Rehabilitation is the process of improving the residual functional capacity of a drug dependent person such that the individual can resume his or her expected role within the society. Due to the adverse effects of drug abuse on the dependent user, rehabilitation assists the treated individual to recover those diminished or lost capacities caused by drug dependency. Rehabilitation aims at assisting the drug dependent individual to reintegrate into the community as a productive person.
Most addicts do not quit overnight. Getting sober is a gradual process that can take weeks, months or even years. No matter how long these individuals have been abusing drugs or alcohol or how bad their addiction is, there are certain steps that all abusers must take if they want to learn how to quit abusing drugs. These steps are as follows;
1. Committing to quitting
Getting sober takes time and effort, and those enrolled in a treatment facility must be fully committed to beating their addiction. There are many reasons to commit to getting sober. Many people want to rebuild the relationships they had with their children, spouses or other family members. Others simply want to stop being under the influence of substances that make them behave in ways they should not.
2. Determining and setting goals
It is important to set realistic, clear and specific goals. When these people set goals to gradually quit, they’ll be more prepared for the mental and physical aspects of undergoing treatment. Treatment facilities generally require patients to abstain from drugs and alcohol. However, if they want to stop drinking gradually before starting the treatment program, they should decide on a certain number of drinks they can have per day. They need to ask someone in their household to help them to reduce their consumption over time. Howeveralcoholics,should undergo the detoxification process in a treatment center that is equipped to handle any medical issues as they arise.
3. Choosing a treatment plan
When you want to stop taking drugs or alcohol, you must make sure that you do it in a safe and healthy way. Entering an addiction rehab center can help in many ways. These centers have doctors who know the proper nutrients and medications to give so as to make withdrawal symptoms go as smoothly as possible. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers are designed to keep patients away from the temptation that they may have when trying to get sober alone. After detoxification, these programs can offer emotional support and can provide a plan to avoid relapse.
1. Getting support during treatment
Finding the right support throughout the recovery process is vital to getting sober. There are numerous places and people where addicts and drug dependents can turn to for help, including support groups, family members, close friends and former addicts.Many people attend and follow 12-step programs, including Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. These programs allow patients to be completely honest about their addiction and struggles with getting sober without the fear that what they say will get out into public. Many former addicts attend support group meetings in order to encourage those who are just beginning to live a drug-free life. Some meetings allow former addicts to attend group sessions to share their experiences and struggles. Many rehab centers have 12-step programs that help people to better control their addictions. These programs allow members to obtain sponsors who are willing to guide them through the treatment program.
2. Planning to live an addiction-free life
While rehab and treatment are essential steps at the beginning stages of recovery, planning to have a future lifestyle that is free of drugs and alcohol is essential. The first thing patientsmust do is take care of themselves by building a healthy lifestyle. Eating nutritious meals and getting plenty of rest are important for good health. Exercise will help by releasing endorphins and relieving stress. Another good idea is to start new hobbies that you will find fulfilling. These will improve self-esteem and lessen the appeal of drugs and alcohol. Finding ways to deal with stress is also important. Hobbies and exercise are healthy ways to reduce your stress level. Meditation and breathing exercises are others.
Recovering drug addicts and drug dependents must try to avoid any temptations to take drugs or alcohol by throwing out all the alcohol in their houses and getting rid of any drugs that you have. Stay away from people that have contributed to your addiction or ask them to not drink or use drugs around you. It is important to be honest with people about your limits. Do not attend parties where there will be drugs or alcohol. Taking steps such as these will go a long way in preventing a relapse.
The rehabilitation procedures followed by doctors during rehabilitation are as follows;-
1. Evaluation, Assessment/diagnosis
2. Detoxification/Stabilization
3. Counseling
4. Psychotherapy
5. Combination therapy
6. Family Therapy
7. Drug Education
8. Teaching on Coping Skills
9. Rehabilitation/Reintegration
10. Relapse Prevention (Aftercare/Follow up)
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED DURING TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION
They include:
1. Denial
Like many other problems, drug abuse is often met with denial for both the person with the addiction and that person's close friends and family members. The individual may believe the issue is under control; friends and family may want to believe things are not as bad as they actually are. Even individuals who come face-to-face with the depths of their addictions might avoid a treatment facility for reasons including:
2. Perceived social stigmas associated with being in rehab
It was once common to think of addiction as simply a moral failing. Those who were addicted were thought to lack the moral strength to resist the vice of drug and alcohol abuse.
3. The belief that issues can be overcome without professional help
4. Fear of sharing with others or being vulnerable
5. Financial trouble that makes it hard to pay for treatment
6. Withdrawal problems
Chemical addictions are known for the severe physical and emotional problems of withdrawal, and the difficulty shedding the compulsion to return to dependency. The psychological aspect of these addictions also imposes extreme emotional and social stress, as patients attempt to learn an entirely new approach to the simplest elements in their lives.
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