Family Therapy in Drug Rehab

Family Therapy in Drug Rehab

Family-based therapy and ecological family therapy have been the most frequently tested and show the most positive results, followed by brief motivational interventions. Family-based therapy attempts to "restructure problematic family interaction patterns associated with substance use, while behavioral approaches applied principles of operant and social learning within the family context to promote pro-social behaviors and reduce substance abuse" (Becker, et al. 2008). Most programs, 78 percent, include group sessions as a significant characteristic of treatment.

The family-based therapy approach is defined as any modality involving parents as essential participants in treatment. The most used family-based treatment approaches are:

(1) Brief strategic family therapy
(2) Family behavior therapy (FBT)
(3) Functional family therapy
(4) Multidimensional family therapy (MDFT)
(5) Multisystemic therapy (MST)

Of these, MDFT demonstrates, both clinically and statistically, significant favorable outcomes at drug rehab treatment termination and 1-year follow-up.

The Functional Family Therapy Model (FFT) is an integrative ecological model that combines a family system view of family functioning with behavioral techniques and a multisystemic emphasis. Early FFT sessions focus on enhancing treatment engagement and increasing the family's motivation for change, using techniques such as relabeling and emphasizing family member interrelatedness (Waldron et al. 2008). At follow up, more than 50 percent showed reductions in substance use with improvements in areas of functioning.

Multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) is a therapy of multiple subsystems, a comprehensive, multisystemic assessment where each area of the addict's life is assessed (Liddle et al. 2001). It is also an outpatient, family-based treatment for substance abuse. It was influenced by the strong traditions of family therapy models in the substance abuse field (Liddle, et al. 2001). It targets the psychosocial functioning of individual family members, the family members' relationships, and influential social systems outside the family (Liddle 2003). MDFT focuses on developmental aspects of the self, as well as the family and, indirectly, the peer context (Liddle et al. 2001).

MDFT interventions are based on research-derived knowledge about addict and family development and drug abuse and problem behavior formation (Liddle et al. 2001). In drug rehabs, this treatment addresses the individual characteristics of the addict (e.g., cognitive mediators such as perceptions of the harmfulness of drugs; emotion regulation processes [drug use as coping or as a manifestation of distress]), the parent(s) (e.g., parenting practices, parental stress), and other relevant family members (e.g., presence of drug using adults); as well as the interaction patterns (e.g., emotional disconnection) that link to the development and continuation of drug use and related problem behaviors (Liddle et al. 2001).

Family sessions were used throughout but were sometimes proceeded by individual sessions with the parent and/or addict (Liddle et al. 2001). The approach builds social competence, pro-social behaviors, anti-drug use attitudes and behaviors, a non-deviant peer network, and more developmentally facilitative family relationships. This treatment has shown the highest level of evidentiary support, both clinically and statistically significant outcomes at treatment conclusion as well as follow-up. Also, MDFT treatment showed significant improvement in family functioning. This treatment targeted parenting practices, and that these changes in parenting were correlated with reductions in the addict's drug abuse and problem behaviors (Liddle et al. 2001). It is MDFT, with its multiple targets of the addict's and parent's individual functioning, and individualized attention to parenting practices, family relationships, and the adolescent's extra familial environment that showed the overall best results (Liddle et al. 2001).

Multisystemic therapy (MST) views individuals as "nestled within a complex of interconnected systems that encompass individual, family, and extra familial (peer, school, neighborhood) factors. The treatment focus is on changing dysfunction processes that occur in these other systems (Waldron et al. 2008). MST is widely recognized as an effective treatment for conduct disorder and has been widely disseminated (Waldron et al. 2008). However, MST alone did not improve substance use outcomes (Waldron et al. 2008).

Another family therapy method is Multifamily Educational Intervention (MEI). This treatment blends features of psycho educational with multifamily treatment (Liddle et al. 2001). MEI consists of three of four groups of families, which are guided by theoretical principles from family systems, social support theory, and psycho educational approaches to family interventions. The intervention format consists of focused and structured, content-specific group discussions, didactic presentations that included handouts, skill-building exercises, individual family problem solving within a group meeting of several families, and homework assignments. Intervention content consists of learning alternative forms of stress reduction, family and individual risk and protective factors, improving family organization rules and limit setting, and improving family communication and problem solving abilities (Liddle et al. 2001).

