Drug Rehab Treatment
Addiction can be considered a chronic disease and can be treated and managed like any other disease. Active addiction disrupts the brain’s normal functioning, causing the addict to act in ways that they would not have otherwise acted. Drug rehab treatment allows a person to regain control of their lives and to address emotional, psychological and spiritual maladies in their life. Regaining control of one’s life decreases drug use and the attendant criminal and anti-social behaviors that often accompany addiction. Success of treatment depends upon the willingness of the person to fully engage in the opportunity while the success of long-term recovery increases when the addict’s economic, social and environmental factors are investigated and evaluated.
Relapse is sometimes considered “a part of recovery”, and while some may disagree with that assertion, accepting relapse as a real possibility must be part of a successful treatment plan. Relapse occurs as part of any chronic disease and relapse rates for addiction are similar to for asthma, diabetes and hypertension. Just as for these other chronic diseases, ongoing care and treatment is required for addiction. Relapse often occurs when a person thinks they are “recovered” and stops taking any precautionary measures against relapse, such as 12 step meetings, daily medication or spiritual activities.
Relapse does not mean that treatment is a failure. It can be an opportunity for an addict and those who care about him to review his ongoing treatment plan and to formulate and integrate additional or alternate treatments. Just as in other illnesses, lapses into remission are not an indication that treatment is not working, but are rather a marker that something else may be needed, such as additional counseling, medication or otherwise. Addiction alone is judged by standards not applied to other illnesses and often the addict himself is judged as being morally weak if relapse occurs. Rather than judge the addict for relapse, simple adjustment of their treatment often helps prevent future relapses. Realistically, the addict may not know why relapse occurred. Rarely does an addict make a conscious decision to relapse given the often severe consequences of relapse and the dangers of a return to active addiction. If asked, the addict seldom knows why relapse occurs. Maintaining a vigilant program aimed at prevention of relapse will help the person recognize and understand the thoughts that often accompany relapse. Awareness of one’s disease is a key component of recovery.
Dropping out of drug rehab treatment is one of the major causes of relapse. Early in recovery addicts thinking can be skewed due to heavy drug and alcohol use. Decisions to stop treatment often occur when rational thought is clouded. Techniques to keep persons in treatment become essential and professionals versed in recovery and addict thinking are critical for recovery. Programs of at least 90 days are recommended as a safe and effective treatment period, with preference for longer treatment to ensure a greater likelihood of success. Designing and maintaining a Transitional Program to assist those leaving treatment helps to alleviate the fears and may arise when leaving treatment that may contribute to relapse. Call Hawaii Island Recovery at 1-866-515-5032 to discuss treatment and transitional programs offered in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. You can also contact us via our online form.
Tagged with: Drug Addiction • drug addiction treatment • drug rehab treatment
Filed under: Drug Addiction
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