Holistic Approach To Drug And Alcohol Rehab

Drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs can vary in different degrees in their approaches, the amount of one-on-one versus group therapy, the length of stay, etc. If you are looking for a treatment center, you want to look around a little and see which one you feel the most comfortable with. There are four kinds of substance abuse programs: counseling, inpatient, outpatient and residential. The proper program for the substance abuser depends on the severity of the problem. In counseling the individual sees a therapist and tries to develop new coping skills to replace the faulty ones involving drugs and alcohol. Inpatient care has the patient in the structured environment of a treatment center setting twenty-four hours a day. Outpatient treatment means day-care, group sessions, etc. Residential care has the patient living in a therapeutic community as he learns to live in a drug-free community. Rehabilitation is a long-term process and being in the right program may be the key to the secret of a successful rehabilitation.

One program that is interesting is the Holistic Addiction Treatment Center. This treatment facility tailors the program to the needs of the individual. Its short term inpatient care is 4 ½ - 10 weeks. Its long-term outpatient care is 10 weeks to 1 year. These time periods can be longer or shorter depending on circumstances. They include the patient in the treatment planning by the team. The Holistic approach includes herbs, vitamins, steam baths, whirlpool, massage and acupuncture. The purpose is to help purge the body, mind and spirit of the effects of the substance abuse. This is all part of Phase One.

Phase Two transitions the patient back into the work force. Its length is forty five days. The patient works during the day and receives treatment during the evenings and weekends. This is part of helping the patient learn to live a drug free life. Phase Three consists of weekly visits to the treatment center as part of the client's aftercare. The emphasis is on prevention of relapse. This phase lasts for one year.

The goal of all substance abuse rehabilitation programs is first of all, to help the client withdraw from drugs in a controlled manner using medications to assist the process. The second purpose is to help the client work out his problems that led to the substance abuse and to help him develop coping skills to prevent a relapse.