In this particular study, the Beavers Interactional Competence Scales showed that MEI had significantly higher family competence than addicts assigned to MDFT. However, at termination, MEI only reported 32 percent in significant reduction in drug use while MDFT reported 42 percent (Liddle et al 2001). From intake to follow-up periods, it was shown that MEI families deteriorated on the family functioning scales while MDFT parents and addicts became more functional and developmentally facilitative (Liddle et al. 2001).

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) models explicitly aim to modify cognitive processes, beliefs, and individual behaviors or environmental reinforces associated with the addict's substance use (Becker & Curry 2008). CBT is a frequently used therapeutic approach, but it is commonly integrated into others, especially family systems therapy and motivational enhancement/brief interventions (BIs) (Winters et al. 2008). CBT and family interventions both include individual and conjoint family sessions, but the cognitive-behavioral condition emphasizes self-monitoring, communication and problem-solving skills training, contingency contracting, and substance-refusal skills (Waldron et al. 2007).

Overall findings indicated that both CBT and MDFT significantly reduced substance use and externalizing and internalizing symptoms at post treatment and follow-up. However, compared with CBT, youth in MDFT evidenced sustained treatment effects up to 1 year after termination from drug rehab, showing significantly greater reduction in psychological involvement with drugs and frequency of drug use other than cannabis. Also, compared with CBT, those receiving MDFT were significantly more likely to be abstinent at 1-year follow-up (Hogue et al. 2006). Diamond and Josephson found that those receiving FFT combined with CBT or FFT alone had fewer days of drug use at 4- and 7-month follow-ups than did others in CBT alone and group therapy.

Parent training aims to teach parents the skills needed to promote effective coping, problem solving, communication, and/or parental monitoring (Becker & Curry 2008). This therapy technique can change parent-addict relationship through enactment; a sequence of individual and joint parent and patient session used for form a shuttle diplomacy gives an in vivo picture of existing family relationships and a technique to shape new kinds of family interactions (Liddle 2003). Waldron et al. found that both the FFT and parent training groups showed significant reductions in substance use of more than 50 percent at follow-up, with improvements in other areas of functioning as well (Waldron et al. 2007).

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Dependency to Prescription Drugs

Dependency to Prescription Drugs

Prescription painkillers have grown to be the second most popular category of illicit substances second only to marijuana. Abuse rates are highest among teenagers and young adults, although abuse spans every age range. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, seven million Americans reported past-month prescription medication abuse in 2009. About eight percent of high school seniors used prescription painkillers at least once, and over half claimed to have acquired them from a family member or close friend.

There are several reasons that prescription medication abuse has increased in recent years. In a general sense, it is the widespread availability and perceived harmlessness of these substances that has led to the popularity of them. There has been a significant increase in prescriptions written for these medications, and they are becoming more and more popular in common households. Also, because these are prescribed by doctors, people assume they are safe to abuse in comparison to illicit street substances.

Commonly Abused Prescription Medications

The most commonly abused class of prescription medications is opioids. These include oxycodone, oxycontin, hyrdrocodone, and codeine. The name brand for acetaminophen and hydrocodone is Vicodin, and it is the most popular of the prescription painkillers. These medications act as central nervous system depressants, and cause sedation and euphoria if taken in large enough doses. When taken as prescribed, prescription painkillers relieve pain and cause sedation.

Benzodiazepines are another class of prescription medications that may be abused. Benzodiazepines are often prescribed for those with anxiety or sleep disorders, seizures, or alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Taken at larger than prescribed doses, benzodiazepines produce sedative, muscle relaxant, and anxiolytic effects. Dependence builds rapidly, and withdrawal effects may be fatal. Overdose is also potentially lethal, especially when benzos are used in combination with alcohol or opioids.

The third category of prescription medications that are abused is amphetamines. Amphetamines are prescribed for those with attention disorders and sleep disorders. They reduce hunger, produce wakefulness, and increase energy. When taken in excess, amphetamine provides an effect that has earned it the nickname "speed"

Prescription Drug Rehab

For some abusers of prescription medications, detox is the first step toward recovery. Benzodiazepine abuse may cause fatal withdrawal symptoms if not treated medically. At a drug detox facility, doctors provide a level of care that ensures the most painless withdrawal possible. They may prescribe medications to ease the physical and emotional pain as well.

