What does FREEDOM DEADDICTION Facilitate?

Visit our FREEDOM featured alcohol and drug rehab facility - nationally recognized for providing effective, state of the art treatment in the areas of drug addiction, alcoholism and associated disorders.

What goes on in "drug rehab"?

Whether we call it "drug rehab" or rehabilitation, both mean the same:

- An initial psychosocial evaluation.
- Detoxification or "detox".
- Classes to learn about addiction and alcoholism and associated issues.
- Obtaining and maintaining complete abstinence from mood and mind altering substances.
- Individual therapy sessions.
- Family therapy or a family program.
- Group Therapy.
- 12 step meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.

Why go to "drug or alcohol rehab"?

Removal of denial is a major hurdle for every person to overcome. In most cases, the drug addict or alcoholic tend to minimize their use and the consequences associated with it. They tend to block out or deny the negative impact drug or alcohol abuse is having on themselves and their family. While in drug or alcohol rehab, thru the use of various clinical techniques, patients are assisted in "breaking" thru their denial and working towards accepting and taking responsibility for their actions.

The initial goal to achieve while in rehab is abstinence. As long as drug or alcohol remain in the blood stream, a person's thought process remains somewhat distorted. This process of gradual clearing may take days or even weeks as a person progresses through their detoxification process or "detox". As a person's system clears, so does their thought process. In cases, where a person's thought process remains "clouded", a psychiatric evaluation may be in order.

One aspect of addiction and alcoholism shared by everyone is the deterioration of personal relationships. People begin to isolate, as loneliness and depression set in. The rehab experience places addicts and alcoholics in an environment focused on the sharing of Similar experiences. It is widely accepted that the bond that takes place between recovering people is unmatched. This process helps in creating strong interpersonal relationships. In many cases, these relationships will serve to form the beginning of a person's new support system.

Some people think rehab is a form of brain washing. While it is not, professionals nationwide tend to agree that most of the brains addicts and alcoholics bring into rehab with them, could use a good washing. Many of the belief systems addicts or alcoholics depend upon have created exactly what they have today. Through educational classes, lectures and reviewing recovery literature, you will begin to replace old ideas with new ones, designed towards achieving and maintaining a long term recovery. Don't worry; you will still be able to have fun!!

What is addiction treatment about?

Treatment can take many different forms, vary in length of time and take place in a variety of settings. For many, treatment is a long term process that involves multiple attempts to achieve recovery. No single drug or alcoholism treatment approach is appropriate for everyone, but most incorporate the following levels of care:

Detoxification and Medical Stabilization
This focus of this component is to stabilize the patient medically and institute a protocol which allows the body to rid itself from all addictive substances, safely and comfortably. Secondly, it prepares the person for the next level of care necessary to achieve long term recovery.

Rehabilitation or Residential Care
The purpose of this level of care is for a person to learn the personal skills necessary to change behavior. They will confront belief systems, address issues within the family and resolve any feelings and issues impeding their recovery.

Outpatient Care
This level of care allows a person to put into practice that which they have learned in residential treatment, while continuing to address the issues that present themselves on a daily basis. These issues or challenges are addressed in a clinical setting, with a licensed addiction or mental health therapist.

Continuing Care or Aftercare
This level of care is designed to maintain a person's long term recovery. Issues such as relapse prevention, attendance at 12 step support groups, development of daily living skills and healthy support systems are of paramount importance.

How do you decide between Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment?

There is a very simple criteria set forth to help you make this type of decision. A person appropriate for Outpatient treatment must be able:

• To accept responsibility for their problem and actions associated with it.
• Abstain from their drug of choice for at least 72 hours.
• Communicate a willingness to attend counseling several times a week.
• Have never attended outpatient treatment before.
• Those who cannot meet this criteria are probably best suited for Inpatient care treatment.

What if a person has an addiction and psychiatric problem present at the same time?

The key element here is locating a addiction treatment facility that employs medical professionals who specialize in addiction medicine and psychiatry. The addictionologist, a physician who specializes in addiction medicine, can accurately assess any addiction issues. The psychiatrist is available to assess the patient from a psychiatric point of view. Together they can collaborate on appropriate medications, as well as, whether the presenting psychological symptoms are a result of years of drug and alcohol use and will clear over time or whether psychiatric medication is the solution. It is difficult to access this situation while a person is still in detox, as many of the symptoms associated with withdrawal mimic psychiatric symptoms. A complete evaluation may not be able to be accurately completed until a person has completed detoxification. People do recover when addiction and psychiatric problems coexist.

What if someone has been in drug rehab or alcoholism treatment before?

