Drug addiction is one of the most serious problems of humanity. About 300 million people in the world use drugs at least once a year. This is comparable to the US population.
Of course, no one plans to become an alcoholic or a drug addict voluntarily. This happens due to a fatal coincidence of life circumstances – each person has their own story. Most often, it all starts out of curiosity, and then psychological and physiological dependence arises.
Many people are sure that they have a strong character and willpower of steel – they believe they can quit at any moment. In practice, everything is completely different – drugs change the personality.
As a result, a person has neither volitional qualities nor physiological possibilities to abandon drugs after a certain period of substance abuse. This period varies from a couple of doses to several years (depending on the drug and the body’s resistance), but the ending is always the same.
Since it is almost impossible to get out of this pit on your own, specialized medical institutions come to the rescue.
State programs for drug addicts in the United States
There are two main government programs aimed at detecting addiction and its treatment in the United States. The first is called Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). Its task is to identify the maximum number of drug addicts and then convince each of them to undergo drug addiction treatment.
The second curious program is called Access to Recovery (ATR). It is needed in order to solve the household and other problems of a drug addict who has agreed to treatment. In particular, under this program, you can receive funding (or compensation for the money spent) for the journey to the place where you will receive drug addiction treatment. In addition, ATR is useful, for example, for those addictions who have no one to leave their children with during treatment and rehabilitation.
Much attention is also paid to work with drug addicts who have committed crimes. If a drug addict has committed a non-serious crime and was sentenced for less than ten years, detention can be replaced by a suspended sentence if he or she agrees to undergo a course of compulsory treatment and rehabilitation, and later does not object to constant monitoring of his or her blood condition. For convicts, drug addiction treatment lasts six months, and the rehabilitation course lasts three years.
Drug treatment clinics in the USA
As a rule, an American drug treatment clinic is a country mansion with a vast territory. Of course, the site is surrounded by a high, solid fence along the perimeter. Access to the territory is as limited as possible, the gates are guarded around the clock. Typically, the clinic is located away from residential areas, in a quiet and secluded location. Yet this is a boarding house, and its patients should feel at ease.
In a rehabilitation center, recovering drug addicts spend quite a lot of time – as a rule, from six months to a year, but there are also those who live longer. Of course, good living conditions are needed for a person to live in one place for a long time without getting out. That is why, when designing drug treatment clinics and rehabilitation centers, so much attention is paid to residential buildings.
Usually, accommodation is organized in dorms for 4-8 people. Boys and girls usually live apart. Each self-respecting clinic also has separate VIP-class rooms for individual accommodation. In terms of equipment, a separate room resembles a 3-4-star hotel room (if we are not talking about a luxury clinic), and a common room is a good hostel.
As a rule, much attention is paid to nutrition. Like all convalescents, ex-addicts need to eat well. Usually, they are fed 4-5 times a day, taking into account individual preferences. You will need strength in the fight against mortal danger.
Standard inpatient addiction treatment facilities cost between $14,000 and $27,000 for a 30-day program. The cost of care may seem overwhelming for many addicts but it’s important to complete the treatment in order to return to normal life. Some patients admit they even had to take online payday loans in NC to cover expensive rehabilitation. Indeed, such loans may turn out a good option to get cash urgently and start treatment. These are short-term loans that are typically repaid within 30 days. Payday loans are very popular today as they have fewer requirements and are easy to get. You can use cash for whatever purpose, including medical treatment.
What are the stages of the rehabilitation program?
- Identification of hidden problems that caused the substance use;
- Drawing up an individual treatment and rehabilitation plan;
- Acquaintance of the patient with the rules of life in a rehabilitation center;
- Integration into the center’s “mini-model of society”, as close as possible to real social life;
- Finding the patient’s own place in society, defining the role. Training in personal responsibility for decisions made;
- Awareness of the causal relationship of addiction. Awareness of the problem, voluntary referral to specialists;
- Control and analysis by the patient of his/her own thoughts, emotions and actions. Instilling self-control skills.
A team of specialists works with the patient throughout all stages of the rehabilitation process (in group and individual lessons): psychotherapists, psychiatrists, narcologists, psychologists, gestalt therapists. They track even the slightest changes in the patient’s psyche.
Every week, the staff of the center gathers for consultations. The medical history of each patient is considered personally, medical specialists develop individual plans for psycho correction and adaptation.
Rehabilitation methods
12 steps
12 steps is the oldest program for the treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction, one of the most effective and popular in the world. At each of the 12 step-stages, the patient works through psychosocial trauma and thinking disorders that force him to take psychoactive substances, forms a conscious motivation for a sober lifestyle.
Gestalt therapy
The purpose of the method is to identify the patient’s psychosocial needs, which he/she is trying to fill with psychotropic substances: for example, the desire to drown out emotional experiences and overcome stress, feel more confident and earn the recognition of friends. The psychotherapist helps the addict to become aware of these needs and find a way to satisfy them in a healthy way, teaches him/her to let go of negative experiences and focus on the present.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
The specialist helps to identify and eliminate the habitual patterns of thinking and behavior that cause negative emotions in the patient, push for self-destruction. To correct such destructive cognitive schemas, the therapist models potentially stressful situations in which the patient learns to think and behave in an unusual and healthier way.
Art therapy
Methods of fine art – drawing, modeling – help the patient to throw out hidden emotional experiences, relax the nervous system, restore and stimulate healthy brain function.
Psychodrama
Under the guidance of a psychotherapist, patients act out role-plays on given topics. Such trainings teach addicts self-control in stressful and conflict situations, help to work through habitual mistakes and fears in social communication.
Family psychotherapy
Joint sessions of the patient with relatives help to work through the psychological trauma of childhood, resolve family conflicts, restore or form healthy trusting relationships.
Physiotherapy team
The team includes physical therapy and gym instructors, yoga coaches, specialists in various types of massage.
Psychologists
Psychologists provide professional psychological support and useful advice on the prevention of addiction for patients’ relatives.