Addiction Rehab Saves Lives
Almost everyone has heard of the death of a prominent entertainer who, despite a lifestyle that was the envy of all, has fallen victim to alcohol, cocaine or heroin. Many have suffered the loss of a friend or relative seduced by the quest for the ultimate “high”. Addiction rehab could possibly have saved them all.
It’s not always easy to understand how domestic, social or economic pressures may drive people to self-destruct but the fact that the carers who man addiction rehab centres can do so plays a huge role in saving their lives. Betty Ford was also addicted and here is her story.
Cocaine Addict: Starting Young
Many addicts, once they become aware of the direction their lives are taking, attempt to kick their habit unaided but only very few succeed. It takes constant support from experienced carers to consistently achieve successful addiction rehab.
Often such facilities are limited in their capacity by funding. Nevertheless, even if they can simply offer preliminary counselling or a safe haven during recovery, their role is invaluable to the overall process of addiction rehab.
Today, attitudes to addiction and, therefore to addiction rehab, have changed drastically. Addiction is seen as a disease process that can respond favourably to the correct therapy given the chance. The approach to therapy too has undergone a re-think and successful addiction rehab efforts today tend to follow a far more holistic approach than previously, resulting in much-improved success rates and more lives saved.
Clearly the kind of addiction rehab that offers a start-to-finish service is preferable to seeking help, here and there, as needs change. This realisation has led to the establishments of many fine addiction rehab centres around the world and, today, South Africa is home to one of the finest and most successful of these.
In addition to the factors mentioned, the peace offered by beautiful and tranquil surroundings provides an important contribution to the overall success of any addiction rehab facility.
Running A Successful Rehab Centre
In the face of the mounting statistics for drug and alcohol abuse, the role of the rehab centre is now more important than ever. That there are people who care enough to tackle the problem is, in itself, a blessing. That some are so successful, against all odds, may seem like a miracle. For the staff of a well-run rehab centre, however, miracles happen daily.
Much of the success can be directly attributed to the staff of the rehab centre. Their determination to continue supporting even the most stubborn cases of addiction has, without doubt, saved thousands of lives.
Nevertheless, the devotion of a team of specialised caregivers made up of doctors, counsellors, nurses, occupational therapists and social workers alone would be less effective without the well-structured treatment regime that typifies a successful rehab centre.
Today’s more progressive type of rehab centre looks beyond a “one-size-fits-all” approach and treats each case on individual merit, applying the course of treatment most appropriate to each patient. Moreover, the modern rehab centre no longer confines its protocol to meet just the obvious medical and psychological needs of an addict but also attends to his or her spiritual requirements.
This more holistic approach by a rehab centre consistently results in a measurably higher recovery rate and is rapidly being accepted as an essential component of treatment by centres worldwide. Alcohol and drug addiction may both lead to secondary health issues so the rehab centre must provide screening and treatment facilities to cope with conditions such as hepatitis B, tuberculosis and HIV AIDS.
The problem of addiction is certainly not confined to the developed and more affluent countries and as addiction has continued to grow in South Africa, so has the need for the rehab centre. One highly successful centre operates in a picturesque and peaceful part of Kwazulu-Natal
Some Facts About Alcohol Rehab
Almost everyone seems to know an alcoholic; perhaps a family member or workmate, but how many of us understand what that person may have had to experience when undergoing treatment an alcohol rehab facility?
Today, alcoholics are no longer treated as simple miscreants and alcoholism is now recognised as a serious and all-too common illness that, in most cases, can only be successfully cured with the help of a professional alcohol rehab centre.
Alcoholism, even more than drug addiction, requires the acceptance and cooperation of the patient if treatment is to succeed. It is preferable for them to enter an alcohol rehab programme voluntarily, having first recognised and admitted their need for help.
The first step in alcohol rehab is primary care where the patient is institutionalised while being carefully weaned off the incessant craving for alcohol with the aid of medication to ease the often violent and dangerous symptoms of withdrawal.
Even in the most successful cases, relapses are common in the early stages but, once this step is completed satisfactorily, patients may leave full-time residential care and the alcohol rehab programme will now offer secondary care for as long as required. This assists adjustment to the new “dry” lifestyle.
Thereafter, for many patients, continued alcohol rehab may require some time in a “half-way house” facility, where the support of other recovering alcoholics can aid re-integration into society and the workplace.
Thereafter an outpatient programme may complete the alcohol rehab programme for day-to-day support in coping with the stresses that may have led the initial drinking problem. It should be always born in mind that alcoholism is never cured only controlled. The aim of alcohol rehab is to get patients on the road to recovery and lead them to assume the responsibility for control personally.
Rehab Centres Vital To Beat Addictions
Whether it is due to alcohol, cocaine, heroin or one of the many other substances covered by that disastrously inappropriate term, recreational drugs, an addiction is a serious medical condition that has led to the need for scores of rehab centres throughout the country.
Addiction is found in all age groups, race groups, religious groups and socio- economic groups. It affects all members of our society and will only be overcome by the unceasing efforts of rehab centres.
The number of addicts has been increasing yearly and one of the most alarming trends is the growing frequency with which it is occurring among pre-teens, those aged between 10 and 12. Treatments today are more effective than ever before and rehab centres now offer real hope to even the most severe addicts.
Much of this improved performance can be attributed to the new concept of treating addiction with a more holistic approach that has been adopted by the country’s leading rehab centres.
So what does this new approach by rehab centres involve? Essentially, it combines the vital process of easing the dependence upon the offending substance through controlled medication whilst simultaneously exploring the possible psychological causes for the addiction and helping the patient rationalize and overcome them.
At the same time the more progressive rehab centres are now addressing the spiritual needs of their patients as a means of strengthening their coping capacity
Initially, rehab centres like to conduct the primary care on a full-time residential basis and gradually reintroduce the patient into society through secondary and tertiary stages that rely more on peer support to cope with residual craving and counselling to overcome any psychosocial obstacles to reintegration.
Therapeutic programmes are not the only important contribution of rehab centres. Peaceful and attractive surroundings, sound diet and expert medical attention for any secondary illness are all equally vital.
Few places can achieve this better than the South Coast Recovery Centre so check our programme now for more details of their life-saving services.
Written by Merril Birnie.
We will do whatever it takes ...
SCRC's approach is aimed at facilitating change from the culture of addiction to the culture of recovery.
This process will yield limited success when approached outside of a residential treatment facility particularly when detoxification is required. It is imperative that individuals entering treatment are given as much training and education as possible.
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