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Heroin Addiction: 10 Essential Things to Consider When Seeking Help Through Addiction Treatment

Your life has become unmanageable, and you now realize that your best thinking gets you loaded, or even worse, sick and behind bars. Acceptance is the first step in treating an addiction. As the saying goes, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The road to recovery may seem long and arduous, but it is necessary if you want to live a long and happy life. Recovery is a process, and you want to make sure that you evaluate a rehabilitation or treatment program carefully before you get into something that does not ideally suit your specific needs. The following is a list of things to consider when choosing a treatment program.

1.) WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

The first thing you really need to do is be honest with yourself. What is your problem? Are you addicted to alcohol, drugs, or a combination? For example, alcoholics who also use cocaine may require a treatment program that will deal with cross addiction. To get the help you need, you need to be completely honest with yourself. Not to worry, as it is often difficult to self diagnose, good rehabilitation centers will perform an assessment to assist you. In the end, you need to find a facility that will address all of your problems. If not, your efforts could be to no avail. Drug addiction is cunning, baffling and powerful. Therefore, you will need the best care possible to have a chance at recovering from an addiction.

2.) WHAT KIND OF PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Generally speaking, if you are at the point where you are no longer able to manage your life, it is time to seek the assistance of a qualified treatment program. Speak with your doctor; he or she can refer you to a psychiatrist or counselor that will know more about what kind of program would best suit your needs. Usually an inpatient program is preferred over outpatient. Even after you have completed your treatment, you will most likely need to attend support groups, because the most important thing to remember is that you cannot recover from an addiction alone.

3.) WHAT CAN YOU AFFORD?

It would be nice if finances did not have to figure into something as important as recovering from a problem like drug or alcohol addiction, but the reality of the situation is that cost is a factor for many people. If you are fortunate enough to have medical insurance that covers rehabilitation and treatment programs, speak with an insurance representative about your options. Perhaps they have a list of approved places where you can go for treatment. If you do not have insurance, then you need to look into ways to finance the treatment you need. Make sure that you find a place that has a combination of quality care and affordability if price is a concern.

4.) WILL YOU REQUIRE MEDICAL CARE?

Addiction is a multi-faceted issue and concerns sometimes arise depending upon the severity of the addiction, as well as what the individual in question is addicted to. Recovery from an addiction sometimes requires medication to help the process along. Methadone is often given to heroin addicts to wean them off of drugs. Campral is one of several choices offered to alcoholics in order to help limit cravings for alcohol, especially in cases of severe alcoholism. Addicts may also have other health-related issues that may require a doctor’s attention. In short, make sure that the rehabilitation program you select has the proper medical care you may require.

5.) WHO WILL BE TAKING CARE OF YOU?

Recovery is serious business and requires serious people to help you through this transitional point in your life. However, you have decided that you need help; you are spending your hard-earned money and taking the needed time to straighten your life out. It is of paramount importance that you feel comfortable where you will be receiving your treatment. Visit the facilities you are considering to see the staff in action. Your comfort during this time is essential and the importance of feeling good about the environment where you will begin your recovery cannot be stressed enough.

6.) WHAT WILL YOUR TREATMENT ENTAIL?

Before you go to any treatment center, you need to know how they are going to help you. More than likely, you will be assessed, and then given an outline that lays out what you will require in regard to your treatment. You must know how the treatment center plans on helping you before you start your treatment.

7.) WHAT WILL A TYPICAL DAY CONSIST OF?

Just as important as knowing what kind of treatment you will be receiving is knowing how you will be receiving it. Ask questions about your daily schedule and routine. Make sure that what they have planned for you will be easy to adjust to and beneficial for your overall well-being. However, keep in mind that these professionals are there to help you and that there are usually good reasons for why the schedule is arranged the way it is.

8.) WHO ELSE WILL BE THERE?

In order for your recovery to go smoothly, it is good to know who else will be in the program with you. An ideal rehabilitation program segregates the sexes completely. This way, there are fewer distractions in general. Human beings are sexual creatures, and being treated with members of the opposite sex could potentially inhibit the recovery process.

9.) HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

As a patient, you must know from the outset how long the treatment will take. You must have a clear idea of when the program begins and ends, and have goals in mind as you work through your recovery. Having a timeline for your stay will help keep things in perspective, and is also a great way to keep track of your progress.

10.) WILL MY LOVED ONES BE INVOLVED?

Every addict’s family and friends are already involved in the process just by knowing and caring for the addict. Some treatment centers believe in keeping the family out of the loop in the addict’s recovery. Others believe family involvement is essential in the recovery process. Depending on how you feel about this, you may or may not wish for your family to be involved. You must keep in mind, however, that your family and friends have been deeply affected by your addiction, and that they are sometimes suffering just as much or more than you. Eventually, this will have to be resolved. With the help of professionals, this resolution may come along with greater ease.

Rehabilitation and recovery for an addict is an ongoing, lifelong, process. The importance of getting off on the right foot cannot be understated. Research your options, and consider these ten items when looking for a place to begin your journey.

Get more addiction treatment information at Action Recovery the Palm Springs Drug Rehab.

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