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Finding the Right Rehab Program for Substance Abuse
The biggest myth about drug and alcohol rehab (rehabilitation) is that treatment doesn’t work. Believing that may be one reason finding the right treatment program seems so hard.
Another myth is that substance abuse is just a matter of choice. The truth is that drug and alcohol addiction are long-lasting diseases. They can be treated as successfully as many other long-lasting diseases. These include high blood pressure, asthma, and diabetes.
How do you know if you need treatment?
You may have had a choice when you first started using drugs or alcohol. But over time, these drugs actually change the structure and functioning of your brain. Once you are addicted, the urge to use the substance you are addicted to gets very strong. You may keep using it without thinking about what could happen.
These are warning signs that you need to ask for help:
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You keep using drugs or alcohol even after having problems with your health, your job or education, or your relationships.
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You need more drugs or alcohol to get the same good feeling as when you first started using them.
Finding the right treatment program
Treatment choices aren't the same for everyone. Your choice may be affected by:
Where to go for help
The first step is admitting you have a problem and you need help. The next is accepting that treatment takes time. Short-term, one-time treatments hardly ever work. The best treatment programs offer many services over a period of time. These services often include family education and support. Studies show that anything less than 90 days is often not long enough.
Here are some resources that can help you take the next steps:
You may feel powerless over drugs or alcohol. But remember that you are fighting a disease and you need help. Treatment does work, but it's a lifelong process. Finding the right treatment program can help you start to address your needs. It can also help you focus on the health, emotional, and social parts of your addiction.
Online Medical Reviewer:
L Renee Watson MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Melinda Murray Ratini DO
Online Medical Reviewer:
Paul Ballas MD
Date Last Reviewed:
6/1/2023
© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.