If you are struggling with substance addiction, know that you are not alone. Today, there are over 21 million people fighting a very similar fight with drugs and alcohol. And while it may be easy to feel that sobriety is impossible, know that recovery is not out of reach. There are also thousands of trained, drug treatment professionals who can help you get sober once again. There are people out there who can help you rebuild your life and pave the way to a bright and healthy future.

It all starts with getting the right help and knowing how to get the right help for your drug addiction.

Choosing a drug rehabilitation program can be an extremely overwhelming decision for you and your loved ones to make. There are thousands of treatment facilities out there: inpatient versus outpatient, long-term versus short-term, how will you know which is right for you? How will you know you are even ready to take that next step?

This is where we can help. The staff at Turnbridge has compiled the first five steps one should take to obtaining professional drug treatment:

Step 1: Assess the state of your problem.

You may have heard it before, but the long-time expression still holds true of the recovery journey: Often, the hardest part is recognizing that a problem exists at all. It is not easy to take a step back and realize that something has got to change. But this step back is also the first step forward as you start down your path towards sobriety. Not only will it help you down a sober road, it will also help you evaluate your problem and determine which treatment plan will be most beneficial for you.

You may be wondering; how will I know if I even need professional help? Addiction is a compulsive, uncontrollable disorder. If you find yourself wanting to stop drug use, but the urge is too strong to control, that is a tell-tale sign of addiction. If you know drugs are hurting you and important aspects of your life, but you still continue to take them, you may very well be addicted. Ask yourself:

• Do you think your drug or alcohol use is excessive?
• Do you ever try to stop or cut down your intake, but can’t?
• Do you use drugs to escape difficult emotions or situations, such as being upset with someone?
• Do you feel pressure to use drugs to keep current relationships?
• Is your drug use hurting relationships that were once important to you?
• Have you experienced withdrawal symptoms?
• Have you ever overdosed?
• Does the thought of running out of drugs scare you?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, contact a trusted doctor, counselor, family member, or rehab center in your area. There is a great chance you are battling a drug addiction.

Step 2: Prepare to make a change.

Right now, you may feel unsure or unready to seek help. You may be thinking you do not have what it takes to quit drugs for good. You do not want to fail; you do not want to disappoint; maybe you do not want to give up your drug of choice just yet. It is normal to feel all this as you begin your sober path. Recovery requires great time, patience, commitment, and support, and that can be scary at first. What you need to do is prepare to make this kind of change in your life.

First, consider what is important to you. Is your substance use affecting those priorities, those people? Ask those you care about most about their opinions of your drug use. Do they see that it is becoming a problem? Do they feel you are not the person they once knew? Then, make a list of the reasons why you want to make a change. It may be to further your career, to rebuild relationships with your family, or to regain your health. Set specific, measurable goals to help guide the changes that are soon to occur.

Think also about your past attempts at quitting. Did you attend drug rehab before? Did you quit drugs for a couple months and then relapse? Ask yourself what worked when you were sober. Then, ask yourself what didn’t work as you spiraled back into the addiction cycle. This may help guide any changes that will need to be made to your treatment plan.

Step 3: Explore your treatment options.

There are many different types of drug treatment available today. The type of treatment you choose should be tailored to you and your needs as you complete the phases of recovery. Keep in mind that everyone’s needs are different, and your addiction treatment program should address yours uniquely.

Perhaps you attended four-weeks of outpatient rehab or meetings in the past, but have since relapsed. This time, you may consider trying residential drug treatment or a long-term treatment center. The National Institute of Drug Abuse suggests that the most successful treatment outcomes stem from a minimum of 90 days in treatment.

Maybe you are battling more than a drug addiction. Most people with a substance use disorder have co-occurring disorders, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders. If this is your case, you may require dual diagnosis treatment, a treatment approach designed to combat mental health issues alongside addiction.

Step 4: Talk to treatment professionals.

You do not have to explore your treatment options on your own. An addiction professional, doctor, or a clinical social worker can help you evaluate your unique needs for treatment and decide on the best next steps for recovery. At Turnbridge, a residential young adult drug rehab center in Connecticut, we work closely with each one of our clients to develop a custom treatment plan tailored to their needs. We can also help you. Together, we can discuss the different types of treatment services and therapies (such as the different behavioral therapies, group and one-to-one therapies, sober recreational activities) and design the best plan accordingly. We will also help you establish goals for recovery.

Step 5: Consider the location of each treatment center.

While it may not be obvious, location is a critical consideration as you explore your treatment center options. You will want to choose a rehab facility that offers you a safe and relaxing environment; somewhere you feel secure and uninterrupted by outside pressures. You will also want a location that gives you the opportunity to network, professionally and socially, with new people who respect and support your sober journey. You will want a positive setting, somewhere that will give you a positive – not confined – outlook on recovery; a place where you can flourish.

At Turnbridge, we believe a setting built for success will bring about the best in an individual. Our rehab facilities are set back on a greenery located in the heart of New Haven, Connecticut – a city bustling with young professionals, active lifestyles, and sober living homes; a perfect combination of urban and suburban life. Here, clients are able to enjoy the nature of space and peacefulness as they focus on healing in our many facilities. As they gain more independence, they are encouraged to venture downtown to volunteer, to attend meetings, and to take on work and classes.

Knowing how to get help for drug addiction is an important step to the recovery process. We commend you for making it this far, for recognizing the extent of your problem and for wanting to make a change in your life. As you take these steps forward, remember that recovery is a process. You are strong. With the right amount of faith, motivation, and patience, you can be successful. You can do this, with the right help and support by your side.

Remember that you can always reach out to us. If you would like more information on how to get help for drug addiction, or to learn more about our addiction treatment programs for young men and women, please call Turnbridge at 877-581-1793 today.