After detox, a drug rehab center is highly recommended. For those who truly wish to turn their lives around, a drug rehab is a necessary step. Drug treatment facilities consist of therapeutic services and a healthy environment. Inpatient programs provide a full time staff that are able to assist the patients at any hour, as well as provide guidance and support. Staff members are usually in recovery themselves, so they can relate to what the patients are going through emotionally.

After drug treatment, there are a number of aftercare options. Many recovering addicts attend an outpatient treatment program, which offers similar services to inpatient programs, but with more freedom. Some addicts prefer a transitional living house or individual therapy. One of the most common forms of aftercare is participation in a twelve-step program. Twelve-step programs offer a support network and healthy coping mechanisms to deal with life without drugs or alcohol.

Vicodin Issues

Vicodin Issues

Vicodin Treatment Information

Vicodin, or hydrocodone, is a partly synthetic opiate marketed to treat moderate to severe physical pain. Currently, Vicodin is the most commonly abused of the prescription narcotic variety. It most often appears in the form of a tablet, which is cut with a majority of acetaminophen, otherwise known as aspirin, and a number of other non-active ingredients. There are currently three variations of Vicodin, each containing a different level of hydrocodone, which is the primary psychoactive substance in Vicodin. Hydrocodone is very chemically similar to the drug morphine, though it is believed to be milder in potency.

Vicodin addiction treatment is a particularly popular type of treatment since prescription drug addiction has endemically swept our nation and others. This brand of narcotic, though prescribed legally, is highly addictive and can be fatal if abused, which is why it is recommended that one with a Vicodin dependency seek treatment for Vicodin addiction. Vicodin treatment is currently thought to be the most effective means for battling addiction to the drug, as it takes a multi-faceted approach to aid the problem, one of which is detox. Detoxification is very important in the process of recovery from Vicodin dependency because withdrawal symptoms from Vicodin are painful and powerful.

Furthermore, Vicodin withdrawal treatment is considered the best approach in the first stages of recovery since it allows the patient to receive proper medical and psychiatric examination as well as any necessary medications to ease the physical withdrawal symptoms. Some of these symptoms include feeling dizzy and nauseous, cold sweats, undergoing periods of convulsions, and possibly delirium. With the proper care and attention, however, these things can be sidestepped, enabling an easier bridge to sobriety. Detox programs can be found throughout the country, and hospitals almost always provide a care unit for one who is going through withdrawals from drugs.

Vicodin, moreover, like most narcotics, has the potential for overdose. The symptoms associated with Vicodin overdose are trouble breathing, vomiting, death or coma. Those having an overdose on this drug should seek immediate medical attention to revive them and prevent the symptoms from worsening. Vicodin overdose treatment usually entails the patient having their stomach pumped in order for him or her to remove as much of the drug from the body. Charcoal is another method used in the case of an overdose from Vicodin because it also prevents further absorption into the body.

Common withdrawals consist of nausea, diarrhea, anxiety, and cold-like symptoms. Abruptly discontinuing the use can result in depression and seizures. A Vicodin addict should treat the whole disease, keeping in mind that it is a physical and mental addiction. It is known that if someone has developed a dependency to Vicodin they typically have or can be addicted to other illicit drugs.

Medical Detox: Under medical supervision an addict can safely taper off Vicodin. Typically a long-term abuser should take this route to avoid a traumatic detox.

Inpatient Treatment: If an addict is at harm to himself or herself, typically checking into an inpatient treatment facility is advised.

Residential Treatment (short-term and long-term): Providing medical staff, therapy and counseling, and education on addiction. This is a great way to address both the physical and neurological dependency.

Outpatient Clinics: Typically out-patient clinics offer medication management, counseling, therapy and address psychological dependency.

Dual-diagnosis Treatment Centers: Because Vicodin addiction has such a high correlation with abusing other drugs dual diagnosis treatment centers might be essential for recovery.

12 Step Programs: Programs such as Narcotics Anonymous are beneficial for long-term sobriety, support and self-help.

Because a doctor prescribes Vicodin, denial plays a major role in not treating or understanding Vicodin addiction. If you or a loved one needs treatment for Vicodin dependency reach out there is help.

