There is no one-size-fits-all approach to overcoming drug abuse and addiction. When you are ready to enter treatment, there are factors you need to consider to help you find the program that best fits your needs.
1. Program Setting
Both outpatient and residential treatment programs have their advantages and disadvantages. Many people who are dealing with addiction want an outpatient program, often because they provide more freedom. Unfortunately, the freedom of an outpatient program can make it more difficult to complete the program and stay clean. If your home or neighborhood environment makes staying away from drugs difficult, you are likely better off with a residential program.
Conversely, if your home environment is conducive to staying off drugs and you have many work or family obligations, an outpatient program could be a better option for you. Since it is difficult to fully focus on recovery when you are concerned about work and family life, an outpatient setting is often the best compromise.
2. Intensive Psychotherapy
One component of any drug treatment program should be an array of counseling and psychotherapy options. Rarely is addiction purely about the drug; there are often underlying reasons that may have precipitated drug use. Additionally, mental health concerns frequently co-occur with drug use and addiction. Ideally, you should choose a program with mandatory counseling sessions. Your sessions should include one-on-one interactions with a counselor and a psychiatrist if you need treatment for mental health concerns.
Counseling sessions should also include group interactions. Although many people avoid group sessions because they feel uncomfortable revealing problems in front of others, group sessions can serve many purposes. There can be shame associated with addiction, which can lead people to hide their feelings and experiences, only making the problem worse. Knowing there are many people who have faced similar situations can make opening up to other people easier. Additionally, accountability is an important part of recovery. It is difficult to overcome addiction without being genuinely accountable for your drug use and any behaviors that may have hurt others.
3. Extensive Aftercare
What happens after you leave treatment can be more important than the treatment itself. You want to choose a program with plenty of resources available to help you once you leave the program. Some programs may have housing, education, or job-placement services to help people in recovery change their lives. It is often difficult to stay clean after leaving a program if you are returning to the same residence or the same people who might enable your behavior. A program that works closely with social workers and government programs might know of structured housing programs to help you find a room or apartment. The housing may have a curfew and drug screenings may be part of the requirements. Having structure after leaving your program can make transitioning from your program back into society less overwhelming.
There are no right or wrong decisions when choosing a drug treatment program. Considering both your immediate and long-term needs can help you make the appropriate choice for yourself. Find a drug rehab program through a company like Empower Ctc to get started.
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