It’s never easy to send a loved one to treatment. When you stage an intervention and ask a loved one to attend treatment, it signifies the person is either oblivious of a substance misuse problem or is aware but has thus far refused or failed to seek help. Although the experience is usually distressing and emotional, an addicted individual is unlikely to be able to stop taking the substance or function normally in society without treatment.
When Is It Necessary to Seek Assistance?
The first step is to recognize that you have an addiction. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the Drug Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 23.5 million people aged 12 and older in the United States were assessed to be in need of substance abuse treatment in 2009. Addiction is a mental condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or financial circumstances.
The majority of persons who get addicted to a substance are either unaware of or deny that they have a problem. Addiction usually develops over time, either with substance abuse or, in the case of legally prescribed medications, long-term use. Even those who strictly adhere to dosage guidelines can get addicted to habit-forming drugs, but this is a rare occurrence. Regular substance usage can develop to tolerance, which means that more and more of the substance is required to achieve the same effect.
As time passes, it becomes increasingly likely that dependency may develop. Addiction occurs in both physical and psychological manifestations for most substances and alcohol. Physical addiction refers to the changes that occur in the user’s body and mind to tolerate the presence of a foreign substance on a regular basis. When drug intake is drastically reduced or stopped entirely, this facet of addiction causes withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are often unpleasant – to the point that the idea of withdrawal can discourage someone from trying to quit – and they can even be hazardous.
Psychological addiction refers to the emotional side of addiction. It is characterized by psychological cravings and a general sense that the substance is required to get through the day. Emotional suffering, such as anxiety and sadness, will result from a lack of or expected lack of access to the substance.
Addiction Symptoms
It’s easy to recognize the indications of addiction once you understand addiction. The following are some of the most common indications of a substance abuse problem:
- Alterations in the social circle
- Hygiene and grooming habits have changed.
- Changes in one’s capacity to balance work, education, and family obligations
- Keeping away from circumstances where the material is unlikely to be available.
- Preoccupation with how, when, and where to obtain and consume the material
- When you quit taking the medication, you will experience unpleasant symptoms.
- When the substance isn’t available, anxiety and disquiet arise.
- Inability to give up the drug despite negative social, economical, and legal implications
Any of these indications could indicate a substance misuse problem, but they don’t always indicate addiction. Determining whether or not to intervene in a person’s drug or alcohol use is a judgment decision that may necessitate a second view from other family members or health professionals.
Fortunately, there is a standard method for facing an addicted loved one and getting them into a treatment facility. Addiction treatment centers will make preparations for newcomers so that they can be admitted as soon as they accept treatment. However, this means that anyone considering sending a recalcitrant family member to rehab will need to plan ahead.
What is the Best Way to Find a Rehab Program?
There are nearly 14,500 specialist addiction treatment institutions in the United States alone, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
The majority of them deal with a variety of substance addictions and provide services such as:
- Detoxification under medical supervision
- Rehabilitation can be done both inpatient and outpatient.
- Behavioral therapy is a type of counseling that focuses on
- Counseling for individuals and groups
- Addiction treatment with medication
- Management of the case
- Peer-to-peer support
- Coping education and training after treatment
The best treatment center for each person is determined by the severity of the problem, the drug to which the person is addicted, the individual’s or family’s financial condition, proximity to home and transportation concerns, and a variety of other variables. There are a variety of directories that may be utilized to find addiction treatment programs and specialists in your area.
Residential addiction treatment, according to most specialists, is the most successful. This entails spending several weeks in a specialist facility and participating in daily treatment programs like 12-Step meetings or other support group sessions, as well as individual counseling. Individuals enrolled in these programs are not permitted to leave until the treatment term is over, and they are not permitted to use any substances other than those prescribed by a physician. This eliminates the issue of temptation and enables for 24-hour treatment of withdrawal symptoms and any resulting psychological disorders.
This is often the type of treatment to choose when organizing an intervention for a loved one who is addicted. The intervention is a difficult process in which addicts frequently agree to treatment, but they can change their minds once the emotions of the intervention have passed. The most successful strategy is to contact and make arrangements with an inpatient treatment center before the intervention so that they are ready to accept the addicted person right away. It is impossible to change people’s minds in this manner.
Treatment and Intervention
Many people have seen or heard about an intervention in some form. It’s frequently depicted in the media in a generic manner, although each intervention is a very personalized experience. It usually entails a group of the addicted person’s loved ones gathering in a safe place to talk to the person about their thoughts regarding the substance misuse problem. It doesn’t have to be a surprise, and it doesn’t have to end with treatment. Addicts may be enraged and indignant, in denial about their addiction, or just refuse help. Loved ones may succumb or engage in enabling conduct.
Using the services of an addiction specialist or a representative from an addiction treatment center is frequently the best course of action. Professional interventionists who act as a mediator if conflict arises are also available to help the process operate as smoothly as possible. Interventions using this strategy have a high success rate of getting the addicted person into a recovery facility within 24 hours.
If treatment is approved, the addict should be escorted to a rehab facility right away. The person will be checked into a room after being examined for further conditions such as physical illness and co-occurring mental illness. Clients are permitted to bring clothing and some personal things, but no pharmaceuticals of any type are permitted unless they have been cleared by the facility’s medical staff. They’ll usually be paired with a roommate and engage with other clients on a daily basis.
Family members are usually encouraged to visit to support the addict as well as attend educational and training classes to learn more about addiction and how to best support the client after the rehab program is over. Individuals in recovery must continue to receive support and care after completing treatment, as this procedure does not “fix” addiction. Temptations and desires might resurface years later, especially during stressful times. Long-term rehabilitation is, however, entirely achievable with the correct coping strategies as well as love and support from those around the individual.
