Best Drug Rehab reviews and answers 10 frequently asked questions about drug rehabilitation

How can I tell if someone is addicted?

Look for signs and signals, which can include:

§  Glassy eyes.

§  Dramatic weight loss; gaunt appearance.

§  Uncharacteristic weight gain. 

§  Drop in personal appearance; increasingly dirty or unkempt.

§  Decline in job performance; absenteeism; dismissal.

§  Lack of interest in activities or hobbies the person once enjoyed.

§  Traffic violations, such as DUI.

§  Lack of goals or aspirations; adopting a “nothing really matters” attitude.

§  The person goes missing and refuses to adequately explain where he/she went.

§  Stops seeing friends or family.

§  Broken relationships.

§  Changes in eating habits; lack of appetite.

§  Sleeping oddities; up at night or sleeps in daytime.

§  Theft; criminal activity.

§  Alarming sexual habits; uses sex to obtain money or drugs.

§  Violent moods swings; hostile behavior.

§  Attempts to hurt self or others.

What can I do to get myself or a loved one off drugs or alcohol?

The first thing to realize is that drugs and alcohol are essentially poisons. They provide a fleeting escape, a chemical high and a false reality. Just as certain as the highs are the lows; the deeper and deeper into addiction, the lower the lows. The next thing to know is that rehabilitation is available and that there are people who have dedicated their lives to helping others free themselves from the bonds of addiction. The third thing to do is get some education in the different types of rehabilitation. Once you have decided which type of rehab is best for your situation, then your next move is taking the steps necessary to enter yourself (or your friend or loved one) into the rehab program. This transition can be difficult. A good rehab center would have a professional staff that is well-versed in helping people through this rough period.

What is “rock bottom” and should I wait for it?

“Rock Bottom” can be the realization an addict has that he or she has hit a low point in life. It could be described as an epiphany – a moment of sudden revelation or insight. It could have a positive or negative connotation. If you, a friend, or a loved one has decided “enough is enough” – that the time has come to do something about the situation – then the best response is to run with it and get yourself, the friend, or loved one into rehab. But what if this “epiphany” has not happened? Does one just do nothing and wait? The answer is a resounding “NO”. The reason is that in the world of drug addiction, “rock bottom” can mean over dose, hospitalization, and death. An organized intervention is one approach. Another method is one-on-one communication with the user. Whatever the approach, one is trying to get that person to look objectively at their situation, and realize they had better do something about it. It doesn’t have to be a dramatic realization; they may have to look at it in small increments. With some work, a person can come to see they would be much better off without their chemical crutch.

What is the difference between a “drug user” and an “addict”?

We’ve all heard of “recreational drug use.” Any drug use essentially has the same motivations. Primary amongst these motivations are: to escape from unwanted emotions or sensations, to retreat from life’s problems, and to numb the effects of pain or trauma. Even “boredom” is an unwanted sensation for which drug use may appear the solution. A drug user is someone who uses drugs. An addict simply cannot stop. How did the addict become an addict? By using! Thus the line between user and addict is often blurred. Many an addict tells the story of waking up one day and realizing they are an addict. They were already an addict; they just hadn’t realized it.  

Is rehab necessary for prescription drug abuse?

According to recent statistics, prescription drug abuse has now reached pandemic proportions. As reported in the LA Times, drug related deaths now surpass traffic fatalities in the United States. The statistic doesn’t even take into account the number of traffic accidents that are drug or alcohol related.  This spike is largely due to the rise in abuse of “opioids” like OxyContin, Vicodin, and other psychoactive prescription drugs. The users just don’t swallow the pills; they crush, snort, smoke, or inject them. Due to these factors, the need for inpatient rehab has grown. A growing number of individuals – often young people – are dependent on a “cocktail” of such drugs, making the need for professional rehab even more pronounced.  

What are the different methods of rehab?

Some of the more “traditional” or “conventional” systems lean heavily on the use of replacement (substitute) drugs, such as methadone for opiates. Many centers are also oriented around a version of the 12 Step program. A relatively new and successful approach is the holistic center. Truly holistic detox assists a person in becoming 100% free from chemical dependency or addiction. Holistic rehabilitation means utilizing various methodologies at the same center to facilitate the requirements of each individual. At Best Drug Rehabilitation, these include various forms of counseling, communication training, life-skills courses, faith-based programs, 12 Steps, nutrition, fitness, martial arts, yoga, Native American track, and other elements – all designed to create a truly holistic recovery.

What is detoxification?

Detoxification (abbreviated detox) is the process of ridding the body of harmful drugs or toxins. The first step of rehabilitation is detox from drugs or alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms for an addict can be very uncomfortable and very painful; thus various methods exist to minimize these factors. One method is a precise, medically supervised process wherein the drugs – particularly prescription drugs – are gradually tapered off. Protracted drug and alcohol abuse brings about severe nutritional deficiencies. Vitamins and minerals – vital for metabolism – have been drained to the point where the body of the addict is essentially “eating itself.”  A breakthrough in holistic detox is the replenishment of these nutrients, through nutritional management and supplements. These and other processes act to reduce the pain and discomfort associated with withdrawal.    

How long does rehab take?

Length of time in rehab can vary greatly. There are in-patient and out-patient centers; programs can range from weeks to months. At Best Drug Rehabilitation, each enrollee gets an individually tailored program, in keeping with the holistic nature of the center. Time to get through the program varies from person to person. The most important thing is to achieve the result of a drug-free individual who is successful in life. Contact a Best Drug Rehabilitation professional who can get more information from you on your specific case.

How is relapse dealt with?

               

Many people who enter into rehabilitation have already been through more than one rehab program. They are back in rehab because they “relapsed”. At Best Drug Rehabilitation, we consider that each person is starting with a clean slate. Unfortunately, no rehab program can claim 100% success; such is the nature of drug and alcohol addiction. If a person has relapsed, making them guilty does no good whatsoever. The correct action is to help them deal with it, which could require further rehab steps.

How do I choose the right rehab program?

Choosing the right program involves a number of factors, including:

§  Substance being abused.

§  Length of time the person has had drug or alcohol problems.

§  Medical history.

§  Previous attempts at rehab.

§  Any criminal offenses.

§  Any history of abuse (physical, sexual).

§  Willingness level of the individual.

In deciding upon the right center for you or your loved one, some of the factors to take into account:

·         Effectiveness of program.

·         Medications used in withdrawal.

·         Does detox mean the person will be gotten off all drugs or will a replacement drug be used?

·         Nutrition; use of vitamins and minerals.

·         Spiritual aspect of the program.

·         Is the program multi-denominational?

·         Involvement of family in the program.

·         Cost of program.

·         Does the center have a comprehensive relapse prevention program?

·         Friendliness and professionalism of the staff.

Everyone will have their own criteria in choosing a rehab program. You getting all your questions answered is an integral part of the process. Ultimately, each person is unique and requires a program to suit their individual needs. Best Drug Rehabilitation works to tailor such a program in order to achieve maximum results.