Benefits of Attending an All-Women Rehab Program

There have been studies conducted over the years to determine just how different men are from women.  Do women heal differently than men?  Do women cope differently, better or worse than men?  Is there a difference in the recovery process for women compared to men?  While the jury is still out on many of these inquiries, women already know the answer.  Women are affected by their life experiences in a way that is unique to their gender, and sometimes, men just don’t get it.

This is one of the reasons why it might be a good idea to seek a female-only rehab program.  Here are a few more.

• Safety and Security From Emotional Blockages
  Many women turn to drugs or alcohol to escape the pain of a traumatic experience. Sexual abuse, domestic violence or sexual assault may play a part in why some women turn to drugs. If this is the case, being forced to communicate directly with men in a group dynamic, or simply being exposed to men throughout a residential treatment process, could block the addict’s ability to truly discover herself and her reasons for using. If the woman is fearful of the presence of men, her recovery may suffer.

  Choosing an all-women recovery center removes this emotional blockage and provides the addict with the knowledge that she is safe and secure among other women - some of whom may have the same fears and motivations that she does.

• Healing Styles
  Men have one way of handling stressful situations, especially when it comes to sharing how they feel or what most frightens them. Women have an entirely different way of nurturing their own feelings. While men tend to react with defensiveness to others’ emotions, women are more apt to soothe and tend to others’ needs.

  When women experience the same emotional environment as a group, they are more likely to help each other and accept new members more quickly. This is especially true if there are no thoughts of ego or competition for the attention of men in the group.

• Women Face Problems in Recovery That Men May Not Understand
  In many cases, women fear entering recovery because of the effect it may have on their children or partners. Women are often seen as the center of a household and family, caring for and tending to their partner’s and children’s needs. Because of these factors, when women do choose to enroll in a treatment center, they carry with them the additional guilt of having “abandoned” their families, even though recovery is the best possible choice for their families.

  An all-woman treatment facility or rehab center is better equipped to handle these additional issues and place the female addict’s mind to rest concerning their partners and children.

• Sexual Orientation
  Many lesbians have been subjected to homophobia by men and society in general. This condition may contribute to their addiction problems. By centering a treatment program in a gender-specific way, all women, both homosexual and heterosexual, can become empowered by acknowledging their gender and the role it plays in their lives.

In addition to these issues, women are more apt to be open and honest about their feelings of inadequacy, insecurity and low self-esteem when surrounded by a gender-specific group.

What to Look for in an Executive Addiction Treatment Center

The disease of addiction knows no boundaries.  It can affect children, adults, the elderly, and people of every race, creed, ethnic background and economic status.  In fact, there are a number of highly respected executives who have suffered from addiction.  Because many treatment centers understand the need for privacy and security, there are resources available for individuals who have earned their current status through hard work and dedication.

When looking for an executive addiction treatment center, there are a few questions you may want to ask before you decide which one is best suited to your needs.

• Is the facility private?
  High-level executives have more at stake in the privacy of their recovery process than personal embarrassment. In many cases, when the highest members of a corporation are deemed to be even temporarily ineffective, stock prices can be affected. The company you have worked so hard to create and the stockholders to whom you owe your very best efforts should not pay the price for your illness. Be certain the executive treatment center you choose knows the meaning of discretion. Consider these questions:
  • Is the facility located in an out-of-the-way place?
  • Are the grounds protected from photographers or others who may have an interest in your situation?
  • Are guests checked prior to entering the compound to ensure they have reasons to be there?
  • Are staff and all delivery personnel subjected to background checks?
• Is the facility accommodating?
  You have worked hard for your current status. You have control over your career and you’ve earned certain rights and privileges. You have come to the conclusion that drug or alcohol use or abuse is not one of these privileges, of course, but you shouldn’t have to give up the luxuries you’ve earned. When choosing an executive addiction treatment center, consider touring the premises, speaking with other residents and ensuring that you will feel comfortable as you spend several months concentrating on your recovery.
• Does the facility understand the pressures of an executive lifestyle?
  Running a large company or corporation contains a host of pressures unique to the profession. A rehabilitation treatment center designed for individuals in executive positions should be familiar with the nature of the career-minded individual. The staff should be able to identify with the needs and desires of the individuals they treat, as well as have the concerned aptitude to address issues head on with their charges by teaching new ways in which to cope with the pressures of daily life.
• Does the facility offer holistic treatments?
  Many executive professionals have worked long and hard to get where they are. The “rat race” of the corporate world often leaves little time to cater to one’s own needs. Holistic techniques like a good diet, meditation, Reiki or other therapeutic massage techniques, and exercise can go a long way to reducing the stress that might lead an individual to relapse into drug abuse. An executive treatment center that offers alternative therapies can teach a recovering executive addict healthier lifestyle choices to carry with them into their pressure-filled lives.

