Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program

Alcohol and illicit drugs can dramatically affect your health. They can cause your organs to fail, skin to break out, and a variety of other conditions such as cancer. Although some people think it is a choice, addiction is now known to be a chronic brain disease. This means that it is something you cannot control, and need help to stop your actions. “Substance use disorders” is a term for addiction to alcohol or drugs. This typically causes you to need to go to an Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program. More than 20 million Americans have a substance use disorder and should go to some type of program.

There are various treatment options that offer comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs. If you are struggling with substance or alcohol abuse, it is time to get help. Here you will receive multidisciplinary care that uses scientifically validated treatment approaches. With support, you can work towards moving away from your addiction, and getting healthy. 

Learning About an Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program

There have been various research studies on addiction that have shown that treatment is classified into Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program options. These are categorized into several general types or modalities. Treatment approaches and individual programs are always changing, and many programs do not fit into the traditional drug addiction treatment classifications.

Detoxification in an Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program

Detoxification and medically managed withdrawal is typically the first stage of treatment. Detoxification, also known as detox, is the process by which the body clears itself of drugs. This is designed to manage the acute and potentially dangerous physiological effects that occur when you stop drug use. Detoxification alone does not address the psychological, social, and behavioral problems that are often associated with addiction. They also do not typically produce the changes that are necessary behaviorally in order to facilitate true recovery. Detox should always be followed by a formal assessment and continuation to an Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program.

Detox is typically accompanied by withdrawal. These side effects are not only painful but also potentially fatal. Withdrawals can be regulated with medications administered by a physician in an inpatient or outpatient setting. This is referred to as “medically managed withdrawal.” Medications are available to assist in the withdrawal from opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol, nicotine, barbiturates, and other sedatives as well.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms will vary depending on the type of drug or alcohol you have been taking. Commonly associated symptoms in regards to withdrawal include:

• Changes in appetite
• Changes in mood
• Congestion
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Muscle pain
• Nausea
• Restlessness
• Runny nose
• Shakiness
• Sleeping difficulties
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Vomiting

There are also more severe symptoms such as hallucinations, seizures, and delirium these may also occur in some instances. The type of drug you were taking, as well as the amount of time you were taking it, and the amount you were taking will affect how severe the symptoms you experience are.

Long-Term Residential Treatment in an Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program

Long-term residential treatment is an option that provides care for longer than the average 30 to 90 days. It is characterized by:

• Placement in a treatment program.
• Methods such as the therapeutic community model, with a planned length of stay of between 6 and 12 months. 
• The therapeutic community model focuses on resocializing 
• Uses entire commuting such as residents and staff
• Addiction as both a social and psychological deficit
• Focuses on developing personal accountability and responsibility 

Highly structured and serious, these programs also include activities that are designed to help you examine your damaging beliefs and destructive patterns of behavior. This allows you to seek out more effective ways to interact with others and avoid using substances. They are also the most effective forms of treatment. 

Most therapeutic community models offer comprehensive services, which can include employment training and other support services. These are all done onsite. Research also shows that therapeutic community models can be modified to treat individuals with special needs, and even adolescents, women, homeless individuals, or people with severe mental disorders.

Short Term Residential Treatment in an Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program

Short-term residential programs provide intensive and somewhat short treatment programs. Although originally designed to treat alcohol problems, they became a method of use for cocaine during the epidemic of the 1980s. Today it is used to treat substance use disorders. The original residential treatment model consisted of:

• Anywhere from 3 to 6-week stay
• Inpatient treatment phase
• Extended outpatient therapy 
• Participation in a self-help group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous

After residential treatment programs, it is essential that you continue to go through to your outpatient treatment programs or aftercare programs. These help to reduce the risk of relapse in the long term.

Outpatient Treatment in an Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program

Outpatient treatment varies immensely. Some treatments that are offered tend to cost less than residential or inpatient treatment.

These outpatient Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program options are also often more suitable for people with jobs or extensive social support. This is because you will be living at home and you will need to ensure that you do not have outside influences or triggers on your alcohol or substance abuse.

It is good to note that low-intensity programs may offer little more than drug education. Some outpatient models though, such as IOP, does have service that is comparable to residential programs. Although it may not be as effective as an inpatient, this greatly depends on the severity of your disorder as well as individual characteristics and needs. 

Individualized Alcohol and Drug Counseling

Individualized drug counseling is essential when it comes to recovery. This is because it not only focuses on reducing or stopping drug or alcohol use but also focuses on other areas of your life such as:

• Employment status
• Illegal activity
• Family/social relations
• Structure of your Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program

With an emphasis on short-term behavioral goals, this form of individualized counseling can help you to develop strategies to cope with your situation or with triggers. It can also give you tools in order to work towards sobriety from drugs and alcohol. Most often you will participate in a 12-step program at least one or two times per week, and make referrals for needed supplemental medical, psychiatric, and employment services.

Group Counseling in an Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program

Many therapeutic settings use group therapy as a method of integrating social reinforcement. This is typically facilitated with peer discussion and to help promote drug-free lifestyles. 

There is plenty of research that has shown that when group therapy is offered in conjunction with individualized drug counseling or offered with cognitive-behavioral therapy and contingency management, there have been many successful offerings in addiction treatment settings. 

Getting Help

At Emerald Isle, we offer a method of getting healthy through our Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program options. Whether you are ready, to begin with, a short stay intensive treatment or looking for a long-term, residential commitment, we offer a variety of options. Outpatient services are also available for those who feel that will better suit their needs.

Contact us today to learn about our free insurance verification for treatment. There is no day but today to get healthy and drug or alcohol-free. It is not necessarily about your addiction, but your want to get better. Every day provides another chance to get healthy again.