In the United States alone, millions of people suffer from substance abuse and addiction. While many people seek out help and get diagnosed with drug or alcohol addiction, there are millions more suffering without getting life-saving treatment.
Those struggling with addiction may not realize the seriousness of their problem without getting treatment, but there is hope. If you or a family member are struggling with substance abuse and addiction, the information on this page will help guide you toward recovery.
- How does substance abuse begin?
- What are the signs of substance abuse?
- How does treatment help substance abuse?
- What types of treatments are available?
- What programs are offered?
- Is treatment usually successful?
- Is substance abuse rehab available near me in Colorado?
- Call Denver Recovery Center today for help.
How does substance abuse begin?
Substance abuse can take a person by surprise and can affect them before they even know it. Many people do not even realize that they are abusing a substance or that they have a problem. Drinking or using drugs outside of a doctor’s directions can quickly lead to a substance abuse problem. What starts small can turn into a significant issue involving addiction and dependency. It can happen so fast that a person loses control before they know it. Additionally, those that already suffer from depression, anxiety, or some other underlying illness are more likely to succumb to substance addiction.
What are the signs of substance abuse?
Depending on the type of substance, signs of abuse can differ. Despite differences, there are behavioral signs that span just about all substances. Some of these signs of abuse include the following:
- Lying or being secretive
- Strained relationships with family and friends
- Poor performance at school or work
- Defensiveness or aggression about substance use
- Money problems
- Visits to multiple doctors
If these signs are prevalent in someone you know, they may need to seek treatment for substance abuse. It is essential that they get help for substance addiction before it’s too late.
How does treatment help substance abuse?
Many people that struggle with substance abuse either believe they don’t have a problem, or they think they can handle it on their own without any professional help. Most people that try to deal with their addiction on their own are unable to overcome it. They are also more likely to relapse and go right back to using, which can be even more dangerous.
The key to effective substance abuse rehab is getting to the underlying issues. By getting to the root of the problem in a safe and stable environment, those suffering from addiction have a much better chance at recovery. Addiction treatment specialists and other medical professionals can provide expert care and monitoring to keep a patient on the road to recovery and sobriety. Without professional help, a patient is more likely to experience a relapse, which could also lead to a deadly overdose. It is vital for those suffering from substance abuse addiction to seek professional help.
What types of treatments are available?
Just as there are numerous types of substances abused, there are also many ways to treat addictions. Many of these treatments are available at Denver Recovery Center.
Individual Counseling
Those suffering from substance abuse and addiction can benefit from individual counseling from a professional therapist. This counseling is usually just one part of the recovery process combined with other forms of treatment, but it is often one of the most important parts.
The first step to recovery is admitting that there is a problem. Then that individual can take part in productive counseling. Individual counseling is performed in a one-on-one setting. By having counseling sessions that are private by nature, individuals in treatment tend to be more open about their issues and experiences. The more comfortable the patient can be, the more effective their sessions will be. There is no judgment, and everything the patient reveals to their therapist is entirely confidential.
In many cases of substance abuse, the individual starts using drugs or alcohol as a result of some other underlying issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or something else. To deal with these issues, that person may turn to drugs or alcohol in an effort to relieve the pain or suppress their feelings. This form of self-medication can lead to substance abuse and addiction, which brings with it a series of additional problems.
With individual counseling, the goal is to identify the root of the substance abuse by looking at the underlying issues that may be causing it. A patient can establish a relationship with their counselor so that they will feel comfortable telling them personal information and making themselves vulnerable. Over time, the patient can begin to heal by addressing their issues and learning how to overcome them without the use of drugs or alcohol. Since the therapist is there to help and to make everything feel safe, the patient can comfortably open up about their lives, which will lead them on a path to healing while lowering the risk of a future relapse.
Anyone can benefit from individual counseling. While its methods are effective, it takes time and the commitment to want to get better. The road to recovery is often not easy, but therapy has been proven to help a wide range of people struggling with addiction, and it can help you too.
EMDR Therapy
Disturbing experiences can cause emotional distress. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy deals with the mind’s ability to heal from emotional wounds.
Our bodies can heal from physical wounds automatically. Just like our bodies, our minds also want to be healed from negative states of being. Much in the same way a physical injury may have a blockage that hinders proper healing, the mind also can experience blockages. Once the obstruction is removed, then the brain can work on healing emotionally.
