First a word about dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis refers to someone who abuses alcohol and or drugs and has a co-occurring psychiatric condition. This is important because drug and or alcohol abuse is usually the person’s attempt to self medicate and self-soothe their psychiatric condition, such as depression, bi-polar, panic or anxiety disorder. Most experts agree that this is the best approach to addressing alcoholism and drug addiction. It treats the underlying cause of the disease. So, if you know someone considering drug rehab, be sure and tell them they need to go to the best dual diagnosis rehab program they can afford.
Posts Tagged ‘drug rehab’
Dual Diagnosis Rehab
Friday, April 2nd, 2010Dual Diagnosis is Real Drug Treatment
Thursday, January 28th, 2010It seems so obvious. Drug treatment should be about treating the whole person and all their problems. Most alcoholics and drug addicts are self medicating themselves and their problems with drugs and alcohol. And so when an addict or alcoholic goes to drug rehab and treatment they should be treated not only for their addiction and alcoholism but also any co-occurring problems such as depression, anxiety or ADHD. Dual diagnosis is still the preferred terminology for this problem. Dual diagnosis rehabs treat not only the drug and alcohol problem but the co-occurring psychological issue as well. This is real treatment at its best.
Drug Treatment Saves Lives
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009Drug addiction is a fatal disease. You either wise up, are locked up or get covered up, that’s about the size of it. Still, going through the process of drug treatment is not fun. But neither is jail or the morgue. I talk with a lot of people who tell me they have tried drug rehab several times and it does not work. And I know they are telling me the truth. Ironically, an addict is probably the worst candidate for doing everything necessary to succeed in recovery. But when your life and freedom are literally on the line, some humans can often find a new gear. And that’s generally what it takes to make it.
Addiction Rehab is All About Change
Thursday, August 20th, 2009Much has been written about the number of people who complete drug addiction rehab only to go back out and use again. So what is going on here? Addiction rehab works, there is not doubt about it. So then what is it that differentiates the “winners” from those who do not succeed? The answer is a willingness to change. Seems simple enough. The truth is it is one of the most difficult things in the world. And the reason it is so hard is humans are creatures of comfort and habit. And drug addicts are by nature reluctant to give up their old ways unless or until they are enough pain to make the herculean effort to change just one thing, everything.
Drug Rehab Has Come a Long Way
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009It wasn’t so long ago, drug rehab was a really bad place. They were dirty, smelly, ugly, nasty institutions. Good places to lose weight maybe but for little else. Well, times have changed. Most drug rehabs are well groomed with caring, well educated staffs. Alcoholism and drug addiction are no longer perceived as moral or character flaws. They are finally recognized as medical diseases which can be put into remission with proper treatment. This is good news because addiction and alcoholism are epidemics which undermine the very fiber of our society. So, going to rehab for alcohol or drug abuse may not be anybody’s idea of a good time but at least they are decent places to learn how to save your life.
Recovery From Addiction is Not Easy
Sunday, July 26th, 2009The fact recovery from drug addiction is not easy, is not news. For most people who have found the way out of the hell called drug addiction, it has been a process. That means recovery starts with hitting “bottom”. At that point the person then is ready to do what it takes to get and stay clean. For many, that meant going to drug rehab, then Narcotics Anonymous and making abstinence the number one priority in their life. Recovery is not easy. It might multiple starts and failures, known as relapses, before they break the cycle habitual cycle. Most would agree, the process of long term successful recovery is about change, major league change. Changing the way the addict thinks, reacts and deals with life. And that baby, ain’t easy.
Michael Jackson Died From Brain Disease
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009Maybe I missed it, but I have not seen the real truth about Michael Jackson’s death come out yet. The truth is Michael Jackson died from a fatal brain disease, that is right. And the thing that is a shame is that everyone close to him knew he had it and as far as I know, NOT ONE OF THEM did enough about it. Wait, there is more to the story. Part of the brain disease Michael Jackson had made it difficult if not virtually impossible for Michael to get the medical help he so obviously needed, on his own. Oh I saw a story today where supposedly Elizabeth Taylor tried to help Michael. So maybe it wasn’t everybody who knew him. Michael Jackson could be alive today if only someone close to him would have stepped up and helped him get treated for his fatal brain disease. And what was the brain disease? The fatal brain disease Michael Jackson had was what is known as drug addiction, a very treatable, beatable disease that can be put and kept in remission.
Not All Rehabs are the Same
Friday, June 19th, 2009Your classic 30 day drug alcohol rehabs come in all kinds of different varieties. Some claim to offer a “cure” for addiciton or alcoholism. Others promise very high rates of success. No two treatment centers are the same. Each has its own philosophy, staff, program and facilities. And 30 days of rehab can cost from $15,000 to $75,000. Betty Ford has the best name recognition. We suggest you take a good hard look at a lot of different places before spending that much money. The best programs have good reputations for high standards and a committment to excellence.