What Is the Basic Structure of an Outpatient Rehab Program?

When an addict is unable to enter a medical facility or other residential treatment program, the option for outpatient treatment is available.  There are several reasons that an addict may choose an outpatient program, including:

• Cost of the program or lack of insurance
• Severity of addiction
• Lifestyle issues, such as work, school or taking care of family members
• Personal choice based upon modalities

The basic structure of an outpatient rehab program is basically the same regardless of the program chosen and will often include several factors, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

When an outpatient rehab program is the best option, it is important that the recovering addict attends all of the scheduled sessions and appointments in order for the program to succeed.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive (meaning thought) and behavioral (meaning actions) therapy is therapy that addresses the individual’s methods for dealing with specific situations. This therapy helps the addict learn new ways to cope and new behaviors to implement in situations that would normally lead to the abuse of drugs or alcohol.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is generally held privately in one-on-one sessions with each participant in the program.

Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy

In many cases, this therapy is used for adolescents with drug and alcohol abuse issues that have either stemmed from or affected the overall family dynamic.  However, it can be beneficial for the families of adult addicts when there are children involved.  This therapy helps the family to reconnect in a new sober lifestyle while addressing the issues of anger, abuse, neglect or fear to which the addict’s choices may have contributed.  It can also address these same feelings within the addict which may have led to the choice to use drugs or alcohol to cope.

Motivational Interviewing

The process of motivational interviewing focuses on the individual addict.  It can help determine the addict’s overall preparedness to enter treatment and show whether the addict is truly in an emotional position to change their behavior and lifestyle choices.

Motivational Incentives

In the earliest days of recovery, the desire to use drugs can be their strongest.  In their recent past, addicts see drug use as a reward.  Perhaps they had a very rough day or they suffered through some trauma; drug use is a means to mitigate the damage these events caused and make the addict feel better.  Motivational incentives are the positive reinforcements that can replace the “drug reward” in the mind of the addict.  These may take the form of monetary incentives (there have been programs that offer gift cards donated by local businesses, for instance, for clean drug tests).  In other cases, the incentives are more emotional (such as a visit with an estranged child).

Group Therapy

Trust and sharing are sometimes foreign to a drug addict who has spent a great deal of time hiding behind their drug abuse.  Group therapy with others in a similar position can help the addict understand they are not alone and that they can cope with the issues they face on a daily basis.

Each outpatient program is different concerning how these factors and techniques are implemented, however, the basic structure is the same.  The addict is held responsible for their own decisions while learning about their disease in a productive and encouraging manner.

What Happens at a Medical Detoxification Facility

When an individual becomes dependent upon or addicted to the use of drugs, their physical body becomes so accustomed to the presence of the drug that they feel they cannot function without it.  The need to obtain the drug becomes so strong in some cases that the individual is unable to begin a treatment program without the help of a medical detoxification facility.

The First Step

When the addict first arrives at the medical detox facility, he or she will be searched for any items that may harm them or any member of the staff.  This may include:

• Shoelaces
• Clothing with drawstrings
• Nail clippers or tweezers
• Medications or drugs
• Other personal belongings

It is important to remember that this not a judgment against the individual being admitted but a practice based upon the experiences of others.

Entering Detox

The detoxification process lasts approximately three to five days.  During this time frame, the addict will suffer many serious side effects caused by the withdrawal of the drugs from their body.  As the body purifies, the individual may suffer from a variety of symptoms, including:

• Shaking, trembling and seizure-like spasms
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating and fever
• Irritability that can lead to violence
• Diarrhea
• Severe bone, joint and muscle pain

A medical detoxification facility is staffed by medical doctors, nurses and others who are trained in how to help an addict through this painful and frightening process.

Medication

As with prescription medications, it can be dangerous for an addict to stop using illegally obtained or non-prescription drugs “cold turkey.”  A medical detoxification facility has the ability to help the addict by weaning them off some substances through the use of synthetic medications designed for this purpose.

