The Importance Of Drug Rehab

With, seemingly, a new celebrity in rehab every couple of weeks, drug abuse has recently been discussed with humorous connotations. The reality, however, is that drug abuse and addiction are causing severe problems for millions of families in today's society. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimates that in 2006 there were over 23.5 million Americans (ages 12 and up) needing substance abuse treatment, yet only four million were treated. Of those four million, only 2.5 million went through specialty centers, such as a drug rehab facility, hospital or mental health center. The remaining amount received treatment through less successful means, like jail, and self-help groups.

The direct effects of harmful and addictive drugs are obvious. But there are many other indirect health issues associated with drug abuse that can increase the risk of medical problems like cancer, stroke, cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and lung disease. Common diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other STDs are often associated with severe drug use.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that in 2002 illegal drugs cost society around $181 billion. After tobacco and alcohol costs are thrown into the mix the total balloons up to $500 billion, annually. These figures consist of the money spent on drugs as well as the health care, criminal justice, and lost productivity expenses. Successful rehabilitation dramatically reduces this annual cost; drug related crimes are reduced by $4-$7 for every dollar spent on rehab. For some, the savings are closer to $12:$1.

Breaking the cycle of addiction is the main purpose of drug rehabilitation; however, it is not the only purpose. An individual's drug habit may have contributed to other factors that need to be addressed. Legal and financial obligations, along with social and psychological elements stemming from a person's destructive habits will also need to be dealt with.

There are several methods of rehabilitation, including the cheap but prone to relapse, 'cold turkey' choice. The odds of success can be greatly improved by enrolling in a professional rehabilitation program that has experienced counselors, proven and researched recovery methods, and a supportive community. There are 11,000 specialized drug treatment centers in the US alone.

Most commonly, the first step in the rehabilitation process is that of detoxification. One method used by treatment facilities is that of anti-addictive drugs that gradually take the place of the drug, resulting in less reliance on the actual drug. The anti-addictive drugs can lessen the cravings experienced by the patient or induce uncomfortable reactions if the patient does try to take the drug. Other facilities place the patient in an environment that is not conducive to acquiring the drug and reinforces a positive psychological and emotional support system during the detoxification process.

Once the drug has been released from their body, patients will then receive behavior treatment that will examine the underlying psychological, emotional, and social impetuses that drove them to use the drugs in the first place. Specialized treatment facilities will help the patient overcome their addiction and learn the social skills that will allow them to function in society without craving drugs. Some effective lessons are learned through activities such as social and community building, occupational therapy, individual and group counseling, exercise and wilderness excursions, and even exercise.

The latter stages of a drug treatment facility's program focuses on addressing other elements associated with drug addiction such as any outstanding legal and financial ramifications. Many specialized facilities cater to individuals with such needs by helping schedule community service meetings, and offering young addicts opportunities to further their education. Successful treatment centers focus on providing customized programs for their patients.

Going back to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there are 2.8 million people who experimented with illegal drugs in the past 12 months prior to when the survey was conducted. To break that figure down, that is 8,000 new users a day; more than half of these new users were under the age of 18. It is important that we understand the necessity of these drug rehab programs and find methods that will ensure the successful completion of these programs by the millions of untreated addicts in this country.