Important Principles of the Drug Addiction Treatment

If you or a loved one is an addict, before you enroll to rehab treatment center Palo Alto CA there are several principles you need to know. These principles have been written down by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. They are critical to the treatment and recovery journey an individual will go through as they embark on a journey to sobriety.

1.     You brain is affected too

The first principle states that as a drug addict, both your behavior and brain are affected. You may end up acting a certain way because your brain begins to deem those behaviors as normal. Some drugs may end up making you crazy for some time.

2.    Early treatment

For a great outcome, it is critical that one gets the treatment they need early. This also increases the chances that the treatment will succeed.

3.    The beginning of treatment does not have to be voluntary

Many people believe that they need to go in for treatment voluntarily for the treatment to be successful. This is however not the case.  The first step of treatment for an addict is not  usually admitting that they are addicts. It is going to a place they can find help to help them know that they were addicted in the first place. Therefore court, employers’ family and friends can compel an individual to seek treatment.

4.    There is no one size fits all treatment

Just because one form of treatment worked for several people does not make it perfect for all people. The treatment should be able to cater for the unique needs of all the individuals involved. The treatment chosen should therefore be well thought out.

5.    Treatment should be holistic

When choosing a treatment type, it should help your whole life. Treatments that only concentrate o the substance addiction part never work. Holistic treatment teaches an individual how to live life without depending on drugs.

6.    Addiction may cause mental illness

As part of the enrolment process, it is important that individuals get a psyche evaluation. This will ensure that they are also treated for any form of mental illness that may have resulted after drug use.

7.    Co-existing infectious diseases

As part of a holistic treatment program, it is critical that treatment also deals with other diseases participants may have such as TB, HIV and hepatitis. This will help them regain better health as they recover from drug addiction.

8.    Long term behavior change is critical

Going for a detox program is important. It is also the first stage of treatment. However, long term behavioral change is the most critical part of treatment.  This requires behavioral therapy which may involve a combination of individual and group therapy. This will help an individual know behaviors and patterns that may lead to a relapse and how to avoid them. It will also give them support from family and friends after they get out of a rehab treatment center Palo Alto CA.

9.    Possible relapse monitoring

The best treatments will monitor you for a possible relapse throughout the course of treatments and for a certain period after treatment.