Is Detox the same as Rehab?

Addiction is a two faced knife that can destroy family ties and bring about financial ruin. If the condition is left untreated, then it may ultimately be a cause of the addict's death. It is not easy to give up the tendency of substance abuse and get on a straight path of life. Most people have to enroll into alcohol and drug rehab centers to overcome addiction. The first step towards beating addiction is to make the addict aware of the harm it causes the body. A number of addicts lack confidence and they must be taught to become the masters of the situation and not the slaves to addiction.

Over the last few years, many rehab facilities have been established to help drug and alcohol abusers kick the habit. Counselors and doctors at these facilities are the abuser's greatest ally in the fight against addiction. Detoxification and rehab are the processes addicts must undergo in order to get off alcohol or drugs and maintain sobriety for the rest of their lives. It is not a simple process and addicts have to go through numerous steps in order to become a drug free individual.

Is detox the same as rehab?

In the past, people equated detox with rehab. Some people mistakenly maintain this belief even today. But detox does not have any effect on the fundamental social, psychological, and physical aspects of addiction. Alcohol and drug work with the central nervous system to give a pleasant feeling of elation. Long-term use of alcohol and drugs can make enduring changes to the nervous system, interfering with the way the brain and the body works. Detoxification and rehabilitation reverse some of these changes to restore normal function.

Detoxification

Detoxification is the process of getting the alcohol or drugs out of the system of an addict and getting him physically stable. Recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction can only begin once an addicted person has been detoxified. Most detoxification programs will incorporate an introduction to healing principles. Some addicts have mild symptoms and some have severe symptoms, but an acute stage of detoxification rarely lasts longer than 10 days. During this time the whole procedure can be medically managed, and in fact the majority of recovering addicts can be made comfortable.

Detox can be a very painful, annoying and emotional undertaking. For this reason, it should only occur in a professional medical setting. An addict should never attempt to detox from any alcohol or drug on his own. This process is best conducted under a watchful eye of a healthcare giver as it can be very painful and risky. Medical detoxification safely manages acute physical withdrawal symptoms. For instance, when an addict withdraws from a long term alcohol or drug use, in a small proportion of cases he might experience seizures, delirium, nausea, tremors and other symptoms.

What to expect from detoxification treatment

Nerves as well as anxiety could play their part in the treatment procedure for some addicts, and this is natural during the first days of detoxification. If you have difficulty sleeping, then this is a normal reaction to the treatment. While medication does not eradicate the symptoms of withdrawal, should, mostly, be more bearable. Detoxification is not a magic pill. Detox alone will not help addicted people. It is just the first stage in freeing addicts from the bond of substance dependence.

Rehab

Although detox is an essential stage in freeing one from the bonds of drug and alcohol dependence, detoxification is only the initial step towards attaining sobriety. Rehab usually follows detox. Together, detox and rehab work to bring an addict to a drug-free state, and help him evade relapses. Rehabs reverse some of the neurological transformation associated with substance abuse. They give addicts the power to refuse alcohol or drugs when an opportunity arises.

Rehab addresses the 3 factors that allow dependence to continue: cravings, guilt, and depression. Different rehabs use different methods of assisting addicts redeem themselves of their habit. Personal therapy sessions, group discussions, as well as counseling are some of the methodologies that are used. In a Christian centers, the programs are different bringing a more psychological and spiritual treatments into play. These facilities employ the scriptures to show the addicts what is right and what is not and show them the true calling of their lives.

Treatments programs

Rehabs use different programs to teach addicts different ways of coping in a substance free ambiance. They include: residential treatment, out-patient, extended care centers, local support groups as well as half-way houses. Every program has its specific purpose, and since substance abuse is a serious problem, it is vitally important for addicted people and their loved ones to go for the best kind of help.

What to expect from a rehab

One of the very first things that will happen when an addict enters a treatment facility is he or she will be evaluated. The only way an addiction treatment center can help their patients is if they know what they are dealing with. This means that they will want to know what your addiction is and how long you have been using substance. This info will help doctors come up with the best treatment plan for the patient. After the staff have created a treatment plan, the patient will begin his treatments.

This will incorporate therapy sessions individually, with the group of other people going through the same thing, and medical treatments that will aid the patient get through the treatment plan. Group therapy is part of each rehab program. It is a very powerful therapeutic tool as patients can build relationships and support one another. A counselor will guide the patient through the group and keep everyone on track by providing expertise and advice.

In most rehabs, counselors are people who have abused substances in the past and are now living the life of recovery. Most addicts at these facilities have gone through similar things, and patients are encouraged to share their experiences with other group members so that they can help motivate each other.