Supervision, Safety and Security

Addicts who are discontinuing certain drugs, like stimulants, can often become violent and angry.  Their bodies want the drugs they have become used to and the individual will go to great lengths to get them.  A medical detoxification facility has the security and supervision to prevent the addict from harming themselves or others during the withdrawal process.

Sleep Detoxification

Some medical detoxification facilities offer the option to use general anesthesia for the first few hours of detox as a means to alleviate some of the pain of the withdrawal process. An article published by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, however, references a study that shows those who underwent this option had very similar complaints during the remaining detox period as those who were treated with more traditional methods.

When an individual admits himself into a medical detoxification facility, he can expect that the next few days will be difficult.  There is no easy road to recovery.  However, with the right facility and an experienced staff, he can also expect to come out on the other side of the detox period physically ready to enter the rehab phase of the process.  Drug detox is not rehab; this is the process that an addict must go through in order to be sober when they enter rehab.  The rehabilitation portion of the process begins when the detox period ends.  They are both important steps towards recovery.  An individual who goes through the detox process and does not follow up with the drug treatment program will, most likely, relapse.

Types of Alternative Therapies Used in Addiction Recovery

Addiction recovery is a multi-layered process that deals with many aspects of the human condition. Unlike other illnesses that may require a shot or some new miracle drug to fix them, the illness of addiction needs to be treated on varying levels. Addiction recovery must address:

• The physical aspects of recovery
• The mental and psychological aspects (including the possibility of dual diagnoses)
• The spiritual aspects of recovery
• The forgiveness aspects of recovery

In order to better address these many different parts of the recovery process, many treatment centers have instituted alternative therapies to help the recovering addict learn coping skills, forgiveness, and how to reach a state of consciousness they can enjoy without the use of dangerous drugs or alcohol.

Equine Therapy

The use of horses in several therapeutic areas has become more popular in recent years.  In the case of alcohol and drug rehab, the addict may be asked to care for the needs of an animal or to care for the animal itself.  One possible benefit from this type of activity has to do with learning to communicate effectively.  For instance, when a horse doesn’t want to do something, it takes compassion, deliberateness, confidence and control to convince the horse to cooperate. These skills are all beneficial to someone who has felt out of control for quite some time.

Meditation and Yoga

The quiet times during a treatment program can be the most profound.  Many people afflicted with drug and alcohol addictions have avoided being alone with themselves for a long period of time. Meditation and exercise, like yoga, can reconnect an individual to their inner self and help them figure out healthy ways to find the peace they seek.

Reiki and Massage

Reiki is an energetic healing modality that is centuries old.  The Reiki practitioner places their hands either on or directly above their clients to move physical energies into alignment.  Several institutions, including the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), have conducted studies regarding the use of Reiki to treat pain, stress, nausea and other symptoms that might come into play in a rehabilitation setting.

While the jury is still out because of the small size of the participant groups, those who prefer energy healing have found great benefit in the use of Reiki and traditional massage therapy during the recovery process.

Art

Art therapy can include learning the basics of playing an instrument, painting, sculpting and other forms of artistic expression, including writing.  According to Dr. James W. Pennebaker of the University of Texas at Austin, “Writing about emotional upheavals in our lives can improve physical and mental health.”  He spoke of the benefits of creating and artistic writing with the National Institute of Health’s News in Health publication in 2008.

Entering a recovery center is a very personal choice.  Choosing one that offers alternative therapies as well as traditional modalities for treatment can make the experience more personal, less “medicinal” and create the avenues of expression to help the recovering addict remain healthy in the future.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Drug Treatment Programs

When an individual is ready to seek treatment for their drug and alcohol addiction, there are many options from which to choose.  The first decision that must be made concerns whether to enter an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. This decision will be based upon many factors, including:

• Insurance benefits
• The severity of the addiction
• Previous attempts at treatment
• Overall costs
• Specific treatment modalities
• Availability

While some of these factors will make or break a decision, others should have less weight applied to them.  The overall cost of a treatment program, for instance, is important, but more important than the costs are the benefits that can be gained for each individual.

Understanding the benefits of each type of program, inpatient vs. outpatient, is the best way to decide what is best for the individual.

Inpatient Treatment Program Benefits

An inpatient alcohol and drug addiction treatment program offers several benefits.  The first benefit, and perhaps the most profound, is the limited access that an addicted individual will have to their drugs of choice or other harmful substances.  Inpatient facilities have the right to screen and search visitors as well as look through mail and packages to ensure that nothing untoward is being introduced to the patients.

