If you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, going to rehabilitation gives you the best opportunity to get clean and sober. But what is rehabilitation? And how can it help you stop using substances for good? Keep reading to find out.
The Stages of Rehabilitation: From Assessment to Aftercare
So what is rehabilitation? At Samarpan, it consists of four distinct stages that you will go through to achieve long-term sobriety.
Assessment
Before coming to Samarpan, you will be given an assessment to ascertain exactly what your needs are. We will ask you about your history of drug and alcohol abuse so we will know how best to proceed with your treatment.
Detox
After you’ve been assessed and admitted to rehab, the next stage is detox. Here, you’ll be weaned off the drugs and alcohol you had been taking. This can be a difficult process, as detox causes withdrawal symptoms which can range from nausea to seizures.
At Samarpan, we offer detox medication to all our clients who require it. This medication is administered by trained nurses who will monitor your vital signs and take care of you during withdrawal. This makes withdrawal at our drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre completely safe. Detox medicine also helps you to feel comfortable and reduces any withdrawal symptoms you may be feeling.
Treatment
When considering “what is rehabilitation”, many people think about this stage. After you’ve been detoxed by our team, it is time to look at the reasons why you were using substances and get the education you need to stay sober in the future.
At Samarpan, we use a holistic approach to treatment, as we believe this is the most effective way of treating addiction. This includes:
Aftercare
Whether you go to drug rehabilitation or alcohol rehabilitation, aftercare is crucial. Continuing to get professional help after you leave your rehab centre massively increases long-term treatment outcomes, and allows you to thrive when you are new to recovery.
After leaving Samarpan Recovery, you can continue receiving treatment on an outpatient basis either at our Pune centre or at our facility in Churchgate, Mumbai.
The Role of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Drug Rehabilitation and Alcohol Rehabilitation
Medication-assisted treatment is a crucial part of addiction treatment, both in drug rehabilitation and alcohol rehabilitation facilities.
At Samarpan, we use a range of different medications for your comfort and safety.
Buprenorphine
This opioid-based long-acting medication allows us to stabilize patients when they first arrive at our centre, preventing them from going into withdrawal. Due to buprenorphine’s long duration, it is then possible to slowly reduce the dosage until patients are drug-free.
Lorazepam. People with alcohol use disorder can face a difficult and dangerous withdrawal, which is why we use this medication. Lorazepam reduces heart rate, decreases anxiety and stops alcohol withdrawal from causing seizures.
Chlordiazepoxide and Lorazepam
Used to relieve anxiety and control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal. These medications can be dangerous when misused, and must be administered by medical professionals.
The Importance of Family Support in Addiction Rehabilitation
When asking “what is rehabilitation”, we must consider the role of family support within the rehabilitation process.
During addiction, the family unit is strained. Someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol may betray the trust of the family, lie, cheat or even steal. And it is common for the addicted person to have some resentments towards family members.
Recovery is an opportunity for families to connect, talk about what happened and move on. Once this connection is reestablished it is possible for family members to support the person in recovery, and for this person to play an active part in family life again.
Choosing the Right Rehabilitation Centre
Now we’ve looked at “what is rehabilitation?” it’s time to figure out how to choose the right rehabilitation centre for you.
Level of Care
The first thing to consider is the level of care you require. There are two main options here: inpatient or outpatient. If you go with inpatient, you will stay at the drug rehabilitation or alcohol rehabilitation centre for the length of your treatment.
Outpatient care means attending a rehab centre during the day and going home at night. This kind of treatment is usually recommended for people who do not have severe addictions.
Staff Qualifications
You should only choose a centre with mental health professionals with, at the very minimum, a degree in psychotherapy or similar. At Samarpan, our international team has qualifications from prestigious universities from around the world, assuring you of the best treatment.
Amenities and Environment
The facilities and setting of a centre is of tremendous importance for the healing process. Having access to high-quality amenities in a serene environment helps calm the nervous system, which allows you to be more peaceful and increases your capacity to process thoughts and feelings that lead to addiction.
Specialized Programs
If you have unique needs, such as a co-occurring mental illness, consider a centre that has staff trained in treating mental health conditions. It is impossible to treat addiction effectively without also working on underlying mental disorders.
Cost
Centres have a range of different prices, depending on the quality of the centre and services provided. Drug rehabilitation and alcohol rehabilitation centres in countries like the United States do tend to be significantly more expensive than countries like India. You should take this into account when budgeting.
Treatment Approach
Evidence-based treatment approaches are the gold standard when it comes to drug and alcohol treatment. CBT and DBT are two of the most effective ways of treating addiction, though there are other psychotherapy methodologies that rehabs use to address addiction.