Seeking Out Treatment for a Family Member

Seeking Out Treatment for a Family Member

Alcoholism is a devastating disease, destroying the lives of the alcoholic and loved ones witnessing the destruction. When a loved one is drinking their life away, it can seem like a selfish drawn out suicide. It's a disease that lies in the mind. A main component to the disease of alcoholism is a continuous state of denial, despair, and hopelessness. In most cases the family of an alcoholic has to take on the challenge of sending their loved one to alcohol rehab. It is a challenge, but there comes a time when the suffering just has to stop.

Beat the Denial

Denial is a huge enabler of not receiving treatment, in both the alcoholic and the family. There are no excuses or trauma that can make living with alcoholism okay. There was once a reason why they picked up the bottle, but what matters now is how to stop the drinking.

Find an Alcohol Rehab

Alcohol treatment centers are professional and specialize in providing the best support, therapy, and medical care. Alcohol rehab centers provide a variety of services, amenities and dynamics. Do some research to help decide what you're looking for in an alcohol treatment center. Ultimately they will be in good hands.

Intervention

Because of denial, lack of communication or simply not knowing how to talk about treatment with your loved one, an intervention probably is the best route. An intervention opens the alcoholic's mind to their behavior, focusing and discussing how their alcoholism is destroying not only their own life, but of others around them. Presenting another way of life, free of the burden of alcohol, as well as a solution, hopefully will give them a sense of hope and desperation. Make it their decision. Shine light on how alcoholism is destroying their life and what they won't have if they don't take the gift of treatment.

Get Support

It is vital to have support from family, trusted friends, and most importantly from a support group. Like Al-Anon or Nar-Anon, you can find support from peers of all walks of life experiencing the same feelings that you and your family are enduring.

Adolescent Rehab Information

Adolescent Rehab Information

Drug abuse has become a serious problem among adolescents today. Illicit substances are becoming more readily available to teens, the Internet has allowed massive sharing of positive drug experiences, and in some social circles, drugs are becoming increasingly acceptable. Being a teenager is a difficult time, as new challenges arise and peer pressure is imminent.

Recently, studies finding adolescent drug use statistics have found that about half of American students try an illicit substance by the time they graduate high school. Although not all teens who try drugs become an addict, their young, impressionable minds make them especially susceptible to developing a dependency. Research has continually shown that those who start using illicit substances at a younger age are more likely to develop a dependency.

A popular and efficient way for a teen to recover from drug or alcohol abuse is by going to an adolescent drug rehab center. Adolescent drug rehab programs across the country have resources to aid teens in living a sober life. Specialists in teen addiction set up programs to help the individual find a healthier lifestyle.

Many teen drug rehabs employ a similar program of recovery. Adolescent drug rehabilitation may need to start with detoxification. Detox gives teens a medically safe environment to rid their body of substances. Detoxification allows the user to have the most painless withdrawal as possible from drugs. Opiates, amphetamines, methamphetamines, and heavy alcohol use often require a supervised detox program.

Adolescent drug rehab centers are commonly residential centers. Residents live at the treatment facility, providing a substance-free environment. Also known as inpatient treatment, it is beneficial because the temptations and peer pressure are not present, allowing the adolescent focus on sobriety.

Outpatient teen rehab programs are another form of treatment for adolescents. Outpatient facilities conduct a program during a period of the day, and allow the patient to leave during other hours. Individuals usually partake in group therapy, individual counseling, and a form of life coaching sessions.

Continuance of care is an important aspect of teen drug abuse recovery. Alumni meetings involving those who have gone through the same program are a popular method of aftercare. Also, some may choose to live in a transitional living in order to live with peers who are experiencing the same challenges. Some adolescent drug rehab programs may encourage involvement in a twelve-step program after completing their program as well.

