Drug addiction is one of the most common diseases affecting Americans today. In fact, the majority of people in the United States know someone who has been addicted to drugs. Perhaps that is what has brought you here. Someone you know, someone you love, maybe even yourself, is battling a drug addiction. In some way or form, this drug addiction is affecting you and you are ready to make a change.

Drug addiction is an emotionally trying experience for addicts and their families alike. Overwhelmed by the negativity it has imposed on your life, it can be difficult deciding what to do next. You need answers and you need them fast. As a preeminent young adult addiction treatment center in Connecticut, Turnbridge has compiled all you need to know about drug addiction treatment: Here, we answer your questions surrounding what drug treatment is, when and why it is needed, and where you can find it.

What is drug addiction treatment?

Before we can understand the ins and outs of drug addiction treatment, we must first understand the root of it:

Drug addiction is a chronic, compulsive disease characterized by uncontrollable, repeated drug seeking and use. Despite popular belief, addiction is not a fault or a choice – rather, it is a chemical occurrence that happens within the brain; as a person uses drugs, his or her self-control and ability to make sound decisions becomes compromised. Drug use becomes inherent and the brain becomes dependent.

Because addiction is a chronic disease of the brain, it needs a specialized form of treatment. A person cannot simply stop using for a few days and get back on the fast-track to a sober life. You may already know this firsthand – perhaps you have unsuccessfully tried to quit drugs on your own before. Perhaps your loved one has relapsed even after completing drug rehab. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. Addiction is a relapsing disease. It is important for you to remember, however, that it is also treatable.

Most addicted individuals require long-term or repeated care before they can stop using drugs and reach full recovery. The right drug addiction treatment center will offer just this – a constant, safe, drug-free environment, 24/7 watchful care and monitoring, a sober network to call on for support, and evidence-based therapies and sober activities to help ex-users make the most of living sober.

There are many types of drug treatment you can pursue today – from short-term rehab to long-term, residential drug treatment, outpatient to inpatient treatment centers, self-help to 12-step models. In all its forms, however, the goal of professional addiction treatment remains the same: to help users stop their compulsive drug abuse and live a safe, sober, and healthful lifestyle long-term.

Who is in addiction treatment today?

Right now, you may be a bit overwhelmed by the thought of sending your loved one to rehab. You may be afraid of the shame, disappointment, or even changes that will follow. It is important to remember that you are not alone. Nearly 21 million people over age 12 today are battling a clinical drug addiction.

Even more, it is important to remember that drug addiction can happen to anyone—no matter their age, gender, background or upbringing. Husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, colleagues and friends, are just some of the many people in drug rehab. According to recent data from SAMHSA, however, the majority of people in drug addiction treatment today are white, young adult males, between the ages of 21 and 30.

How can I know it’s time to get help? 

It is never too late to get help for a drug addiction. If you are here because you believe someone close to you has a drug problem, your concern may be enough to know that it is time to seek drug treatment. Drug addiction is in fact detrimental, and your loved one may be at risk of its side effects – depression, drug poisoning, brain damage, and overdose are just a few of the many consequences that can stem from progressive drug abuse. For teens and young adults whose brains are not fully developed, the risks are even more pertinent and long-lasting. If your son or daughter is using drugs, early intervention and drug addiction treatment will be essential to his or her long-term health.

The problem is, most users will not seek out professional addiction treatment on their own. Because of the toll that addiction takes on the brain, it can be difficult for the self to recognize when drug use has become a problem. Whether it is a child, a sibling, a friend, or even yourself in question, it may help for you to look for the various signs and symptoms of drug addiction.

What else should I know about drug addiction treatment?

Your loved one deserves the best addiction treatment possible, a program that maintains the values, principles, and therapy models necessary for a lasting recovery. You know this and we know this. But what else should you know before choosing a drug rehab center for your loved one?

• Know that addiction treatment is not one-size-fits all. The type of drug treatment that will work for your loved one will depend on many factors, such as his or her motivation, mental stability, and drug of choice.
• Know that getting sober and living sober are not the same thing. Getting sober implies quitting drugs and detoxing; living sober means understanding how to maintain a drug-free life for life.
• Recovery from drug addiction takes time. Long-term treatment programs (at least 90 days) typically yield the most success in recovery.
• Recovery is a lifelong commitment. It requires time, patience, and dedication. It will not always be easy, but with the right support network behind you, it is in fact possible.
• Recovery also requires change. Know and expect that lifestyle changes will be required not just of the person in recovery, but of the family and friends as well. Make changes in your home or in your attitude that will benefit, not hinder nor enable, your loved one in this journey.
• Know that drug addiction is a disease. Like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer, it should be treated with compassion, skill, and regard. Anyone can be subject to this disease.
• Drug addiction treatment should always be accessible. Costs, requirements, and location should not deter your loved one away from getting the treatment he or she deserves.
• The right drug treatment center will take into consideration all aspects of an addiction and a person’s needs, not just address his or her drug use. A dual diagnosis treatment approach may be needed if your loved one is battling a co-occurring mental disorder, as well.

For more information about drug addiction treatment, or to get started on a treatment plan for your loved one today, please call Turnbridge at 877-581-1793. We are here to answer your questions, talk to you about your treatment options, and help your loved one get started on the path towards recovery.