Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation: An In-Depth Look at the Treatment Process

Medication Medication is commonly utilized to address different sides of the treatment process. Though they do not directly cure the addiction, they play an important role in helping patients get past it, especially when combined with effective therapy. 1. Withdrawal Medication – Going to withdrawal is completely normal when it comes to getting past your drug addiction. Withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and sweating occur unavoidably upon the discontinuation of drug intake, and most rehab centers provide medications to assist them. Once drug cravings diminish, withdrawal medication is reduced, but further treatment will be provided to ensure that patients will not show drug abuse patterns that suggest a potential relapse. 2. Treatment – While withdrawal medication is administered to prevent or ease symptoms specific to drug withdrawal, the primary treatment they receive is intended to help them reestablish normal brain function, prevent relapse, and diminish cravings. Depending on the type of drugs you are addicted to, you might receive treatments for opioids (e.g. morphine and heroin), stimulants (e.g. methamphetamine and cocaine), cannabis (marijuana), tobacco (nicotine) and alcohol. Polydrug users – those people who take different types of drugs, e.g. opioids, stimulants and alcohol – will receive treatment for all of the substances they use. Common medications based on drug type include: • Opioids: buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone • Tobacco: bupropion, varenicline • Alcohol: naltrexone, disulfiram, acamprosate and topiramate

Behavioral Treatment When it comes to proper drug rehabilitation, medication alone is not sufficient to cure the addiction. Different types of behavioral treatment are necessary in order to successfully treat it, as they encourage the patients to modify their attitude related to drug abuse, and also change their lifestyle. Medication should be used only in conjunction with behavioral treatment to ensure that patients will be able to get past their addiction, as it will make the first more efficient, helping them cure faster. 1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy – This type of therapy encourages patients to seek, avoid and cope with situations that might determine them to abuse drugs again in the future. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is important because it allows addicts to acknowledge the possibility to take drugs again if they come across specific situations, determining them to find a suitable solution to either avoid or cope with it. 2. Multidimensional Family Therapy – Behavioral therapy involving the family is typically meant for teenagers who have problems with drug use. This type of therapy addresses a wide range of aspects that relate to their past addiction, helping them improve overall family functioning, encourage members to support each other, and promote healthy communication. 3. Motivational Interviewing – Motivational interviewing usually happens before the patient enters treatment. This type of behavioral therapy is intended to identify their readiness to give up drugs and undergo both medical and behavioral treatment, hence becoming an important first-step to drug rehabilitation. 4. Motivational Incentives – Also known as contingency management, motivational incentives use positive reinforcement to encourage abstinence from drugs, alcohol or tobacco. This type of therapy is typically adjusted to each patient’s unique needs and situation to ensure best results. 5. Group Therapy – Dozens of individuals go to drug rehabs to treat their addiction and learn how to live a life without any of these substances. As such, group therapy is usually part of the treatment, as it allows patients to share their stories, receive and further give advice to others seeking specialty help. Group therapy facilitates creating friendships, and it usually makes the entire rehabilitation process easier, as peer support is unavoidably involved.

Aftercare When choosing a drug rehab Ontario, one of the most important aspects to take note at is aftercare. Once the treatment is completed and the patient is allowed to go home, relapses might unexpectedly occur, especially when there is no further therapy or medication involved. Aftercare ensures that you will never be tempted to abuse drugs again by providing a special medication and therapy plan to help you cope with different day-to-day situations, and avoid those that might induce you to take drugs again.

Final Thoughts Going past drug addiction is not easy, yet it does not have to be a struggle. Going to a rehab Ontario will enable you to receive the treatment you need in order to cope with the addiction and avoid succumbing to temptation. As long as your personalized treatment program involves medication, therapy and aftercare, you can be sure that you will quickly grow apart from these destructive substances with such devastating effects on your life.

Author's Bio: Jane McKeady is a drug rehab Ontario behavioral therapist. Graduate of the University of Guelph, she is registered as a Psychological Associate with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. At the present time, Jane provides behavioral treatment in a popular rehabilitation center in Muskoka, Ontario. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and cooking.

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