Types of Drug Rehab Treatment

Types of Drug Rehab Treatment

There are various types of drug rehab programs offered, including:

• Residential Treatment (inpatient)
• Long-term Treatment
• Outpatient Treatment
• Medical Detox
• Methadone Maintenance
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment
• Drug Replacement Therapy
• Local support groups
• Extended care centers
• Recovery homes, also know as Sober Livings or Transitional Livings
• Non 12-step rehabs
• 12-Step Treatment

Depending on the severity and nature of the individual's addiction, different treatment models should be used. Detoxification is usually the first step in drug rehab. Withdrawal symptoms can be extremely dangerous and should be treated with proper medical attention. However, detox is just the initial phase, it does not determine long-term abstinence; entering a drug rehab treatment program is the best bet.

Choosing the appropriate drug treatment program is essential for starting out on this journey. When determining the appropriate drug rehab treatment program, the individual's drug of choice will present a significant role in determining which program to enter.

There are slight differences between treatment facilities:

• Specialize in treating less severe addictions
• Specifically
• On-going treatment of therapy
• Long-term treatment, lasting more than 28 days
• Wilderness Programs
• Specialize in severe addictions- may include other disorders or medical histories
• Christian drug treatment facilities
• Single sexed programs
• Age specific programs
• Location and social status factors
• Co-occurring disorders
• One on one counseling sessions

Can I go to Treatment Instead of Jail?

Can I go to Treatment Instead of Jail?

Due to the overcrowding in jails and the increasing realization that jail does not help rehabilitate drug addicts, those in legal trouble can be given the option of attending a drug rehab program rather than serving prison time. Drug rehab is more constructive for alcohol or drug related problems because they can attend therapy sessions, have individual time with addiction specialists, and learn how to live a more satisfying life.

It has been shown that prison time is ineffective in improving one's lifestyle or adjusting one's attitude around their addiction. Therefore, drug rehab is the better option to introduce recovery in order to lessen their chances of returning to jail.

If one's drinking and drug use has landed them in front of a judge or in the courtroom, one's lawyer should ask if they could go to rehab instead of jail. Depending on the court system, drug rehab may be a consideration, but specific rules and regulations will be applied when choosing a drug rehab program to attend. When choosing a program, the judge will take into consideration the length of time and intensity of the program. Throughout the rehab process, the judge or legal system will check in on the accused person several times to demonstrate the character and life changes that have been made.

According to the Drug Rehab Center Hotline, jail can in fact lead some deeper into their disease. Since jail removes people from a normal, functioning community, when they eventually do re-enter society, they struggle adjusting, which leads them back to drug and alcohol use. This aspect most likely was a major factor in them using in the first place. If sent to a drug rehab instead of jail, he or she can focus on how to become a functioning member of society and take back control of their lives.

About half of all violent crimes are related to drug and alcohol use. Since these substances present such an inherent part in crimes, many governments are directing criminals to drug rehab centers to rehabilitate them rather than taking up jail space. Guidelines on drug rehab facilities for these criminals differentiate depending on the state's legal system; for example, the length of stay and necessary requirements to be completed for release. All in all, sending a criminal to a drug rehab facility instead of prison may be beneficial for themselves as well as society.

Texas and California have shown that rehabilitation has shown better results for non-violent crime offenders than serving jail time. Texas began imprisoning youth offenders with non-violent crimes for longer period of time, hoping this would decrease their rising amount of youth offenders. California took a different approach by putting their non-violent youth offenders in a rehabilitation center. According to the Center for Juvenile and Criminal Justice, the results for Texas showed that their stricter incarceration policy was unwarranted and that non-incarcerate alternatives should be considered.

Common Concerns for Parents of Drug Addicts

Common Concerns for Parents of Drug Addicts

Finding out that your child is addicted to drugs is devastating. In some cases, this can feel unreal--"How could this happen?", "Not my child!", "But he/she is such a great kid". The initial reaction to learning about your child's addiction can trigger denial, anger, fear, and the list goes on. Regardless of the feelings stirring inside, your child needs. The first step should be immediately getting help for your child.

Some common questions parents ask when discovering that their child is addicted to drugs include:

• What could we have done?
• Did we cause this?
• What could we have done differently?
• How did we miss this?
• What happens now?
• I can't believe they would do this--what about their future?
• How do we fix this?
• How did this happen?
• Who got them into this?

For young people under eighteen years of age, making, distributing, selling, possessing or using illegal drugs of any kind and any quantity is a serious felony resulting in severe mandatory sentences. If these illegal activities take place within a school zone, the penalties for these offenses are still more severe.

