In the not too distant past there was a stigma attached to people suffering from alcohol and/or drug addiction. Society cast them aside and labeled them as weak, without will power, lazy or just not wanting to face life on life’s terms. Though these characteristics sometimes closely resemble the characteristics of an alcoholic or a drug addict, their dilemma actually involves a series of brain chemistry disorders that was eventually recognized by the medical profession and most governments as a serious progressive illness.
A disease that is treatable, men and women suffering from addiction, with the help of alcohol and drug rehabs, now recover every single day from this seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.
The internet is a great place to research options for addiction treatment. If you’re looking for a drug rehab or an alcohol rehab in Los Angeles, make sure you carefully weigh each available option, and choose the drug rehab Los Angeles center that you’re going to be most comfortable with.
Alcohol and Drug Detox Centers
Some drug and alcohol detox centers provide strictly non-medical detox services. They don’t allow any detox medications to help minimize the withdrawal symptoms that people often experience during the detox process. This type of drug and alcohol detox is sometimes called “cold turkey withdrawal”.
Medically-managed alcohol and drug detox centers have their clients examined by an addiction medicine specialist that may or may not prescribe detox medications from a wide range of medications that are available to minimize the severe withdrawal symptoms that alcohol or drug detox sometimes produces.
Residential Alcohol Rehabs and Drug Rehabs
Residential alcohol and drug rehabs are programs where the clients live-in the facility for the duration of their primary treatment. There are both short-term (30-days or less) and long-term (more than 30-days) residential rehabs available. Some residential rehabs are gender specific and some co-ed, while others have both separate male and separate female treatment programs.
Residential rehabs can vary greatly in the services they offer. Some are very 12-step oriented, some offer a holistic approach, others offer services such as treatment for co-occurring disorder, but most residential alcohol and drug rehabs offer some combination of individual counseling sessions, group counseling sessions, relapse prevention, substance abuse education, lectures, family counseling and aftercare.
Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers
Outpatient alcohol and drug treatment centers usually offer the same rehab services that residential treatment centers offer, but the client goes home at night. Outpatient programs are sometimes called “day treatment centers”.
Sober Living Homes
Unlike detox centers, residential rehabs and outpatient treatment programs, sober living homes do not provide any treatment services in the home. Residents are usually required to work or attend school, pay an affordable rent and participate in an outpatient treatment center’s program or one of the many community support groups that are available.
Make An Informed Choice
Regardless of the types of alcohol rehabs or drug treatment centers that you contact for information, it is a good idea to ask them as many questions as you can think of regarding the treatment services that they provide. It is also wise to not only call, but possibly visit as many drug and alcohol treatment centers as you can.
Choosing one of the many types of alcohol and drug rehabs for yourself or a loved-one can be a life or death decision, so do the research and the footwork when finding ethical and reputable alcohol or drug treatment centers and don’t just settle for the first one that sounds good over the telephone. It may be the most important decision of your life!