Drug rehab is not fun. It is not a day in the park. It is one of the most challenging aspects of anyone’s life. Those who have not had to deal with it can not understand it.

Drug rehab is not fun. It is not a day in the park. It is one of the most challenging aspects of anyone’s life. Those who have not had to deal with it can not understand it. Nor can any person who is addicted to drugs or simply taking their first hit realize what it will mean to stop and to get into drug rehab. The simple fact is, though, that drug rehab works.

What is it? Drug rehab or rehabilitation is a process. In many cases, individuals will be checked into a stay at a local home or in a medical facility and will undergo a series of tests. Almost like a jail, individuals will face time and time of questioning, of tests, of people that may not understand. In the end, the goal is to allow the patient to rid their bodies of the drugs that once invaded them. And, then, to allow them to build up their lives so that they realize that drugs are not important, necessary or good.

In most cases, drug rehab will be powerful for the individual. First, the individual will have to commit to it. In some cases, they can be forced into it by their families or by a judge. But, if and when they commit to being clean, this is when the true healing is to start. Here are some things that drug rehab will deal with:

• The first order of business is getting the drugs out of the system. This seems easy from the outside, but the cravings, the body’s withdrawal and the addiction is far from easy to get through. Medically, patience may need help as well as physical help restraints so that they do not hurt themselves.

• During this cycle, patients will also work with counselors to develop an understanding of why they started to take drugs. And, work through those problems.

• There will be needs such as allowing for family members to meet with the individuals and group sessions to help them.

• Screenings will help them to realize how far they have come.

• Many times, drug rehab helps individuals rebuild their lives as well.

For more information please see drug-rehab-info.co.uk

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Drug addiction is a complicated disease that overwhelms both the addict and those who love him. After abusing drugs for a period of time, the user becomes both physically and emotionally dependent upon the drug. Understanding the differences between drug abuse and drug dependence, and how the two relate to one another, is vital in helping the addict recover from this devastating disease.

Understanding Drug Abuse

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), published by the American Psychiatric Association, provides definitions and criteria for making diagnostic judgments relating to the use of drugs and alcohol.

According to the DSM-IV, the essential features of substance abuse are a "maladaptive pattern of substance use manifested by recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to the repeated use of substances."

Drug addiction occurs when a person uses any form of drug for a purpose or in a way other than for what it was created. Most commonly, drug abuse is associated with illicit, or illegal, drugs, however, Drug addiction can also take place with over-the-counter and prescription drugs as well.

Illicit drugs such as marijuana, heroin, and cocaine are commonly abused drugs. Others such as nicotine and alcohol, though legal, are also drugs that get abused. In addition, some people abuse prescription and over-the-counter drugs that are meant to help people in some way, such as oxycontin and even cough syrup. In this case, the drug addict does not actually need the drug for its intended purpose. Instead, the abuser chooses to use it in order to get high.

Understanding Drug Dependency

The DSM-IV describes addiction as follows: "The essential feature of substance dependence is a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues use of the substance despite significant substance related problems."

A person who abuses drugs is not necessarily dependent upon the drug, they will however, ultimately develop a dependency for the substance. The amount of time it takes for person to become dependent on a drug depends on the individual and the type of drug that is abused. For some people, abusing a drug just one time can lead to dependency. For others, it may take several incidents of abuse for a dependency to develop. In addition, drugs such as alcohol and codeine often need to be abused several times before dependency occurs. On the other hand, a person may become addicted to heroin or cocaine after just one use.

A person who is dependent on the drug is considered to be addicted. This is because the person feels the need to abuse the drug in order to feel "normal." This dependence can be either physical or psychological, or both. For example, a person who is dependent upon cigarettes may be physically dependent on the nicotine but also psychologically addicted to having something in their mouth. They may also be psychologically addicted to the feeling they gets after smoking a cigarette. Therefore, a person trying to overcome nicotine addiction needs to overcome both forms of dependency in order to fully recover.

Drug Tolerance

Building a tolerance for a drug exacerbates both drug abuse and dependency. After using a drug for a period of time, a drug addict requires more of the drug in order to achieve a high - or even to feel normal. As a result, they need to abuse more of the drug in order to satisfy the dependency. This vicious cycle is what often leads to an overdose, or taking more of the drug than the body can safely handle.