If you are a minor or know a minor who receives a Minor In Possession (MIP) charge, a skilled and aggressive criminal defense lawyer is critical to negotiating the case. Because MIP charges can warrant prison time, drug rehabilitation treatment may no longer be an option. When it comes to using or selling drugs, regardless of your age, it is crucial to know what kinds of laws you are breaking before you break them. If a minor is charged with the distribution or sale of illegal drugs, or is involved in a drug transaction in any way, shape, or form, the minimum mandatory prison sentence may be as long as five years and can be as much as twenty years with fines as high as $100,000.

Drug abuse has become a serious problem among adolescents today. Illicit substances are becoming more readily available to teens, the Internet has allowed massive sharing of positive drug experiences, and in some social circles, drugs are becoming increasingly acceptable. Being a teenager is a difficult time, as new challenges arise and peer pressure is imminent.

Recently, studies finding adolescent drug use statistics have found that about half of American students try an illicit substance by the time they graduate high school. Although not all teens who try drugs become an addict, their young, impressionable minds make them especially susceptible to developing a dependency. Research has continually shown that those who start using illicit substances at a younger age are more likely to develop a dependency.

A popular and efficient way for a teen to recover from drug or alcohol abuse is by going to an adolescent drug rehab center. Adolescent drug rehab programs across the country have resources to aid teens in living a sober life. Specialists in teen addiction set up programs to help the individual find a healthier lifestyle.

Many teen drug rehabs employ a similar program of recovery. Adolescent drug rehabilitation may need to start with detoxification. Detox gives teens a medically safe environment to rid their body of substances. Detoxification allows the user to have the most painless withdrawal as possible from drugs. Opiates, amphetamines, methamphetamines, and heavy alcohol use often require a supervised detox program.

Adolescent drug rehab centers are commonly residential centers. Residents live at the treatment facility, providing a substance-free environment. Also known as inpatient treatment, it is beneficial because the temptations and peer pressure are not present, allowing the adolescent focus on sobriety.

Outpatient teen rehab programs are another form of treatment for adolescents. Outpatient facilities conduct a program during a period of the day, and allow the patient to leave during other hours. Individuals usually partake in group therapy, individual counseling, and a form of life coaching sessions.

Continuance of care is an important aspect of teen drug abuse recovery. Alumni meetings involving those who have gone through the same program are a popular method of aftercare. Also, some may choose to live in a transitional living in order to live with peers who are experiencing the same challenges. Some adolescent drug rehab programs may encourage involvement in a twelve-step program after completing their program as well.

Recovery Through the 12 Steps

Recovery Through the 12 Steps

So you've been to a drug treatment program and have gotten clean off drugs and alcohol. Easy. But how do you maintain your sobriety? Well, that part requires daily work.

You might consider enrolling in an aftercare program, such as can be found in an outpatient facility, family and individual therapy, or a sober living house. These are a few things you can do to build a strong foundation in sobriety. Beneficial though these factors can be on someone newly sober, knowing what to do when it's just you and your life is key. How do you face life on life's terms?

Now that you are clean and sober, you are most likely instructed to find a sponsor. But why should you find a sponsor? How can this person help you? A sponsor is someone who can offer advice and guidance to you in early sobriety, relating their personal struggles with addiction in the hopes that their experience may benefit you and motivate you to stay sober. But most importantly, a sponsor is someone with a working knowledge of the twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and who can take you through each one thoroughly.

These are the steps many have taken which are suggested a program of recovery from drugs and alcohol:

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol-that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.

4. Made a searching a fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Working the twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is by far the best way to ensure personal recovery and long-lasting sobriety. In doing so, you are relieved of resentments, obsessions, fears and insecurities; you are given the opportunity to make things right with family, friends, and co-workers; you get to exercise spirituality and humility, and to practice prayer and meditation; and you are also introduced to the idea of a Higher Power divorced from any religious ideology or doctrine. To the alcoholic who works all twelve steps and practices these principles in all their affairs, a new life full of promise awaits.