Life after Rehabilitation: Long-Term Recovery
Completing a drug rehabilitation centre or alcohol rehabilitation centre is a vital step on the road to recovery. After you have gone through the Samarpan program, you will have thoroughly looked at the reasons why you used it and be ready to go out into the world without drugs or alcohol.
But this is not the end of your recovery process. Life will continue to throw challenges at you that you will have to navigate without using substances.
But you don’t have to do it by yourself. After leaving Samarpan, you can continue having individual and group sessions, either at our centres in Pune and Mumbai, or over video calls.
We find that continued treatment is incredibly beneficial when you are first out of inpatient rehab.
How Long Does Rehabilitation Take?
Drug rehabilitation and alcohol rehabilitation takes a minimum of 28 days. This is enough time to stop using drugs and alcohol, go through a medical detox, and deal with some of the issues that were keeping you locked in a cycle of addiction. Staying connected with drug and alcohol professionals after this period has ended is crucial for maintaining long-term recovery.
Can I Do Rehabilitation By Myself?
People with substance addiction often wonder whether it is possible to rehabilitate themselves without the help of a drug rehabilitation centre or alcohol rehabilitation centre. It’s easy to see why. After all, rehab can be costly, and it is time-consuming.
And there’s no doubt about it. Some people with mild addictions to substances have been able to quit without professional help. So why do you need to go to rehab? There’s a few reasons for this.
Painful and Dangerous Detox Process
Firstly, the detox process. Detox can be very unpleasant if you have more than a mild addiction... You stop using the substances you used to function, so you go into withdrawal. While withdrawal usually lasts around a week, it is one of the most challenging experiences someone can go through.
And withdrawal can be dangerous. If you are using drugs like Xanax or Valium, you need a drug rehabilitation centre. Withdrawal from these drugs can cause fatal seizures, meaning you must have a medical professional who is trained in using detox medications to help you wean off these drugs.
The same is true if you have been drinking large amounts of alcohol. Withdrawal can be fatal, and you must attend an alcohol rehabilitation centre to ensure your safety.
Even if it were possible to detox without the help of a rehab centre, this process is only the first step of your journey. Most of the time you spend during rehab is spent looking at the reasons why you used, and receiving education on how to stay clean and sober.
This is not always a straightforward process. Some of the reasons why you use substances may be unknown to you, and it can take a while to process the information you need to stay clean from substances.
Long-Term Treatment Outcomes
The period immediately following detox is the most tentative stage of the recovery process. Sobriety is new to you, and it is easy to get overwhelmed and relapse. If you are trying to stop using drugs and alcohol at home, you will be subjected to all the triggers that caused you to use.
You will be in the same area as the people you used to drink or use drugs with. It can be tempting to go and see these people after you have stopped using substances, but in our experience at Samarpan, this is one of the quickest routes back to addiction.
Taking time away from home at a rehab allows you to be away from all of these stresses, allowing your nervous system to reset, and making sure you are away from the people, places and things that can cause your relapse.
Drug and Alcohol-Free Environment
At Samarpan, there is no absolutely no access to drugs and alcohol. This is crucial when you are new to recovery and cravings are at their strongest.
This is not the case if you attempt to rehabilitate yourself at home. Drugs and alcohol are everywhere, and all it takes is a bad day (or bad moment) for you to decide to drink or use again.
When you are in a rehab environment, it is possible to see the cravings rise up, but not act on them. These cravings are something you can discuss with your counsellor, and you can strategize on how to resist your cravings after you leave our drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre.
How Do I Know If I Need Rehabilitation?
There are a number of signs to look out for that will help you be sure that you should go to a rehab centre for treatment.
- Family and friends tell you to get help. If your loved ones let you know that you have a drug or alcohol problem and require professional help, they are probably right. It is rare for those close to us to say this unless it is true!
- Physical and mental health problems. If you are suffering from problems with your body and mind due to substance abuse, you should probably attend a rehab centre.
- Relationship problems. You may need treatment if you are damaging your relationships with loved ones due to your drug and alcohol use.
- Financial issues. Problems with money caused by substance use is another clear indication that you need professional support.
- You can’t stop. The clearest-cut way that you can tell you should go to rehab is that you are unable to stop using drugs or alcohol, despite wanting to.
Samarpan Recovery Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre
Rehabilitation is the most effective way to get clean and sober from drugs. If you are suffering and do not know how to quit, know that there is an answer.
No matter how far you have fallen, Samarpan Recovery can pick you up again. We have helped those with the most severe addictions find recovery, and we know that we can help you too.
For more information about our program, or to organize a visit to our centre, please contact us today.