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What is Substance Abuse Rehab?

Lori Smith
Lori Smith

Addiction to drugs or alcohol can wreak havoc on the life of anyone afflicted with the disease, as well as the lives of those close to him or her. Substance abuse rehab refers to a method of addiction recovery that involves rehabilitation therapy. Often, the focus is on helping the addict overcome his or her chemical addiction through detoxification, counseling, group therapy, motivational lectures, coping strategies, and, sometimes, medical intervention.

The majority of people who seek treatment in a substance abuse rehab facility do so to overcome an addiction to alcohol or common street drugs, such as cocaine or heroin. Sometimes narcotic painkillers, such as OxyContin® or Percocet®, are the source of the addiction. Depressants, like Xanax®, or stimulants, such as Ritalin® are also commonly abused. More often than not, addicts are dependent on more than one substance. In many cases, they are aware of their problems long before seeking treatment.

Substance abuse rehab might be sought by someone addicted to painkillers like Percocet.
Substance abuse rehab might be sought by someone addicted to painkillers like Percocet.

Addiction treatment can be sought voluntarily, or when a person admits and recognizes the seriousness of his or her problem, and how it is negatively affecting home and work. Often, it occurs after a significant event in someone’s life, which may have directly resulted from the addiction. Such instances can include the loss of a job due to excessive drinking, or an arrest resulting due to being intoxicated.

DUI offenders may be sentenced to substance abuse rehab by the courts.
DUI offenders may be sentenced to substance abuse rehab by the courts.

In other cases, substance abuse rehab can be court-ordered, by a judge. Cases such as this may follow the conviction of a person charged with driving under the influence (DUI). It may also be ordered in response to domestic violence situations, in which the addiction is a contributing factor to problems in the home. Sometimes, a judge may order substance abuse rehab in lieu of jail time.

AA members are encouraged to adopt prayer into their daily life.
AA members are encouraged to adopt prayer into their daily life.

Many substance abuse rehab centers cater to those addicted to drugs and alcohol on an inpatient basis. Upon entry to a drug treatment center, the first priority is usually to detoxify the patient. This is often a painful and uncomfortable process, and sometimes medicine is administered to ease the symptoms of withdrawal. Depending on which substance has been abused, and the length of time the addict has been addicted to it, detoxification can take several days to several weeks. Once the initial process is complete, the professionals at a substance abuse rehab center work closely with the patient toward recovery.

Substance abuse rehab usually includes counseling.
Substance abuse rehab usually includes counseling.

Substance abuse rehab therapy often continues even after an individual leaves an inpatient rehabilitation center. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a form of group therapy in which recovering addicts meet regularly, and collectively work with each other to help overcome addiction and prevent relapse. AA meetings often emphasize spirituality and encourage members to adopt prayer as part of their daily recovery efforts.

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    • Substance abuse rehab might be sought by someone addicted to painkillers like Percocet.
      By: ACphoto
      Substance abuse rehab might be sought by someone addicted to painkillers like Percocet.
    • DUI offenders may be sentenced to substance abuse rehab by the courts.
      By: openyouraperture
      DUI offenders may be sentenced to substance abuse rehab by the courts.
    • AA members are encouraged to adopt prayer into their daily life.
      By: xxknightwolf
      AA members are encouraged to adopt prayer into their daily life.
    • Substance abuse rehab usually includes counseling.
      By: Africa Studio
      Substance abuse rehab usually includes counseling.
    • Substance abuse rehab is recommended for people battling with alcohol issues.
      By: kmiragaya
      Substance abuse rehab is recommended for people battling with alcohol issues.
    • Some residential substance abuse treatments are conducted in hospital settings.
      By: Monkey Business
      Some residential substance abuse treatments are conducted in hospital settings.
    • A person addicted to heroin may scratch excessively during the withdrawal process.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      A person addicted to heroin may scratch excessively during the withdrawal process.
    • Those seeking treatment for a heroin addiction may benefit from entering an inpatient treatment facility, where access to the drug will be completely cut off.
      By: arska n
      Those seeking treatment for a heroin addiction may benefit from entering an inpatient treatment facility, where access to the drug will be completely cut off.
    • Some substance abuse programs may also assist patients with mental health issues.
      By: Monkey Business
      Some substance abuse programs may also assist patients with mental health issues.