Goals of treatment at an alcohol and drug treatment centre

First step – detox

Most addicts don’t enter a rehabilitation facility sober. Many come in after a binge – either because they weren’t planning to enter drug or alcohol rehab or because they’re extremely fearful about what will happen in a rehabilitation centre. What do addicts in fear do? They get as high as possible. So the first goal of treatment is detoxification. Its length and complexity varies depending on the degree of addiction, the physical condition of the addict, the amount of alcohol or drugs ingested prior to admission and the drug(s) involved. When the alcohol and/ or drug are stopped at the addiction rehab, the addict experiences ‘withdrawal’ symptoms. These are manifested in emotional instability, appetite problems, sleep issues, physical symptoms such as tremors, muscular pains, constipation, etc. These symptoms are medically managed at the addiction treatment centre.

All clients being admitted to Hope Trust rehab facility undergo a comprehensive physical check up and a psychological evaluation.

Then,

breaking of denial:

After detox, rehab’s first goal is to break denial so the patient accepts he’s an alcoholic or addict who needs treatment. This can be a tricky thing to manage in the rehab clinic. Hope Trust has tested protocols to handle this. Clients undergo individual counselling, group therapy, attend other therapeutic sessions such as Yoga, in a therapeutic community along with other recovering alcoholics and addicts. This way they can get motivated by seeing other addicts in the rehab facility get honest and comfortable with their addiction. They can also identify and share their thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental environment.

Educating the addict about addiction

Another goal is to educate clients about the disease model of addiction: that their addictions are not due to lack of willpower or a moral deficiency but they are affected by a primary, progressive and multi-faceted disease and there is a way out. Therefore, they need not feel ashamed or guilty about their addiction, which is most often the case.

Picking up new tools for an new life

The next goal of the alcohol and drug rehab is to teach patients tools to make the monumental mental and behavioral changes necessary for sobriety. Like most treatment programs at drug rehab facilities, this is done this by instruction in the 12-Step recovery program. Alcoholics and addicts learn to recognize and change their negative or addictive thinking and behaviour patterns.

Support after discharge from the rehabilitation centre

Hope Trust rehab facility introduces them to 12-Step support groups such as  Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous so that they can continue their journey in recovery after discharge from the de-addiction centre. Prior to discharge, their individual relapse triggers are identified and contingency plans are discussed for relapse prevention.

Support for the family at a rehab clinic

A good alcohol and drug addiction rehab program will also provide family support – educating them about addiction, initiating a process, help in rebuilding relationships and introduce them to support groups such as Al-anon.