5 Myths About Drug Rehab Centres

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Perhaps you are an addict and ready to seek treatment, but you feel concerned about some of the things you’ve heard about drug rehab centres. Maybe your loved one is an addict, and you are seeking a way to encourage them to find a successful treatment. Seeking and accepting rehabilitation for substance abuse can be an uncertain time for anyone, and addicts must know exactly what they’re getting into so that they feel safe and secure.

Unfortunately, there are myths surrounding drug rehab centres that may discourage an otherwise willing individual to participate. Here are some myths about addiction treatment and the truth about recovery.

Myth #1: An addict has to want to be treated for treatment to work.

It is not always necessary for someone to “hit rock bottom” and decide for him or herself that they are ready for treatment. Sometimes rehabilitation is court-ordered or otherwise forced upon an addict, and there is no evidence that this lessens their chance of success. In fact, those who are put under pressure by outside forces, through a loved ones or the justice system, tend to do better in rehabilitation than those with no outside influence.

Myth #2: Patients are forced cold turkey through withdrawal.

The doctors at drug rehab centres have a number of tools at their disposal to relieve and sometimes eliminate the symptoms of withdrawal. While they will obviously not let a patient use their chosen substance to reduce their withdrawal symptoms, there are medications which reduce physical suffering, while therapies can reduce emotional suffering. There are also alternative treatments, like ibogaine, which eliminate the sickness of withdrawal and cull cravings. Research the options available to you so you know you are making the right choice.

Patients must have no fear that they will be left to suffer unduly while seeking recovery.

Myth #3: All drug rehab centres are the same – if one is not successful, the others will fail too.

In fact, most drug rehab centres cater to very specific needs and recovery approaches. Not every addict is the same, nor is the nature of their addiction, and there are several options to choose from based on you or your loved one’s needs. For example, you may desire a religious setting, or you may want a centre that focuses on a single substance. To cure heroin addiction, you would do best to find a treatment centre with this experience or focus.

It is also important to consider whether an inpatient or outpatient treatment would be more effective. Inpatient treatment requires a person to stay for an extended period, often three weeks or more, in a facility surrounded by others. Outpatient services only require scheduled appointments.

Myth #4: It is too late for me, treatment won’t help.

Some people think that being a certain age, or having an addiction for a certain amount of time will affect their success in treatment. Others are concerned that they will be a minority and the staff will not know how to help them because of their age. This is simply not true. According to a survey in 2008, almost 60 percent of those in recovery are aged thirty or over, with over 12 percent aged over fifty.

As mentioned above, there are facilities that cater to all needs, including age. If your age is still a concern, seek treatment from a centre that specialises in treatment for older addicts.

Myth #5: Treatment will cure or fix the addiction.

Addiction is a physiological struggle, which individuals often need help to overcome, and there is no simple chemical solution or magic word that can fix it. After treatment in a drug rehab centre, a person must be vigilant and willing to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This often requires the decision to continue treatment with “maintenance”, e.g. finding a sponsor or attending regular meetings.

This does not mean a person has to be dependent on a substance forever. While it is not a quick or easy road, full recovery from drug addiction is possible. By addressing the imbalances in a person’s life, which caused their addiction, and by utilising treatment and maintenance, all people have a chance to remain free of addiction.

Helen Garvey
Author of Beauty Zone https://www.beauty-zone.co.uk, Healthy Woman https://www.healthy-woman.co.uk, and New Promo Codes http://www.newpromocodes.co.uk. Written on various topics, including finance, relationships, health and beauty, skincare, and health and fitness.