Another benefit to an inpatient treatment program is the access that patients have to staff members.  Many facilities offer around-the-clock nursing and psychiatric help to their residents.

Some inpatient facilities offer luxury accommodations.  If the addict, at least in their own mind, believes that they use drugs or alcohol because of stress or other conditions in their life, being surrounded by a calm, relaxing and soothing environment can aid in the recovery process.

Outpatient Treatment Program Benefits

The most significant benefit to an outpatient treatment program begins with the overall cost.  Chances are that the cost of the outpatient treatment services will be far less than those of an inpatient facility.  There are no room or board costs to cover, of course, and the staff members are not required to live on site.

Also considering the costs of treatment overall, an outpatient treatment program allows the recovering addict to continue working, earn a living and pay their bills.  This is crucial if the patient is the sole breadwinner in their family.

Many intensive outpatient programs have schedules that involve their patients on a daily basis, either in the mornings, afternoons or evenings, depending upon the particular day and individual schedule.  This provides the recovering addict with the flexibility they need to access treatment as often as they can while still maintaining control over their daily responsibilities.

The final benefit of an outpatient treatment program comes in the form of insurance coverage.  Many insurance companies that offer rehab benefits will only pay for outpatient treatment, at least in the beginning.  While some insurance providers will cover inpatient care after other forms of treatment have been exhausted, it is much easier to file a claim for outpatient services than it is for care an inpatient facility.

There are good aspects and not-so-good aspects to both types of rehab treatments.  The ultimate decision must be based upon what is best for the patient and their family.

Are There Rehabilitation Centers for Teens?

The problems facing teens who are addicted to drugs and alcohol are often different from those faced by adults.  Teens have a different ways of seeing the world, different viewpoints on the issues in their lives and often have an entirely unique perspective about their addiction.  Because of these variances in the actual affliction of addiction, it makes sense that some teens will respond better to treatment that is specific to their age group.

A few of these unique issues may include:

• Peer pressure
• Achievement issues pertaining to grades or athletics
• Parental abandonment issues from an uninvolved parent (due to death, divorce or other issues)
• Feelings of inadequacy

As with adult inpatient rehab centers, facilities for teen drug addiction and alcohol rehab will require your child to live on the premises.  Because you will be entrusting the center with your child’s welfare, you may want to ask them several important questions before you commit to using their program, such as:

• What kind of program does the facility offer teens?
  Does the facility operate on a holistic approach for treating teens, or is it based upon a more traditional 12-step program? The type of program is less important than the way your child perceives the help they may achieve. A 12-step program, for instance, depends upon the addict’s ability to admit they have a problem in the early stages of treatment. If your child is not participating in his or her own treatment or if they are reluctant to enter rehab, this may not be the best treatment option.
• Does the teen facility allow more frequent visits for teens than an adult facility does?
  Many treatment facilities limit the number and frequency of visits as a part of their recovery program. This is designed to keep negative outside influences from affecting the overall treatment process. In the case of your teenaged child, however, you may want to have more access to check on progress and visit with your child. When a child is removed from their home, it can be a traumatic experience. Bearing this in mind, it is important to remember that a period of no-contact is standard in most treatment facilities. The question of whether you will have more access to your teen in a specialized facility may come into play in the latter weeks of treatment.
• Does the teen facility offer adequate security to protect your teen?
  When individuals are undergoing rehabilitation treatment for drugs and alcohol abuse, there may be stages of recovery where irritability can lead to violence. When you are considering a teen treatment facility for your child, it’s a good idea to ask the administration about their security measures. Are the residents screened for violent criminal histories? Are closed circuit cameras in place in all common areas? What recourse does your child have to lodge complaints against other patients or staff members should the need arise?

Turning the health and welfare of your child over to others can be a very difficult thing to do.  Knowing that there are rehab centers that specialize in the needs of teenagers suffering from addiction can go a long way to putting a parent’s mind at ease.

Advantages to Attending a Holistic Drug Rehab

Just as there are many types and personalities of people in the world, there are also many variations of rehab facilities.  Some are rather cold and medicinal while others are luxurious and cater to the ultra-wealthy.  Still others are more holistic in nature and offer a wide range of alternative therapies for their patients.  So, what are the benefits and advantages to attending a holistic rehab?