Removing a mental block is often more complicated than healing a physical wound. There are many issues to consider when trying to treat mental health. This form of therapy is still relatively new, but it can help to relieve the pain caused by traumatic events or memories.
EMDR involves what is known as “talk therapy.” A patient will work with a counselor to talk about specific experiences that may cause mental or emotional discomfort. Therapy sessions focus on the individual by talking through issues and past problems that stimulate mental and emotional healing. The patient will also develop the skills necessary to better deal with their issues in the future.
Life Skills Training
Everyone in our society needs certain life skills in order to live a productive and happy life. Often, people suffering from drug addiction have not developed these skills because they were more focused on using drugs and alcohol. Life skills training will help those struggling with substance abuse to learn how to make smart decisions that will lead to a better and more stable life.
Some of the skills taught to patients in rehab are listed here:
- Coping with difficult emotions
- Dealing with stress
- Managing anger
- Academic skills
- Vocational skills
- Leadership
- Money management
- Time management
- Awareness of physical health
- Cooking and nutritional education
- Recreation therapy
Learning valuable life skills and being able to utilize them can be vital to preventing a relapse. Since each person is different, a counselor will get to know the patient first to better prescribe what type of treatment they will need. Counselors will develop a treatment plan that best suits the individual patient and their specific need for life skills training.
Some individuals may be lacking in specific life skills, but completely proficient in others. It is important for their counselor to identify the problem areas and then work with them to get better. Everyone has a different set of skills, but they can learn additional skills as well, making them better equipped to take on life after addiction.
What programs are available?
There are several programs offered to individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse:
- Detox: One of the first things a patient might do when beginning the rehab process is going through a detox program. Detox entails the patient going off whatever substance they had been abusing by cleansing the body of all contaminants. Once the body has eliminated the toxins, the patient can begin a treatment program like those offered at Denver Recovery Center to stay off of drugs or alcohol.
- Inpatient: Patients getting help with addiction live at the facility while undergoing treatment programs, including individual counseling sessions, group therapy, and other programs. This type of living arrangement allows the patient to focus solely on getting better without having to worry about outside distractions.
- Outpatient: These programs allow a patient to continue living at home while visiting the treatment facility for therapy, meetings, and other treatment programs. Outpatient programs allow patients to continue with some of their regular life activities while at the same time working to make things better through rehab.
While Denver Recovery Center may not have some particular treatment programs available in-house, our specialized counselors and intake professionals can guide patients that would benefit from these treatments to places that can help them with each specific step in recovery.
Is substance abuse treatment usually successful?
The success of rehab can be defined in many different ways, but it is usually based on whether or not the patient has gained the skills to live a more healthy and happy life. While there are many types of addiction treatments that have proven to be successful, it is not only about getting off drugs.
To have a successful treatment program, and individual seeking help has to be willing to give the time and effort to recover. Overcoming addiction is not easy. If it was, most people wouldn’t need professional and would be able to get better on their own. However, addiction involves a tough road to recovery, which is why there are experts here to help each patient individually. By working with patients, professionally trained counselors can create a treatment program specialized to the individual.
People entering a treatment program should not expect to cured of addiction immediately. Recovery is a long process that is about getting better as a whole, not just stopping drug abuse. People can have successful results and seem okay, but then have a relapse and need to go back to the beginning. The goal of substance abuse rehab is to provide the patient with the tools and skills they need not only to overcome their addiction, but also to use these tools and skills to stay away from drugs and alcohol by making a better overall life for themselves. Most addictions stem from personal issues or unhappiness in life. Patients can learn how to become happier and healthier, which increases their chances of never turning back to substance abuse.
The first step to a successful substance abuse treatment and rehab program is for you to admit that you have a problem and need help. By working with trained professionals, you can start the road to a better life, free of addiction.
Is there substance abuse treatment near me in Colorado?
Those looking for a rehab program in Colorado can visit the Denver Recovery Center located in Broomfield. The professionals at our facility will meet with you individually to come up with the best plan for you using traditional treatment and life skills training.
We offer several different rehab programs, from outpatient, dual-diagnosis, holistic, and group therapies, among others. The center provides a safe environment for people to focus on their recovery while being as comfortable as possible.
If you or a loved one are looking for a way to overcome addiction and live a happier and healthier life, then Denver Recovery Center has everything needed to find success in beating drug and alcohol addiction.
