Drug rehabs offer hope for recovery from addiction

Twelve step programs are often credited with doing what some many think are impossible: to get the seemingly hopeless drug addict or alcoholic on the road to recovery.

But while these 12-step programs are a significant part of recovery in the long term, often more intervention is required in the early stages of recovery. And this intervention can come in the form of drug rehabs. These rehab programs kick-start the recovery process, breaking the pattern of addiction so that the recovery process can begin.

Rehabilitation facilities take a multi-disciplinary approach to tackling addiction. In-patient drug rehabs start the process by placing the addict in a controlled environment - separated from their substance of choice and from problematic individuals like dealers and other drug users.

The drug rehabs start with the basics to stabilize the routine of the drug addict. This means establishing regular sleeping habits, good nutrition, and exercise. This is the beginning of the process of returning the addicts to a stable environment that creates a foundation for recovery.

The next stage for drug rehabs is often to begin the process of educating the addict about triggers, stress management, anger, and how our thought processes can lead us to use drugs. Once we become more aware of the mechanisms that lead us to use, we can begin to change the pattern.

The drug rehabs can also help the addict to replace their drug using activities with new, healthier behaviours. These can include exercise and diet, recreation, job searching, and education.

Relapse prevention is another area that drug rehabs will address. While many experts in the field see relapse as a part of the recovery process, drug rehabs will seek to help the addict understand the mechanics of relapse so they can recognize the danger signs. Armed with this information, the addict can see a possible relapse coming and take action to protect themselves.

Another element of the process used by drug rehabs is group therapy. This is an opportunity for addicts to share their experiences and feelings with other addicts in a therapeutic setting under the supervision of an experienced staff counsellor.

Some drug rehabs offer relatively short-term therapy of just a few weeks, while some offer long-term services that can continue for a year or more.

Of course, some drug rehabs operate on an out-patient basis. They offer the same kinds of counselling and educational workshops, but the addict goes to his or her own home at the end of the day. They would usually also be responsible for taking care of their own meals and transportation.

Both with in-patient and out-patient drug rehabs, one-on-one counselling is also often part of the program. This gives the client an opportunity to address some of their personal issues with a trained professional in a more intimate setting than group work can offer.

Different drug rehabs use different approaches to the treatment of addiction. Some base their therapy on 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. Some use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, a psychotherapeutic approach that addresses issues related to dysfunctional emotions and behaviours.