Substance Abuse Clinic

Going to a substance abuse clinic is a great option if you are looking to recover from an addiction. Going to a substance abuse clinic means that you are looking for the additional care and assistance that a substance abuse clinic provides. One main reason for choosing this route is that you have a desire to change. Since you are here looking into possible options for a substance abuse clinic, it means that you are at least interested in changing your addictive habits. This is wonderful.

What is a Substance Abuse Clinic?

Alcoholism and drug dependence as well as addiction, are known as substance use disorders. There is no one reason why addiction occurs, but we now know that a dependence on alcohol or drugs is a life-long illness. It is similar to that of asthma or diabetes. Going to a substance abuse clinic can help you to at least curb your addiction, and get help before it is too late.

Substance Abuse Clinic Facilities

Going to a substance abuse clinic allows you to make positive changes in your life by rectifying poor behaviors. These can help you avoid relapse in the long term and going to treatment means you will be able to recover from a substance abuse disorder. You will learn the following:

• Healthy coping skills
• Impulse control
• Emotional regulation skills
• Drug-refusal strategies

There are many different types of substance abuse clinics. Some specialize in helping patients with specific drug addiction, while others offer a broader range of drug addiction services. There are even facilities that are gender or age-specific, which can make you feel more comfortable during treatment.

Misconceptions

Some people have the misconception that patients in a substance abuse clinic are forced to stay there. This is not true because patients are able to leave whenever they want. One aspect that makes a substance abuse clinic more effective, is if you have the desire to be there and change your habits. Having said that, in situations where individuals are compelled to go to treatment, such as via a court order, it can still be effective.

Types of Substance Abuse Clinics

Going to a substance abuse clinic can offer you everything from basic to luxury facilities. There are many different types of clinics available and the one an individual should choose is dependent on their mental, physical, emotional, and financial situation.

Some types of clinics include but are not limited to:

• Inpatient Clinics
• Outpatient Clinics
• Dual Diagnosis clinics
• Luxury Clinics
• Detox Only clinics
• Residential Clinics

Luxury centers offer more than basic facilities in terms of amenities but are not always the best treatment centers to help with addiction. You must investigate before making a final decision.

Detox

Before entering a facility, you may need to go through detox. Detox is the process in which you will rid your body of addictive substances. This process varies in length, but when a part of a medical detox program, you will be monitored by doctors and nurses. You will also be given medications to manage withdrawal when appropriate. After detox, you will be ready for a substance abuse clinic.

After beginning treatment, you will go through an intake evaluation. This will often be with an addiction counselor or mental health professional. This will include:

• Self-reports on substance abuse
• Medical records
• Urine screening
• Blood testing
• Patterns of drug or alcohol abuse.
• Medical history.
• Mental status.
• Physical problems or conditions.
• Vital signs
• Past detox experiences
• Living conditions
• Financial situation
• Legal status
• Violence
• Suicide risk
• Disabilities

Whoever is conducting your evaluation, will need this information to create a plan tailored to you. These treatment plans may involve:

• Individual therapy: Individual therapy will help you learn to recognize triggers and finally be able to cope with them. By working with therapists you can also learn to improve your emotional regulation skills in order to better avoid relapse.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Contingency management
• Group counseling: Group counseling provides you with a space to practice social skills in a sober setting. You can also practice the coping strategies that you have learned in individual counseling.
• Peer support meetings: Such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous
• Family therapy sessions: Family therapy sessions are helpful to repair broken relationships, as well as improve your communications, and learn how to build conflict resolution skills.
• Additional services or activities: Yoga, exercise and nutritional counseling, meditation, and mindfulness, acupuncture, or spa treatment
• Medication management: Medications such as methadone or Suboxone is often used alongside behavioral therapy in order to help opioid-addicted individuals remain abstinent.
• Relapse prevention education
• Aftercare planning: Once your rehab program nears an end, your treatment team will then create an aftercare or relapse prevention plan. This includes support such as 12-step groups, or ongoing therapy.

What to Look for in a Substance Abuse Clinic

Choosing a substance abuse clinic is not something to take lightly. You will need to search for a program that is right for you. This is because all programs are not created equal. You need to know what you are looking for. Common things to look for in a substance abuse clinic include:

• Treatment program accreditations and certifications
• Education, experience, and certifications for staff members involved
• Individualized treatment plans
• Ongoing re-evaluations
• Aftercare and relapse prevention planning
• Evidence-based therapy
• Experience in treating your specific addiction
• Experience in treating co-occurring mental health disorders
• Non-judgmental and compassionate staff members
• Look for facilities that have good reviews

In some cases, you may even want to consider a facility that shares your religious beliefs. This might include faith-based treatment programs or a holistic treatment option. This may utilize alternative practices, such as acupuncture, meditation, and yoga. Regardless of the treatment program you choose, it is important to make sure it holds all other qualities you are looking for as well.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medications are used for two main reasons in recovery.

1. Managing acute withdrawal symptoms and cravings
2. To maintain abstinence once the withdrawal has subsided

Some treatment programs offer medical detox as a part of the services. Other programs require that you complete detox prior to entering the program. In many cases, you may begin a regimen of maintenance medications to mitigate effects. Only certain addictions can be treated with medication. Drugs typically treated with medications include opioids, heroin, prescription painkillers, and alcohol. The commonly-used medications include:

• Methadone: Full opioid agonist that reduces heroin and prescription painkiller cravings. It is also known to help to promote long-term sobriety.
• Suboxone: Combination medication. It includes buprenorphine which is a partial opioid agonist, and naloxone, which is an opioid antagonist. This medication also reduces cravings associated with opioids. Adding naloxone deters abuse of buprenorphine.
• Naltrexone: Medication blocks the effects of opioids in the brain. This essentially cancels out the rewarding and pleasurable feelings associated with opioid abuse. This helps to deter opioid use. Naltrexone is also known to help treat alcohol dependence.
• Acamprosate: Thought to reduce both protracted or post-acute withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol dependence. These include anxiety, depression, insomnia, and restlessness.
• Disulfiram: You will experience unpleasant symptoms, such as nausea and heart palpitations if you consume alcohol while taking it. Helps to prevent use.

Committing to Your Recovery

Doctors and counselors in a substance abuse clinic can help you to create goals. By committing to a long-term goal of sobriety, it will help to make positive changes in your life. Then you can make both long-term and short-term goals that help you along the way.

In some cases, there is denial associated with going to treatment. When faced with denial, you must look to overcome it. Speaking to doctors regarding the consequences and effects of drug abuse is one way to go about that.

By learning about the effects that the drugs have on your body, there is hope that you will eventually be motivated to make a change.

Contact Us Today to Get Started

Making the choice to go to treatment at a substance abuse clinic is never easy, but it is a decision that will change the rest of your life. You have the power to decide if you want to go to a basic facility or one that offers specialty treatments,  if you would like to participate in medication-assisted treatment, or equine therapy. You are the only person who can make the decision to get help and get sober.

If you or someone you love needs help from a substance abuse clinic, contact us today. At Emerald Isle, we offer free insurance verification for treatment. Get started on your road to recovery.