Clinical drug addiction treatment is the most effective way for substance abusers to achieve lasting recoveries. However, most people still don’t understand what goes on at rehab facilities beyond the detoxification stage. It is crucial for people to understand the methods used at rehab clinics should they or their loved ones every develop addictions. Here are some of the most important stages of drug addiction treatment.
Detoxification
Detox is what most people think of when they think about drug rehab. It lasts five to fourteen days and is designed solely to wean addicts of their physical drug dependencies by depriving them of addictive substances. They are far more capable of engaging their therapies once they overcome their constant compulsions to use drugs or alcohol.
Post Acute Withdrawal Management
For most addicts, the symptoms of post acute withdrawal – or PAWS – set in immediately after the withdrawal of detoxification subsides. These symptoms include depression, paranoia, loss of motor skills, and memory problems. Because this condition is the most serious threat to addicts’ long-term recoveries, rehab clinics now make mitigating its symptoms a top priority.
Counseling
Individual counseling sessions are where addicts make the most progress towards drug-free lives. They begin by discussing and uncovering the root causes of their addictions – when, how, and why they began to abuse drugs. They are then able to develop effective strategies for coping with cravings and avoiding addiction triggers.
Lifestyle Changes
Recovering addicts can only be successful in the long term by adopting positive lifestyle changes. Rehab clinicians teach patients various ways in which they can apply the coping strategies they learn at their clinics to real-world environments. Most clinicians employ reality therapies, as well: Addicts cook, clean, shop, and make their schedules as they would in the outside world in order to create easier transitions from rehab to normal life.
Continued Support
Even the most dedicated rehab patients need help to stay sober after they complete their rehab programs. Most clinics continue to offer individual counseling, and support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous exist all over the country to help addicts share their struggles and establish accountability partnerships. Addiction is an incurable disease, and this kind of continued support is crucial for successful drug addiction treatment.