Intensive rehab programs are designed to give a recovering addict significant support. Patients learn new methods and behaviors and gain the needed skills to cope with difficult situations. If you are looking for the best intense addiction treatment facility, call for more information.
What Does Substance Abuse Look Like?
Substance abuse is the repeated, harmful use of illicit drugs or alcohol. It can also include the abuse of prescription drugs. The repeated abuse of drugs and alcohol can have devastating effects including death.
Signs of Substance Abuse
- Mood swings
- Change in friends
- Poor diet
- Insomnia
- Shaking
- Paranoia
- Keeping secrets
- Extreme sensitivity
- Angry outbursts.
What to Expect at Intensive Rehab Programs
Intensive rehab programs can be inpatient or outpatient. Treatment can last anywhere from six weeks to six months or more. Longer treatment may be needed for some individuals. These programs usually commence after the patient has been properly detoxed. It is often not enough to get the drugs out of the addict’s system. Intensive rehab programs offer the additional help recovering addicts need to start a sober life.
Behavior-Modification Therapy
Behavior-modification rehab centers focus on modifying both the patient’s behaviors and the patient’s thoughts and belief systems. Often, the recovering addict needs help dealing with stress, conflict and emotions. The therapist will use a variety of techniques to modify the subject’s behaviors. This includes role-playing therapy and work in a group setting. The main goal is to give the patient tools and skills needed to deal with situations that would have lead them to abuse drugs or alcohol in the past.
Did You Know?
The subject of behavior modification was introduced in 1911 by psychologist Edward Thorndike in an article titled “Laws of Acquired Behavior or Learning.”
Techniques used to Ensure Recovery
Behavior-modification rehab centers use a variety of techniques.
- Positive reinforcement is a reward-based approach. The patient is given praise or rewards for exhibiting desirable behaviors.
- Negative reinforcement can be used in conjunction with positive reinforcement. It involves punishing the subject for performing undesirable behaviors. Punishment is not severe and can be something like a loss of privileges.
- Environmental limitation focuses on removing the patient from the environment that contributed to the drug or alcohol abuse in the first place. An example would be cutting ties with friends who abuse drugs or leaving an unhealthy relationship.
- Goal setting allows the recovering addict to commit to something. Achieving goals is good for their self-image and recovery. Goals do not have to be related to sobriety.
- Conditioning is a technique that gets the subject to mentally link negative behaviors to undesirable outcomes.
Intensive Addiction Treatment
Intensive rehab programs use a multi-treatment approach. These include:
- Motivation
- Cognitive behavior therapy
- Medication
- Spiritual techniques
- Alternative therapies
Using multiple tools and techniques aids in the recovery process. Intense addictions require intense treatments.
How Facilities Help Patients
An intense addiction treatment facility typically provides a structured plan. The recovering addict will receive education, counseling and group therapy. The patient will also receive treatments that are designed specifically for them. These can include:
- Yoga
- Meetings with alumni
- Spiritual presentations
- Medication
- Daily planning
- Recreational therapy
The intensive approach is used to ensure success and teach the patient new ways of coping with their problems and emotions. The recovering individual learns confidence and hope. Family members can also be included in the program. In addition, aftercare and follow-up treatments are available.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s national survey on drug use and health, 1.8 million people were admitted to drug and alcohol treatment facilities in 2008. The most common addiction was to alcohol at 41.4 percent. The most commonly abused drugs were opiates, which accounted for 20 percent of the admissions.
Way to Ensure Long-Term Sobriety
Even with the help of intensive rehab programs, patients can suffer a relapse. Long-term success can be achieved by utilizing some strategies like these:
- Surround yourself with those who care about you and support your recovery efforts.
- Do not justify or make excuses for your addictive behavior.
- Learn to deal with your emotions. Talk to trusted friends, loved ones or a counselor.
- Help others who are struggling with addiction. Sharing your story can help others and remind you of your own journey.
- Take responsibility for your actions. Apologize to those you have hurt and make amends if possible.
