FAQs

An intervention is an action that interferes with a behaviour with the single purpose of changing that behaviour. With regards to addiction, an intervention is the confrontation of one person by others to address his or her addiction with the goal of moving the addict into treatment. Years ago, interventions were aggressive and confrontational. That approach has proven to be detrimental to the desired goal. Today, there are several types of interventions, including professional and nonprofessional interventions. Depending on the circumstances, the people involved and the temperament of the addict, the style of the intervention needed can differ.

Based upon several decades of scientific research, comprehensive drug rehab programs should at minimum include the following: · Medication management (detox) · Individualized treatment plans (rehab) · Individual and group therapy (rehab) · Regular evaluations · Addiction workshops · Relapse prevention · Mental health disorder workshops (if needed) · Aftercare plans · Life skills trainin

There is a serious misconception among both addicts and family members that detox is alcohol or drug treatment. It is not. The purpose of detox is to rid the body of the drug or alcohol’s toxins. It is a complex process that can be life threatening depending on a person’s age, amount of substance used, how long use has occurred, physical health, and emotional and psychological health. Detox does not address the underlying reasons for substance abuse or the mental health problems that may accompany substance abuse. Addiction treatment is the next phase in the recovery process, but it can only occur after one’s body has been cleansed of drugs and alcohol in detox. Successful long-term recovery can only be achieved through addiction treatment, it cannot be achieved by undergoing detox alone.

When someone enters a quality drug or alcohol rehab program, he or she should receive a variety of different therapeutic modalities in addiction treatment to help him or her learn about self-destructive behaviours and coping skills.
In individual therapy, the patient works one-on-one with a therapist trained in addiction and mental health issues.
Group therapy is also a vital aspect of treatment. It involves a carefully comprised group of addicts who meet together with a trained therapist to work through personal issues. The group dynamic can be empowering as one learns that his or her issues are not unique while simultaneously receiving support and challenges from peers.

For a variety of reasons, a person may not have the capacity to go through a short-term treatment program and remain abstinent from drug or alcohol use in his or her daily life. There can be emotional problems, environmental problems, physical problems or a combination of problems that make recovery harder to maintain. In these cases, after several tries at treatment, a patient may need to go to a long-term treatment program to achieve the best results. These programs can be 3 to 24 months in duration.

It takes a good deal of work, commitment and serious desire to go through treatment. Sometimes, an addict is challenged to look inward and take responsibility for what he or she has done with his or her life. The addict must be willing to do this self-reflective work in order to build the foundation for recovery.
An unwillingness to self-reflect may lead a person to leave treatment early. Also, if a patient suffers from an un-diagnosed mental health disorder, the emotional turmoil can lead the person to leave treatment.
Finally, if a person decides to seek outpatient treatment instead of inpatient treatment, or the patient goes to an inpatient treatment program near home, family and friends can disrupt the patient’s focus.
These different issues can cause a patient to leave treatment before the program has been completed.

Outpatient treatment is best used as an aftercare approach to recovery once an inpatient or residential treatment program has been completed.
Residential treatment or inpatient drug or alcohol rehab centres away from one’s home allow the addict time to focus solely upon himself or herself.
In quality residential treatment, the therapists, physicians and other healthcare professionals can observe the client’s behaviours and emotional status, providing an accurate and current evaluation of the client’s progress with the ability to respond to emergencies as they arise.

There is always hope for anyone suffering from alcohol and drug addiction. Treatment will work if you are willing to face your addiction with complete honesty, personal responsibility, and willingness to make the changes necessary to grow.
Scientific studies have demonstrated time and again that treatment works if the client uses the tools provided in treatment and aftercare to achieve lasting sobriety.

Drug and alcohol addiction treatment is very important to the long-term recovery of an addict. In general, the longer one can stay in residential treatment, the better the outcome.
Generally, residential treatment can range from a few days to 28 days.
Long term residential treatment is exclusively for those with several disorders and a history of unsuccessful treatment attempts that require extended treatment for a minimum of 3 months to a year.