If you or a loved one is looking to get help for a drug or alcohol problem, finding a local treatment center, such as a Carmel rehab can provide your loved one with a number of positive benefits that can be conducive with long-term sobriety.
Before we learn about specific treatment options that patients will be exposed to during their recovery, let’s take a closer look at drug and alcohol addiction in general.
Addiction: Causes, Symptoms, & Effects
Addiction is a chronic disease that is characterized by compulsive and uncontrollable drug-seeking behavior and use of these substances despite the harmful effects and consequences associated with them, many of which can be long-term problems.
The reason people begin using substances in the first place is a complex issue that can be hard to track. The use of drugs and alcohol can begin due to mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or some other issue. Along with these potential causes, it is also important to look into the role that upbringing and genetics can play in a person’s propensity to use substances.
For instance, childhood traumas and problems are known to correlate with a higher likelihood for addiction. These problems, referred to as adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are known to have a “tremendous impact” on lifelong health and opportunity. Adverse childhood experiences have all been linked to risky health behavior, chronic health conditions, low life potential, and an early death.
All of these problems can impact and increase a person’s chance of using substances and becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol. Everyone understands that addiction is a serious issue. However, many don’t fully understand the effects and problems associated with addiction.
One of the most obvious problems associated with drug and alcohol abuse is overdose. While you may know what an overdose is, it is important that you are able to recognize the signs of overdose as it may be the difference between life and death.
Some of the common symptoms of an opioid overdose include:
- Small, constricted pupils
- Falling asleep or losing consciousness
- Slow, shallow breathing
- Choking sounds
- Limp body
- Pale, blue or cold skin
If you believe that someone is overdosing, you also need to know what to do. Here are the steps that you should take if you are worried that someone is overdosing:
- Call 911 as soon as possible
- Administer naloxone if it is available
- Try to keep the person awake and breathing
- Lay the person on their side so that they avoid choking
- Stay until emergency responders arrive
There are a number of long-term effects associated with substance abuse that can make your situation worse. Excessive drug and alcohol use will lead to neurological changes that may impact and influence a person’s ability to stop using. These changes will occur in the areas of the brain that are associated with decision-making, the reward circuit, and stress response all of which can change the way that a brain and body feel when on drugs and when not on these substances.
Overall, drug and alcohol addiction are serious problems and if they are not handled in a quick and professional manner, it can lead to serious problems such as death.
Approaches To Drug and Alcohol Treatment
When looking at drug and alcohol addiction, it is important that people understand the many different approaches that a patient can be exposed to during their treatment process.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are a number of specific principles for effective drug and alcohol treatment. Some of these principles include:
- Addiction is a complex disease that can affect brain function and behavior
- No single treatment works for everyone
- People need to have quick access to treatment
Some of the common approaches to treatment include behavioral counseling, medication-assisted treatment, detoxification, long-term follow ups and treatment options to help prevent relapse.
If you are looking into treatment options and help for a loved one’s drug or alcohol problem, it is important to understand how the treatment centers that you are looking into can help and provide you with the care and services you need.
Why Go To A Local Rehab Center?
While there are national and local options for drug and alcohol treatment and both have their pros and cons, local rehab does have some commonly overlooked benefits that should be considered when you are searching for help.
Local rehabs and rehabs near me can not only provide you with near-immediate assistance and help, but can also be more affordable as you no longer have to travel across the nation to get the help that you need.
Along with this, one thing that many people don’t consider is how important family and loved ones are in a patient’s recovery process. Some specific therapy treatments that are used in recovery include the family. Things like family therapy are incredibly important and can be majorly effective in helping patients understand how their addiction has affected their loved ones. Oftentimes, patients think that their habits have only had effects on them or they may not fully understand how much of an impact their substance abuse has had on their loved ones.
This is where family therapy comes into play.
During family therapy, patients and loved ones will be put through a guided process which is designed to assist and support families as they work to identify and share the impact that substance use has had on each person. The overall goals of these are to improve communication and help to restore any lost connections and improve family functionality.
Overall, there are numerous positives to patients going to a rehab that is close to home, but it is still important to find the right one.
Landmark Recovery’s Carmel Rehab
If you or a loved one is looking for treatment for a drug or alcohol problem, Landmark Recovery is one rehabilitation facility that can help. At Landmark, our staff is dedicated to providing our patients with the highest form of care while offering evidence-based treatment programs to help patients achieve long-term sobriety.
If you would like to learn more about how Landmark’s Carmel rehab can help you, please reach out to our admissions team today for a free consultation.
Choose Recovery Over Addiction
We're here 24/7 to help you get the care you need to live life on your terms, without drugs or alcohol. Talk to our recovery specialists today and learn about our integrated treatment programs.
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