Addiction Rehab - How to Choose

Addiction recovery has come a long way in the last 50 years. The old belief system punished addicted individuals and treated them like they were misbehaving children. They would inflict punishment and instill the military boot camp mentality in hopes of treating the addiction.

Not much time or energy was focused on addressing the underlying cause of addiction. Luckily times-are-a-changing.

The stark, cold boot camps that only looked at the addiction and not the deep rooted causes are being replaced by plush new treatment centers. The new addiction rehab centers are beginning to see the benefits of treating the whole body.

They are focusing not only on treating the substance problem but are looking at the whole picture of mending the mind too. Drug and alcohol addiction are not just about the physical cravings.

It's not a matter of willpower.

You have to be able to control your thinking and mind before you can control your cravings.

The new rehab centers come in a variety of in-patient settings. Usually they are in gorgeous surroundings with plenty of space to meditate and recover. There are various classes that teach coping skills, yoga, meditation, positive affirmations and other therapies that heal the whole body.

These new treatment centers also offer many different different forms of therapy. If you are looking for a rehab facility make sure to pick one that offers not only group therapy but individual and family counseling. This is the best way to narrow down the exact cause of your addiction and then treat it. It's also essential that your addiction rehab center has medical personnel on hand to do a thorough exam, health history overview and any necessary blood tests to look for underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to your addiction.

A lot of people use drugs and alcohol because they have an undiagnosed chemical imbalance that needs regulating. They use drugs and other substances to self-medicate. The medical staff can also help with the detox process. Some drugs are safer to quit while under the care of a doctor.

There are controlled substances such as methadone and suboxone that can help addicted individuals deal with the withdrawal symptoms and increase chances of recovery.

If you don't have the money, time or resources to go stay at a rehab center there are alternatives. The most famous and well known treatment group is by far Alcoholics Anonymous. It's a 12 step program that incorporates meetings and mentorship to cope with your addiction. These can help some people but you have to be extremely motivated. The same can be said about online addiction recovery. There are forums, chat rooms and membership programs online that can help someone overcome addiction. These are becoming the treatment of choice for many who find they can't afford expensive rehab and want more privacy in dealing with their addiction.

As with any treatment program, the commitment must be there so that you will follow through completely and not go back to drug use. It's important to find the inner desire and motivation for a better life in order to be successful in your recovery. Whichever method you choose, an in-stay, out-patient or online recovery program, do your research and find something that will treat your whole body and mind.

Find a program that will get to the bottom of your addiction and help uncover the reasons why you are using. You will have a better chance of maintaining sobriety if you understand why you are using drugs. Addiction rehab has undergone so many changes in the last few decades. We have so many more choices today and the stigma is slowly beginning to fade. If you or a loved one have a problem with drug addiction, know your options when it comes to treatment programs and seek out ways to live a clean and sober life.