There are a few types of treatment that are available at a holistic center that may not be available at a more traditional rehab.  These types of modalities include:

• Reiki
• Acupuncture
• Rapid eye technology
• Meditation
• Specific diet and exercise

Each of these modalities brings a special benefit to the patient.  For instance, Reiki is an energetic healing process that focuses energy to help the patient’s body heal itself.  It has shown results in the easing of withdrawal symptoms in some patients as well as residual pain from opiate abuse.

In addition to the alternative treatments available at a holistic rehab, the patient may also find specialized diets focusing on vegetarian influences to help cleanse the body of toxins from food as well as toxins from drugs or alcohol addiction.

3 Important Advantages Found in Holistic Rehab

1. Detoxification

When an individual enters a rehab facility, they can expect a detox period right away.  This is the time period through which an individual’s body will eliminate the “leftover” drugs in their system.  In a holistic treatment center, there is more to detox than simply not taking drugs.  A holistic facility will spend time with the patient clearing the system of other toxins as well through the use of cleanses and energy work as it is required.

2. Learning to Handle Stress in a Healthy Way

One of the reasons that some addicts relapse after leaving rehab has to do with daily stress.  Without the proper coping skills, an addict may return to old habits or escape routes to avoid the stresses and challenges they face once they leave rehab.  A holistic facility teaches techniques including yoga or Reiki to help the recovering addict deal with stress in healthy and positive ways.

3. Finding Comfort in Spirit

Many rehab treatment centers follow programs that include the belief in a higher power.  A holistic treatment center is no different, but they take the influence of one’s higher power in combination with the spirit of the individual.  A holistic facility can often respect any and all spiritual paths, applying the power that the recovering addict holds true to the individual’s ability to know that power within their own character.

When considering a holistic treatment facility instead of a traditional medical rehab, it is necessary to invest your entire being into the process.  The mind, body and spirit connection is profound.  When you decide to use a holistic approach to healing, you must bring a commitment and deep understanding of how powerful the individual is and how important they are to their own healing process.

Types of Drug Rehabs

There are several types of drug rehab programs and facilities available.  The most common ones are short stay, residential and outpatient facilities.  Drug rehabilitation philosophies run the gamut as well.  There are some that focus on the spiritual, others which place a strong emphasis on the psychological and others that will focus on the medical aspect of the disease. The latter are known as medical rehab facilities.  They help drug users with the physical withdrawal symptoms that occur when they are first getting off of drugs. This may include the administration of medication or simply treating the patient while they are going through the detoxification process.

Typically, the drug rehab options that a person has will depend on how much money they have available to spend on treatment and whether or not their health insurance provides coverage.  Persons with a great deal of money are able to afford drug rehab programs that are very intensive and holistic.  While this may have its advantages, in most cases it doesn’t matter how many or what types of perks a drug rehab program has. Recovery essentially boils down to if an individual is ready to quit. Persons with a lot of money often need more than one rehab stay just as addicts with less money.  While it may be assumed that there are obvious advantages to being able to afford more expensive rehab programs, whether or not one is able to kick their habit will come down to if they are ready and if the program that they choose is right for them and is able to address the issues relating to their addiction.

Inpatient treatment programs are one type of drug rehab facility.  Addicts stay in the treatment center and their actions are tightly regulated.  Individuals receive meals and often times counseling.  There may also be some type of medical component when the person is first admitted to the program. Inpatient drug rehab typically requires only a short stay. Generally, 4-6 weeks is the most time that individuals will spend in these types of facilities.

Outpatient drug rehab is another alternative for drug addicts.  This type of rehab allows individuals to continue to work and live with their family. There are meetings and classes that they will attend that address both the psychological and environmental triggers of addiction.  Individuals will learn ways to navigate their environment and also to handle stress without using drugs. One such popular program is Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.).  This program is very similar to Alcohol Anonymous. N.A. uses spirituality as a foundation for overcoming drug addiction. Consequently, an individual has an opportunity to incorporate their faith while getting clean.

Lastly, there are long-term drug rehabilitation centers. These types of rehabilitation facilities typically require that an individual stay for a pretty good length of time, even up to a year.  It may very well be longer then that. Individuals leave when they complete the program or believe that they are able and strong enough to return to their environment without relapsing.  They may also offer job-training and counseling. Their goal is to give addicts the tools that they will need to be successful once they leave the facility.