Rebuilding Relationships in Sobriety

Rebuilding Relationships in Sobriety

Recovering alcoholics and addicts are not going to change over night, therefore relationships that have been strained over the years are not going to be healed or mended right away. Sometimes when we get sober we wish to make right all we have done wrong immediately. We wish that on the basis of our sobriety alone, our friends and family will trust and respect us. This is not reality. Mending relationships can take time effort on our behalf.

Being physically sober is just the beginning of our recovery journey. We have done damage to ourselves and to others. With the help of a sponsor or a therapist we are able to see clearly the ways we have affected the lives of others through selfishness and destruction. Sometimes we have no idea that we have wronged a person until we get completely honest with ourselves.

Family and Friends aren’t always on the one-day-at-a-time program and may not be impressed that you have simply stayed sober. Often they want results of healthy behavior and restitution for the harm we have caused over the years. It’s too much for us to expect to regain trust of our family and friends after a short period of time. Good relationships don’t happen overnight for us, this is something we have to nurture on a daily basis.

How can we expect ourselves to know how to have good relationships if we’ve been leaving a trail of wreckage in people’s lives for years? Recovery is like being reborn and given a new set of tools for living. Of course we’re not going to know what a healthy relationship looks like if we’ve never had one. This is where we trust the experience shared by our friends in recovery to help guide us into better living. With a clear view of ourselves and our behaviors, we can take new approaches to the way we treat people. For some, it may mean consistently calling their relative once a week. For others maybe it means showing up for a friend in a time of need. Sometimes it’s as simple as offering to pick someone up from the airport without expecting anything in return. Our friends and family like consistency. We want to become dependable people.

Don’t be upset if your friend or family member is wary about getting close to you. Our drinking and drugging has caused people a lot of pain and it’s not realistic to think that everyone will be so forgiving. Recovery takes daily effort and relationships need time to heal and grow. Listen to people that have relationships you admire. What are they doing differently?

Because alcoholism is a family disease, our friends and families may chose to go to Al-Anon or other family support groups to help build better skills for themselves. Often alcoholics themselves have found these support groups helpful in recovery as many of us deal with Al-Anon or codependency issues.

While we can’t expect all of our old relationships to be healed in recovery, if we work hard we can build new and healthy relationships.

Drug Rehabs: Deciding Where to Go

Drug Rehabs: Deciding Where to Go

Once its been decided that you need help, it can be overwhelming choosing from the thousands of rehabs available-should I stay here or go out of state? Who do I ask about this? What do I do? Help!! When choosing a drug rehab program, finding the appropriate fit is paramount. Here are some factors to consider before making your final decision:

• Success Rate: Many programs do not state success rates due to the nature of this disease. However, you can ask to speak with a graduate of the drug rehab facility or family members of addicts who have gone through their program. Through hearing about their experience first hand will give you a feel of the program.
• Methods: Ask each program what method they use, for example, do they provide individualized care, or holistic care. Choose a program that will address issues pertaining to you, especially prior to addiction. Ask facilities if they address physical and mental conditions of addiction along with psychological aspects.
• Services: Look into the services provided at the drug rehab. If a loved one is making the final decision on which program to attend, perhaps check if they offer a family program. If you have any legal issues, ask if they help with these.
• Staff: The staff members are key elements of drug rehab programs. Ask how experienced the staff members are, if they are qualified for their positions, and what real-life knowledge they have with drug addiction. Many who work in treatment are in recovery themselves, which allows patients to receive extra support and guidance.
• Follow-up Program: Entering into a drug rehab program is the first step to recovery, but that is all it is, a first step. Once discharged from treatment, real life begins. Looking into the program's follow-up and aftercare programs are important for they provide tools for newly rehabilitated addicts to transition into society.
• Location: For some, location is the key factor in deciding which drug rehab program to attend. Do you want to stay local? Go out of state? What type of environment are you looking for?
• Length: Drug rehabilitation programs differ on length of stay. The basic, standard program length is 28 days, but studies have shown that the longer an addict stays in inpatient care, they increase the odds of remaining sober after treatment.
• Price: If you are deciding which drug rehab program to go to, it means that you need help. However, drug rehab programs can be extremely expensive and financial issues do play a major role in decision-making. Before eliminating potential programs, ask about insurance coverage and if they offer any financial aid. Also, it is important to ask yourself the basic questions-Do they offer what I'm looking for?

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