Realizing that you or your loved one needs help for their growing dependency on drugs or alcohol can be both overwhelming and scary. While you’ve finally accepted that you need professional intervention for your addiction problem, you will probably have no idea where to start, especially if you are a first timer. Drug treatment centers in West Palm Beach have come a long way to find solutions for even the severest of drug addiction cases.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to treating drug addiction victims. We will guide you through what to expect in a standard West Palm Beach drug treatment center when tackling dangerous addictions.
Diagnosis
Before commencing treatment, you will have to undergo a thorough evaluation and assessment to determine the severity of your substance use disorder. These assessments usually are conducted by psychiatrists, licensed drug counselors, or psychologists. The professionals at the drug rehab may use lab tests such as urine and blood tests to assess your drug addiction condition, although they aren’t necessarily diagnostic tests for addiction. Nonetheless, your doctor may use these tests to monitor your treatment and recovery journey. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published by the American Psychiatric Association guides professionals through the diagnosis phase.
Medical detox
Detoxification entails the phase where you wean off your body system the drugs consumed as safely as possible. Depending on the severity of drug addiction, you may experience certain severe withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, insomnia, hallucinations, irregular heartbeats, and headaches, among others. As you would expect, hard drugs such as cocaine, opioids, or marijuana used over a long period may be harder to detox. Drug rehabs are well-staffed and equipped to handle withdrawal therapy by providing 24/7 monitoring and medical attention. In case of a medical emergency, your doctor will be ready to take care of your symptoms and stabilize your condition. Your doctor might administer medications such as methadone or buprenorphine to reduce the withdrawal symptoms and make detoxification bearable.
Behavioral therapy
Drug detoxification alone cannot treat substance addiction. Part of the treatment process demands a form of psychotherapy, behavioral therapy. Therapists conduct counseling sessions with an individual, group, or family. These therapy sessions equip individuals with skills to help you cope with your cravings for drugs. They are also critical in assisting therapists in understanding your condition and its origin in which the results tailor a program ideal for you to get better. Family therapy sessions give you and your loved ones a platform to heal, forgive each other, and strengthen your support system. Behavioral therapy is critical to enhancing your chances of getting better after detox.
Relapse prevention
As part of therapy, your counselors and doctors will help you build skills to help you avoid triggering your drug cravings. Relapse refers to the act of taking drugs again after undergoing addiction treatment. It’s common for people with inadequate skills learned during therapy sessions to fall back into drug use. Your ideal drug treatment center should set aside relapse prevention programs to improve your chances of life-long stability and sobriety.
After-care
Addiction treatment is a life-long process. Nobody walks out of a drug treatment center cured of addiction regardless of the intensity and length of the rehab program. Unfortunately for some people, after being discharged from rehab, they may rediscover their drug abuse habits, which often results in overdose and, in some cases, death. Reputable drug treatment centers will strive to offer continued or after-care support to all patients. You may be requested to continue seeing your therapist for monitoring and additional learning. Ongoing participation in support groups is also crucial for life-long recovery.
Support groups
You are likely to relate with people who have gone through the same life experiences while battling substance addiction. Support groups are critical during the recovery journey. These group sessions will help you learn from other people’s experiences and even motivate you to stick to the plan. Some support groups incorporate recovered addicts into their programs to encourage those striving to recover through sharing tips and experiences. These support groups can also decrease your sense of isolation and shame that significantly triggers relapse in many individuals.
If you feel discouraged that you’ve been developing a dependency on dangerous drugs and feel like it’s too late, don’t worry. Reach us at 833-846-5669 to talk to us. Let us help you get the change you want.