Addiction and alcoholism are chronic diseases which leave a person prone to relapse. As such, it is not unusual for a person to experience multiple treatment episodes prior to achieving long term recovery. Most individuals that experience long term recovery have relapsed at some point in their addiction recovery process and that relapse ends up being the springboard to abstinence.

When relapse occurs and you are considering reentering treatment there are several questions you might want to ask yourself:

• Is there a source of enabling that is sabotaging the person's recovery?
• Was a "true" recovery program ever in place?
• Did the person follow their aftercare plan?
• Is there a particular issue the person needs to resolve?
• Is the drug or alochol rehab program the person is considering entering able to meet their special needs?
• Did the person attend 12 step meetings regularly?

What if the drug addict or alcoholic doesn't feel they have a problem?

Denial is certainly part of the recovery process and is to be expected. Addicts and alcoholics are rarely honest when it comes to describing their drug or alcohol use, especially when speaking with loved ones. Regardless of the person's initial motivation, lack of willingness or lack of honesty, if they will go to treatment, take them. One of the primary responsibilities of the treatment team is to deal with patient resistance. There are not very many people who like change. If your friend or loved one calls you from treatment and wants to leave and is still minimizing their problem, do not take any type of action before speaking with the person's primary therapist at the treatment center. Chances are they might just want to use drugs or alcohol again. For those people in complete denial and unwilling to access treatment, you might need to seek the services of a trained interventionist.

Why can't an alcoholic or drug addict just quit on their own?

Almost everyone who has suffered from drug addiction or alcoholism was under the belief that they would be able to either control or stop using drugs and alcohol on their own. They truly embraced the belief that things would never get out of control. Most attempts to stop or slow down result in a return to their drug of choice. Professionals associated with addiction medicine acknowledge that long term drug and alcohol use result in significant changes in brain chemistry. These changes may persist long after drug or alcohol use is discontinued. These changes in brain function may have behavioral consequences, including the compulsion to use drugs or alcohol despite adverse consequences. This is the defining characteristic of addiction. When you couple the aspect of craving and withdrawal symptoms with this concept, it is easy to understand why so many people find it difficult to recover without treatment.

Addiction and alcoholism are viewed as a disease and are progressive and chronic. If left untreated they can even be fatal. The good news is this disease can be placed into remission with complete abstinence. The bad news is that it will reappear the moment a drink or a drug enters the system. You know a person is an addict or alcoholic when a person experiences cravings, is preoccupied with the next drink or drug and continues use in spite of adverse consequences.

How is substance abuse, drug rehab or alcoholism treatment paid for?

It is our experience that most private health insurance plans do provide for substance abuse treatment. In most cases, an 800 number will be located on the reverse side of your card which you can call and receive benefit information.

Please keep in mind, that although they will provide you with benefit information, it does not mean you can access all of those benefits. That depends upon the acuity of the patient, their progress

while in treatment and the relationship the treatment center has with the particular carrier. After speaking with the insurance carrier, we urge you to have the treatment center verify the benefits and they will be able to tell you exactly what the personal responsibility is.

For those people without insurance or private funds, there are facilities which are funded by state and federal agencies. The fees for these facilities generally follow a sliding scale.

How important a role does the family play in the drug or alcohol addiction treatment?

The family's role is of paramount importance. Years of drug and alcohol abuse greatly affects the honesty, trust and level of communication that exists within the family unit. As such, a quality treatment center will offer a "family program" rather than just treat the addict or alcoholic. A family program is usually several days in duration and explores the strengths and weaknesses that exist within the family unit. Spending this time together, under the supervision of a therapist trained in family dynamics, produces a healing experience unmatched by family therapy sessions. One of the reasons this healing experience is so dynamic in a family program is that other recovering families participate in the process. The sharing of feelings and experiences between families goes a long way towards promoting intimacy, hope and healing.

How can I locate a quality addiction treatment centre?

While most addiction and alcohol treatment programs believe they are the best, the truth is one center can not be everything to everybody. Some people have special needs, others may have financial restrictions, while others still feel ill equipped to make such an important life altering decision. The best way to locate a quality treatment center is to speak to a professional in this field.

How long should someone spend in a drug rehab or alcoholism treatment?

The length of time a person needs to spend in drug rehab or alcoholism treatment varies from person to person.

Factors that need to be taken into consideration are:

• Length of time someone has been using drugs or alcohol.
• Their method of use.
• The severity of use.
• Their social support network.
• Their level of motivation and willingness.
• Severity of medical or psychiatric issues.
• Their living environment living environment.
• Severity of medical or psychiatric issues.
• Their living environment living environment.
• Number of times in treatment before.

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