She was registered in rehab after suffering a stroke. Let's be honest for a minute. No one really wants to go to rehab, at least not at first. For many addicts and families, “rehabilitation” is a frightening idea.
The word itself carries an overwhelming stigma, and the idea of actually going to rehab can be just as (if not more) overwhelming. For those struggling with substance abuse, going to rehab means leaving the comforts of home and giving up the comforts of drugs and alcohol to be sober. Above all, it means a change: changing habits, behaviors, maybe even your hobbies and groups of friends. But as we all know, change can be good.
The idea of going to drug rehab can be a difficult pill to swallow, both for addicts and their loved ones. Many feel that their addiction isn't “bad enough” to go to rehab, so they expect it to happen. Many fear the stigma around the word “rehabilitation” and worry about what others might think. Many wonder if there are certain criteria, or levels of addiction, that qualify a person for rehabilitation.
What inspires them, or pushes them, to leave? There are many reasons why a person should go to rehab, but everyone has their own unique path to get there. Below are some of the most common reasons people go to addiction rehab today. The fact is that many people start using drugs or drinking recreationally, or just to “feel good.” They make the decision to use. However, over time, use becomes less of a choice and more of a necessity. They start to need drugs or alcohol just to feel “good.” This is because of the way drugs affect the brain.
Drugs and alcohol are chemicals that alter the functioning of the brain, physically restricting a person's ability to control impulses, make decisions, and think about consequences. The longer a person uses drugs, the more his brain changes in this way. The brain starts to rely on drugs to work. It tells the person they need alcohol to get through the day. Even when a person wants to stop, cravings are incredibly strong.
Withdrawal symptoms can also be strong, which is why many people go to rehab to successfully stop smoking. It is estimated that 60 percent of adolescents on drug treatment today meet the diagnostic criteria for another concurrent mental illness. Between 50 and 75 percent of adults struggling with substance use disorder also have a mental health disorder. According to national sources, people with an established mental illness (such as mood, anxiety or antisocial disorder) are also twice as likely to become addicted to drugs. That said, when a person is struggling with a problem such as depression or anxiety, and starts to dabble with drugs, it is important to seek help. If a person is addicted to drugs and begins to develop depressive, anxious or other mental health symptoms, it is important to find professional rehabilitation that has experience in co-occurring disorders.
Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders are very dangerous and can have a big impact on patients. It is important that they are treated together and that symptoms are treated together so that the person can have the best chance of a successful recovery. Substance addiction not only affects the person who drinks or uses drugs; it also harms everyone who cares. This is because people struggling with addiction often lie, deceive or manipulate their closest ones.
If you are a loved one of an addict, you already know it firsthand. Many people go to rehab because they realize the damage their problem has done to their loved ones. Many parents, for example, develop significant stress and financial problems when their child is addicted to drugs in addition to emotional pain. Often relationships end because of addiction and lack of communication and trust.
Going to rehab can show that a person is committed to change and help rebuild bridges that were once burned with loved ones. At Turnbridge we specifically help customers reconnect with loved ones and help restore trust in family members; this is an important part of the recovery process. Some people go to rehab because they have problems with the law (for example driving while drugged), and professional treatment for addiction is offered as an alternative to jail time. Some go to rehab because they have problems with school officials (i.e., expelled from college), and their parents provide rehabilitation as the only alternative.
Some are fired from work because of their drinking or drug problem; this is when they realize they're in trouble. No matter the case, the important step here is that these people are entering a rehabilitation program; their substance use has had a negative impact on their lives in some way and they have been pushed into making a change. Addiction is a chronic and relapsing brain disease; if your loved one expresses a desire to quit smoking or has tried it several times but is unable to do so it is a sign that you should look for a drug rehabilitation center. A lot of people will wait until they hit rock bottom before committing themselves into a rehabilitation program; hitting rock bottom often means something catastrophic happens such as an overdose or losing a home however it is not necessary for someone wait so long before initiating or promoting drug treatment.
The longer someone uses drugs the stronger their addiction will be and the more difficult it will be for them treat it; there is no “right” time for someone go into rehab but no matter how “small” someone's drug or drinking problem may seem there is always benefit from attending drug rehabilitation program; early intervention may increase someone's chance of successful recovery.
