Treating addiction has developed from the institutionalisation of sufferers in mental hospitals and condemning their character as flawed and weak to viewing addiction as an all encompassing disease. Whether it may be an eating disorder, drug addiction, alcoholism, sex addiction or others, the disease is one and the same.
It is generally accepted that addiction is progressive and incurable, leading to death if left untreated. Addiction treatment has become an immensely psychological process within a caring, nurturing environment, encouraging the use of recovery tools and daily maintenance for prolonged abstinence. Today, addicts can be helped and restored to functioning, self supporting individuals, lending positive influences to society.
When enough is enough
When a person uses drugs regularly, they are not necessarily an addict. A person either has the disease or they do not. This is why some individuals can use drugs regularly, control their consumption and have lives that are relatively consequence free. People who have the disease of addiction are trapped in a cycle of obsession and compulsion regarding mind and mood altering substances and the compulsion to consume them.
When a person using drugs cannot stop, even when the consequences facing them are catastrophic such as jail time, a criminal record or losing their families, help is needed. Addicts still use when in these situations, even though the only thing that they desire is to stop. This is powerlessness and once a person can admit that they are powerless over their addiction and that their lives are falling apart because of it, they can begin a process of recovering.
Addiction treatment centres
Many addicts seeking addiction treatment require in-patient treatment at a rehabilitation centre. In-patient treatment requires a client to stay on the premises, to eat, sleep and recover under the care of professional therapists and counsellors. Treatment centres generally have different stages to their treatment process: Primary, Extended Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institutions are available for clients to attend.
A client may attend only Primary care, or Primary and Secondary care, or Primary, Secondary and Tertiary care for example. Each stage allows the client a little more freedom and responsibility coupled with a slow, supported re-introduction into society. These different types of institutions may or may not be affiliated with one another, but if not affiliated will refer to one another according to what is deemed best for their client.
Experience with addiction treatment has led professionals to recommend a lengthy stay in rehabilitation centres. It has been observed that four weeks in a counselling centre is insufficient to the needs of treating an addiction problem. The stages within the treatment cycle allow clients to benefit at a far greater level through three months to a year of treatment.
The benefits of counselling and therapy
Therapy on a group and individual level has also been proven to increase the therapeutic value of the rehabilitation procedure dramatically, enabling clients to stay abstinent from addictive behaviours and compulsions. Group therapy involves a counsellor as a facilitator and the various clients of the counselling centre. In groups, clients are encouraged to engage with one another, speaking about current feelings, problems, situations and dynamics, as well as past grievances and issues.
Clients relating, confronting and encouraging others is incredibly beneficial as it enables them to process the difficulties they are dealing with in their lives. Clients become aware of negative behavioural traits and are able to break down demons such as low self esteem, fears and emotional triggers. This is done within a supportive environment whilst a professional is able to facilitate and help patients to progress to a more sound state of being.
Individual therapy is incredibly beneficial as it involves the client and a counsellor who remains their one to one counsellor for the duration of their stay dealing with issues and problems head on. Each patient is different and requires different elements to their therapy and their individual counsellor is responsible for making sure that those needs are met. The clients’ best interests are always the counsellor’s main prerogative.
Other therapeutic aspects of in-patient treatment
Other treatments found to be very beneficial are art and drama therapy, therapeutic duties and outdoor activities, a healthy lifestyle and a spiritual programme incorporating tools to help the client remain abstinent after they leave the treatment process. The Minnesota Model of counselling uses the Twelve Steps as a part of a programme of recovery. This programme is a matter of daily maintenance and focuses on abstinence plus change as well as support and daily efforts to make an addict’s life the best it can be.
The Twelve Steps used in conjunction with professional counselling and therapy, prolonged in patient treatment and a healthy, positive lifestyle have proven to be a strong force in helping a person with addiction problems to achieve a life that is positive and abstinent from addictive behaviours. Addiction treatment can be very successful when dealing with the disease of addiction and has turned many lives around from being at rock bottom level to contentment and happiness for all, including the family of the afflicted.