Unfortunately, addicts who overdose often do not receive the medical help they need. They may be so addicted to the drug that they cannot face the prospect of being forced to stop abusing the it. It can also be because they are physically unable to reach help or because they refuse to seek help. Many will not seek help because they are afraid of getting into legal trouble for drug abuse.

For a list of attorneys that specialize in drug related crimes visit http://www.calrehabguide.com/rehab-guide-rolodex/law/

Sadly, failure to seek help often results in death for the addict. Even those who do receive prompt medical attention may not live past the overdose.

* Withdrawal

When an addict seeks help for drug addiction, they will have to endure a detoxification period. During this time, the addict is not allowed the drug any longer. Because the addict is dependent upon the drug, withdrawal can very painful both physically and psychologically.

Physically, the addict's body has become used to the effects of the drug. As a result, his body reacts adversely when it is denied more of the substance. Physical withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person and according to the type of drug abused. Common physical withdrawal symptoms, however, include severe headaches, vomiting, shaking, and increased blood pressure and heart rate.

Psychologically, an addict has come to depend on the drug to cause a certain effect. This effect can be to relieve pain or to bring about feelings of pleasure and the addict does not believe it is possible to achieve these same feelings without using the drug. This causes severe cravings and many addicts feel a great deal of stress while going through withdrawal. For this reason, drug rehab centers provide close monitoring of addicts during the withdrawal period.

If you or a loved one are in need of assistance you can search a list of Califoria and International Rehab Facilities at http://www.calrehabguide.com/rehab-search/

About The Author:
The California Rehab Guide, http://www.calrehabguide.com/ is a comprehensive list of drug rehab and alcohol rehab facilities, a rolodex of Lawyers and Interventionist, a dictionary of drug and rehab definitions with articles on addiction recovery and addiction treatment.

Alcohol abuse refers to the chronic consumption and craving for alcohol, so that it interferes in the normal social and economic functioning of the person. Alcohol Rehab tries to treat and bring back to normal victims of this condition.

The alcoholic is unable to stop his craving for drinking. He fails to complete his obligations at work or home. He undertakes activities that are dangerous in his condition, including drunk driving. He may encounter legal problems, and cannot and will not stop drinking despite personal, official and medical problems.

Alcoholism can be fatal. It affects the addict’s health in many ways. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is an irreversible condition associated with excessive consumption of alcohol by pregnant women. It leads to physical and mental deficiencies and even fetal death. Another killer condition is Cirrhosis, caused by alcoholism and leading to liver failure and death.

Alcohol Rehab must be done carefully by trained medical professionals. It involves evaluation and management of acute alcohol withdrawal, treatment of nutritional deficiencies, detoxification and the maintenance of abstinence.

Medical treatment of alcoholism involves initially the management of alcohol withdrawal. Treatment includes the use of thiamine and folate fed intravenously to prevent Wernicke Kosakoff syndrome (an eye disorder). Seizures must be treated with Benzodiazepines.

After medical management is over, a psychosocial Rehabilitation program must be undertaken. This includes educating the entire family of the patient, individual or group therapy, or even a spiritual ‘12 steps to sobriety’ program given by Alcoholics Anonymous.

There are some important points to remember. Supervised withdrawal is the first step and must not be hurried. Hurry can be fatal. A medically supervised detox program is the first step. Next step is to choose a Rehab center. Find a treatment center that deals not only with addiction but the holistic picture of psychosocial and legal problems.

The program must involve a major amount of therapy--counseling and occupational. Therapy or counseling is critical for alcohol treatment. Patients learn to resist alcohol use, replace drug-using activities with constructive and rewarding activities. They are asked to shun alcohol abusing company. They also relearn normal family and social living patterns.

Treatment involves continuous monitoring for alcohol use. Some people may require medication for their treatment, and this too must be monitored. Some may be suffering from mental problems that need special treatment. The treatment duration may vary with each case, but 3 months is a safe period for most treatment.

The main point is that there is no singular Rehab formula. The success of treatment depends on finding the right program and methods. Effective treatment must address the patient’s drug use and also related medical, social, psychological, vocational and legal problems.

The treatment may be long-term, involving periods of relapse. The crucial point is not to give up hope, but work patiently till you reach complete abstinence.

Rehab-Web.com" target=_new>Rehab provides detailed information about rehab, alcohol rehab, cardiac rehab, drug rehab and more. Rehab is the sister site of Medical Alert Bracelets.

Auther: Jason Gluckman

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