Society often understands the word ‘rehabilitation’ as something that is bad.
It’s similar to the phrase used to describe guns. “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.”
Rehabilitation is designed to HELP, yet many forget this as people are transfixed on what a stay in rehabilitation might do to their status or reputations.
In this article, we will define the role of rehabilitation in addiction treatment.
The Rehabilitation Process
The rehabilitation process is one that has a set of key principles in which most treatment facilities follow, however because every individuals addiction will differ, each one has to be modified and customised to suit the needs of the patient.
Each rehabilitation process will include:
-
A Supervised Medical Detoxification: This is done to help ease or remove the effects of any withdrawal symptoms that may be suffered due to the end of the patients drug use.
-
Analysis: Because many addictions come with other mental illnesses and physical disorders, it’s important that rehabilitation centres do not only treat the addicted individual’s addiction, but also this.
-
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy: This is done to help the individual recognize what situations are most likely to trigger a relapse, and what can be done to avoid this.
-
Family Therapy: Addiction does not only affect the individual using the narcotic substance, but also their loved ones and people around them. The aim of family therapy is to help build and heal those relationships that might have been damaged or broken.
-
Medication: There are various types of medication allocated for each type of addiction and this will be used during treatment. Medication is most effective when it is done in conjunction with counselling and therapy and should be carefully monitored to avoid patients from becoming cross-addicted.
-
12-Step Treatment Programs: Probably the most effective form of therapy around today, 12 step treatment programmes are synonymous with Alcoholics Anonymous however it is now used in the treatment of various other addictions. It involves the recognition that a higher power can have a protective and nurturing effect which helps you in recovery. However, it is not necessary for the higher power to be a religious one.
What is Addiction and how does it Work?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines addiction as a brain disease that can be treated.
Research has shown that treatment does in fact work and that it helps in ensuring that the addicted individual remains sober and are able to live normal lives again.
Not many people know that addiction cannot be cured and that the recovery process is a lifelong procedure.
The aim of many rehabilitation programmes is to help teach individuals to abstain from drugs or alcohol and that relapsing should not be seen as failure. Mistakes do happen; the important thing is that recovering addicts are taught not to give up and to remain focus on the goal of living a normal, happy and drug-free life.
It has also been proven that the longer the treatment, the higher the chances of a successful recovery. This includes a stay of at least 4 weeks in a rehabilitation centre, which is followed by various forms of counselling and therapy such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Who Profits from Inpatient Treatment?
It is no secret that a residential stay in a rehabilitation centre is pricey.
The best rehabs in South Africa probably charges per bed around R1000 per day.
Not many people have access to that kind of money and it is tough as everyone wants to send themselves or a loved one into the best possible treatment available. However if you have medical aid, they will cover the bulk of the costs.
Should costs be a factor bigger than the wellbeing of a loved one?
Inpatient treatment is by far the best form of treatment available due to the fact that the patient is under constant medical supervision and is surrounded by people in similar situations as themselves.
Depending on the type and nature of the addiction suffered, people suffering from more severe addiction needs inpatient treatment. It’s almost non-negotiable.