek a medical solution before exhausting the cognitive approach, whereas a psychologist will first listen and talk for the allotted time period.
Another form, which indeed involves more freedom and trust in the patient, is intensive outpatient therapy (IOP). Patients can continue working outside the rehab center and focus on their daily normal lives; they don't have to be a resident of the facility. However, they must check-in with the treatment facility at certain times of the week in order to monitor/track your recovery.
Georgia Intensive Outpatient Program, detox is generally not an issue, neither is it a requirement
Here, addiction is treated using a combination of individual and group counseling sessions between 10 and 15 hours a week. The general rule is that IOP is more effective than individual therapy because of the intensity of the program. Participants must be well-disciplined, be able to live a mostly normal life, go to work, deal with their family, live at home, and still have time to visit their recovery facility. Most rehab centers in the country include the 12-step program for those enlisted in IOP.
The next rung on the treatment-ladder is partial hospitalization. A growing approach over the past 20 years, partial hospitalization is an effective approach because it is less expensive than a full residential program, while offering the best of both worlds: inpatient therapy, which offers intensive and structured care, and outpatient programs, permitting flexible schedules and lower costs. Utilizing this approach does not result in an increased relapse or co-existing diseases or symptoms.
One of the most effective and powerful addiction treatment approaches in the "ladder of resolution" is inpatient care. The addict is required to be a resident of the treatment facility, wherein they will undergo daily activities and programs in accordance to the severity of the addiction. Psychiatrists and medical personnel evaluate the condition of the addict upon their arrival to the facility in order to determine whether or not prescribed/supplemental medication is needed for their condition. Withdrawal pain for some addicts are unbearable, so certain drugs can be prescribed in order to treat these effects and slowly eradicate the initial drug from his or her body. An immediate halt to drugs such as heroin can cause seizures and is not recommended-detox and prescription drugs are able to steadily decrease the user's desire to return to their vice.
In inpatient care, several things occur simultaneously. First, because the addict is in a residential environment on a full-time basis, the chaos at home is quieted. Thanks to the opportunities afforded by 24/7 observations, and working with a myriad of professionals and recovering addicts, the inpatient approach offers the most comprehensive set of therapies to the addict. There are many treatment programs and care services in existence that offer similar care to older individuals.
Choosing the right addiction treatment program for substance abuse in the U.S. is something that should be considered and discussed with professionals prior to making a commitment. Visit as many facilities as you can to assess their applicability to your situation. Remember: It's up to the client to make the decision to recover. All you can do is offer the opportunity.