Most would agree that the U.S. is home to a severe substance abuse problem, but the scale of that substance abuse problem is often up for debate. Sometimes, getting an accurate answer to life’s most pressing questions requires picking the brain of a foremost expert. And such is the case when it comes to substance abuse in the U.S. According to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, nearly 21 million Americans are struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction. And at last check, some 70,000 Americans die of a drug overdose each year.
Indeed, the writing is on the wall; the U.S. has an immense substance abuse problem on its hands. As unsettling as that is to say, hear, or even jot down on paper, there is some good news. Many Americans who have had their lives upended by addiction are getting the help they need to put substance abuse behind them. And they are getting that valuable help from the more than 14,000 drug addiction rehab centers interspersed across the country.
What Is a Drug Addiction Rehab Center?
Most are aware of their existence and how they have helped save countless people who would have otherwise lost their lives to addiction. But those who have never struggled with addiction have no idea what goes on inside the four walls of a drug addiction rehab center. The physicians, nurses, addiction experts, and therapists in these facilities are, for lack of better words, miracle workers.
They meet people at a time when they are in the worst physical and psychological state imaginable, yet they commit to doing everything in their power to help them anyway. That said, a drug addiction rehab center is not just another structure with floors, ceilings, and walls; it is a place of healing. As far as the technical definition is concerned, a drug addiction rehab center is a facility licensed in its respective state to conduct business in the addiction field. Along with being licensed, many have received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
What Should Individuals Expect When They Go to a Drug Addiction Rehab Center?
Having established that a drug addiction rehab center is a facility licensed to conduct business in the realm of addiction and how most have received the accreditation required by most health insurance providers, let’s take a look at the kind of work they do. When an individual goes to a drug addiction rehab center, they will meet with the facility’s intake staff. These staffers will provide them with a tour of the facility and then go over a few ground rules. From there, individuals can expect the following:
A Psychological Assessment
This part of one’s addiction recovery entails meeting with a licensed therapist who will assess their mental and emotional state. These mental health professionals will also be looking for possible signs of a co-occurring disorder. For reference, individuals who suffer from a co-occurring disorder are those struggling with two or more substance use disorders coupled with a mental health disorder. The most common of these mental health disorders include the following:
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A Physical Assessment
Along with ensuring individuals are psychologically and emotionally ready to quit drugs or alcohol, a drug addiction rehab center must also ensure individuals are physically capable of doing so. And this is where physicians or nurses enter the picture. During a physical assessment, these healthcare professionals will assess the severity of an individual’s addiction. They will also be looking into whether or not the individual has health problems that might interfere with their addiction recovery. Lastly, the physicians or nurses in these facilities will determine whether or not medication-assisted detox is necessary.
Detox Assistance
If a physician or nurse determines medication-assisted detox is necessary, they will arrange round-the-clock monitoring in case an individual encounters a medical emergency during detox. They will also prescribe FDA-approved medications to help with the severe withdrawal symptoms. On a side note, most outpatient drug addiction rehab centers do not offer medication-assisted detox onsite. Those in an outpatient addiction recovery program who need medication-assisted detox will usually have to receive such care in a hospital or some other designated facility.
Access to Psychotherapy and Support Groups
Once an individual completes detox, the next step in their addiction recovery journey is psychotherapy. The purpose of psychotherapy is twofold; firstly, it helps individuals discover what led to them choosing to abuse drugs or alcohol, and second, they learn how to cope with cravings, temptation, and other triggers that could potentially culminate in relapse. After that, the final step entails receiving a referral to a support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, which can help individuals achieve long-term sobriety.
All told, a drug addiction rehab center is a facility where individuals go when they need help breaking the cycle of addiction and getting their lives back in order. To learn more or to get help finding such a facility in your area, consider speaking with one of our friendly representatives today at 855-334-6120.
What Are the Rules to Go to Drug Rehab Facilities?
