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Drug Treatment Center - |
"Good Treatment Centers Use The 12 Step Program." |
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Before considering a Drug Treatment Center there are a few things to consider. The first has to do with detoxification. If the person needs to detox for medical and/or psychological reasons, consider medical treatment with an M.D. If the person is not ready for treatment and is not in a life-threatening situation, think about treatment cost and effectiveness. You have to consider enabling - the process whereby you accept the consequences of the person's maladaptive behavior, thus depriving them of the opportunity to get sober and clean. Pain and loss gets a person to treatment. Logical consequences mean that no one can safely abuse a drug or alcohol without pain and/or loss of some kind. Just as a child will stay away from danger after being exposed to it or you, as an adult, will get to work on time after losing money or reputation or promotion possibilities, the person who is abusing substances will not be able to continue use when all the enablers leave and the consequences become apparent and effective. When painful enough, the CD person will stop one way or another. My suggestion is that you learn to detach with love (see co-dependency) The sooner the better. If you wait, the CD person can rationalize the problems as, "your problem", minimize them as, "not that serious," or find a way to justify them. The longer this goes on, the more "fixed" it becomes and the more difficult it is to alter. While early intervention is the key to breaking denial, there are ways to do it and not feel guilty, knowing that you are doing the right thing. The best way is by getting guidance from a trained professional in addictions who is licensed. Alanon is another source of help for the family and concerned others. AA, NA, CA and other twelve-step programs are necessary, in my opinion, in order to become honest and regain entry into society and work toward stability. If you are insured, call the number on your insurance card and explain the problem to them. You may have coverage for detoxification for the person if needed and a stay at a treatment center or they can follow up with a twelve-step program. Remember that you cannot do this for them but you can guide them if you are able to find someone to guide you. Inpatient: Use when the person is in need of detoxification and/or other medical treatment. Use also if outpatient treatment does not work. Outpatient: Make sure that the person has a medical checkup with a M.D. Sign a contract to be in a program with groups and individual and family treatment. Mutual goal setting is ideal but defer to the advice of the treatment professional. Reevaluate after six weeks and every two months for compliance and drug use. Urinalysis is essential. Residential: If the addict is homeless or very dysfunctional, this may be a good placement. Make sure the addict is willing to improve and will work for this. Have a way to measure the improvement. Halfway house: This involves living with other addicts and working in the community. The definition differs as there are many ways to understand the concept of a halfway house.
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