Residential Treatment of Substance Addiction in Southern California
Breaking free of an addiction can be quite difficult. That is especially true if the person struggling with addiction is trying to break the habit on their own. A better approach would be to seek professional help from a rehabilitation center.
Such a place has some of the best trained and experienced professionals to handle the issues that often arise. An addiction treatment center also has state of the art facilities to help make the process of recovery easier.
Treatment in such a place can take different forms with one of the most effective being inpatient or residential treatment. But before delving into the issue of inpatient treatment, it may be prudent to get a clearer picture of what addiction is and how it affects the patient and their loved ones.
Why is it so Hard to Break Free of Addiction?
A lot of people tend to misunderstand addiction, which is why it is common to find family members, friends and work colleagues despising or scolding an individual that is struggling with addiction.
The truth is that addiction is a condition that is quite potent. While the use of drugs and alcohol may begin as a voluntary activity, after the development of addiction you no longer have the ability to resist use.
Substance addiction causes an individual to seek and use drugs compulsively. That is because exposure to drugs and alcohol causes a long-term effect on the part of the brain that deals with reward and motivation, learning and memory, and control over behavior.
It is therefore true to say that addiction is a disease that affects an individual’s brain and behavior. With that in mind, it is worth pointing out that your struggling brother, sister, friend or child may genuinely desire to stop using drugs or drinking alcohol. But because of the compulsive nature of addiction, they may not be able to quit unless they get professional help.
Residential Treatment of Addiction
One of the most effective ways of dealing with addiction is to get residential treatment. This form of treatment requires that the individual struggling with addiction stays at the rehabilitation center for the full duration of treatment.
The duration of time in which a patient stays at a particular facility depends on various factors. Some people may stay for 30 days while others may be required to stay for up to 90 days. Understanding some of the benefits of residential treatment can be key to appreciating why it may just be the ideal option for you or a loved one.
Benefits of Residential Treatment in Dana Point
Residential care is often recommended for individuals that have severe cases of addiction. Below are some of the benefits of this type of treatment.
24-hour support
While at a residential treatment center, a patient is in the presence of qualified personnel at all times. This means that in case of any emergency, the patient will get immediate assistant.
Keep in mind that severe cases of addiction require detoxification. And during that period, different health problems may arise. Failure to respond immediately may lead to pain and a lot of discomfort.
Wholesome meals
While at home, a patient may not be able to get the ideal diet. However, while staying at a residential treatment facility, the patient gets the opportunity to eat the most ideal diet. Nutritionist at the facility provide customized diets to ensure that a patient gets the right nutrients at the right time. That can be key to making progress during recovery.
Free time to relax
While at a residential treatment facility, the patient does not have to engage in certain chores that they would otherwise have to deal with at home. That gives them enough time to relax and rejuvenate. Issues such as laundry, cooking and laundry are taken care of by the facility’s staff.
Supervised medication
Residential treatment allows the doctor to carry out ongoing assessment on the patient. It is also important to note that administration of medicine is supervised. That means that a patient cannot miss a dose, underdose or overdose.
Less pressure and temptation
While receiving residential treatment, a patient is taken away from a potentially toxic environment to one that has ideal conditions for recovery. Residential facilities are often set up in quiet environments away from the loud noises of night clubs and bars that may otherwise cause temptations.
It is also true that individuals at the facility have limited interactions with the outside world and that can help reduce stress and pressure of dealing with certain people. Such an environment allows the patient to have enough time to rethink their choices and develop new priorities moving forward.
What Happens During Residential Treatment?
While at a residential treatment center, the following are likely to take place.
Medical care
Because some patients may have underlying health issues, it is important to have a professional doctor running tests and examinations to determine the most appropriate way to remedy the situation. You can therefore expect to receive medications as prescribed.
Detoxification
Detoxification refers to a process through which an addictive substance is eliminated from the body. Individuals who have been exposed to drugs or alcohol for a long time, tend to go through severe side-effects when they stop using the said substances. That is why it is important for such individuals to stay at the treatment facility.
Some of the side-effects that may occur include severe headaches, chills, abdominal pain, muscle cramps, depression, nausea and vomiting.While undergoing the detox process, there are always skilled personnel that help manage the situation. They make the patient feel as comfortable as possible.
Individual behavioral therapy
During this therapy, a specialist is likely to observe the patient’s response to specific triggers. Once they identify possible problems, they are likely to recommend better ways of dealing with the triggers to prevent falling back into the trap of substance use.
This therapy session is on a one on one basis. That makes it easier for the patient to open up and talk about their personal issues. It also allows the specialist to come up with personalized solutions for each patient.
Group therapy
During this session, patients are required to form a group that is then moderated by a specialist. Individuals in the group are often people with similar experiences. This allows each one to share what they have gone through and how they have learnt to cope.
Such sharing of information helps encourage members and allows everyone to learn from the other. And because such a group allows people to be open and speak without being judged, many patients often find emotional healing during these sessions.
Specialized sessions
In some cases, a patient may have to attend specialized sessions that are aimed at dealing with specific problems. Some of the things that may take place during such sessions include anger management, grief counseling, coping skills or spiritual nourishment.
Family therapy
Substance addiction does not only affect an individual. Instead it can have profound effects on members of the family and even close friends. Indeed it is common to find many people becoming bitter or resentful of their loved ones because of addiction.
To help resolve such issues, rehab centers often schedule family therapy sessions. This helps everyone express their thoughts and feelings in an open and non-confrontational manner. At the end of the day, everyone ends up understanding what their loved one goes through.
It is during such sessions that strained relations can be mended while better or stronger bonds are formed. All this can be key to recovery and future productivity.
Physical exercise
Staying fit is key to enjoying good health. That is why most rehabilitation centers have a gym where patients can go to workout. Fitness training not only boost the immune system, but can also occupy the patient’s mind such that they stop thinking of when they will get their next fix.
Addiction Treatment Goals
Residential treatment for substance addiction often has well defined goals that are supposed to be achieved. One of these goals is to help the patient stop any further use of substance. By moving to the rehabilitation center, the patient is taken away from exposure to alcohol or drugs. Basically they have no access to any of the things that are causing the addiction.
The second goal is to help the patient develop important life skills for resisting the temptation to use substance again. This goal is usually achieved after some time. In some instances the individual may be able to stay sober after 30 days while others may need even more time to fully overcome their addiction.
Mending relationships
Because addiction may compromise various relationships, the ideal rehabilitation center usually tries to help those affected mend their relationships. That is why family therapy sessions are usually arranged.
Productivity
Because addiction almost always destroys productivity, professional treatment is aimed at helping individuals become productive members of society once again.
Get Into Rehab Now
Now that you know addiction treatment is possible, there is no need to keep struggling with the issue. Whether you are the one with the problem or know of someone that is going through it, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Dana Point, Orange County Claifornia treatment center for more help.