Addiction Treatment in Rockville, MD
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines addiction as a "chronic, relapsing disease." The condition occurs when a person uses illegal drugs or prescription medications known to be addictive in such a manner that they experience changes in their brain chemistry. These changes cause a person to crave a particular drug. As a result, they will seek out and use the drug, even when they know it is causing them personal and professional problems. Addiction can destroy a person's life and cost a person their life. Those who suffer from addiction cannot often quit on their own. Addiction treatment in Rockville can help a person learn to overcome the strong physical and mental cravings for a particular drug.
Drug use and addiction is not a problem limited to Rockville and the surrounding areas. Substance abuse costs Americans an estimated $700 billion annually. This includes not only the costs of substance abuse treatment but also healthcare costs and lost productivity. Drug abuse can tragically cut a person's life short, killing an estimated 90,000 Americans annually, according to the NIDA.
If a person has an illness, they see a doctor. They take medications and even participate in rehabilitation exercises or other wellness steps to live better. Addiction should be no exception. If a person struggles with substance abuse, they should seek addiction treatment in Rockville as a means to live a healthier, longer life.
Are There Phases/Steps for Addiction Treatment?
Fear of the unknown is a common reason why a person may refrain from seeking substance abuse treatment. While the treatments selected can often vary from person to person, there are some common components of substance abuse treatment that a person can expect to complete on their path to sobriety. These include:
- Assessment: A person will often meet with a counselor and/or medical personnel at a substance abuse treatment center to discuss their history of drug abuse. Having a discussion about drug types abused, length of abuse history, and how much of each drug was used on a daily basis can help a counselor anticipate the kinds of withdrawal symptoms a person may experience. In addition to these considerations, a person will also discuss their medical histories, such as mental illness or chronic conditions. Knowing about a person's overall health can also help those at a center for addiction treatment in Rockville anticipate the best services to provide.
- Medical Detox in Rockville: A person can stop using drugs and receive medical help for their withdrawal symptoms through a medical detox program. While these types of therapy programs for addiction cannot take away all the symptoms associated with withdrawals, they can help to reduce some symptoms and the dangers that a person could experience a seizure or other adverse side effect. Doctors can administer medications for nausea, anxiety reduction, and to promote sleep whenever possible.
- Counseling/Group Therapies: Once a person has physically stopped abusing a drug, they can start working on breaking the mental addiction to a particular substance. This is often accomplished through counseling in a variety of potential approaches, including cognitive-behavioral counseling. This approach involves helping a person recognize the ways of thinking that are keeping them in an addictive pattern of abuse. A person can also learn how to refuse or avoid situations where they may be tempted to return to drug abuse.
- Relapse Prevention: Once a person has experienced an extended period of sobriety, they will often participate in relapse prevention programs. This may include 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Because addiction is a chronic disease, it is important that a person stay engaged in their sobriety.
Types of Treatment for Addiction
In addition to the more traditional methods of drug and alcohol addiction treatment mentioned earlier, there are also alternative and holistic treatments that can benefit a person with a history of drug abuse. These include restorative yoga, art therapy, and music therapy. These approaches can help a person learn healthy ways of coping with stress where they may have previously turned to drug or alcohol abuse. By treating a person's entire body and mind, they can ideally heal and overcome their substance abuse.
According to the NIDA, the best and most effective treatments for a person struggling with substance abuse are those that are tailored to the individual. One person's successful treatment plan may not look like another's. That's why many types of treatment for addiction are available. Call Rockville Drug Rehab Centers. (877) 804-1531.