Drug Addiction Rehab

Drug abuse and addiction comprise a public health problem that affects many people and has wide-ranging social consequences, thus the increasing need for drug rehabs in the U.S. Addiction does begin with drug abuse when an individual makes a conscious choice to use drugs, but addiction is not just "a lot of drug use. Recent scientific research provides overwhelming evidence that not only do drugs interfere with normal brain functioning creating powerful feelings of pleasure, but they also have long-term effects on brain metabolism and activity. At some point, changes occur in the brain that can help to turn drug abuse into addiction, and it is at this point a drug rehab program should be sought. Those addicted to drugs suffer from a compulsive drug craving and usage and in the majority of instances cannot quit by themselves. In the case of addiction, drug rehab is often times necessary to end this compulsive behavior.

A variety of approaches are used in drug rehab treatment programs to help patients deal with these cravings and possibly avoid drug relapse. Research shows that drug addiction is clearly treatable, and experts in the field of addiction agree that drug rehab programs are the best possible option for long term success regarding drug addiction. Drug rehab treatment for addiction can have a profound effect not only on drug abusers, but on society as a whole by significantly improving social and psychological functioning, decreasing related criminality and violence, and reducing the spread of AIDS. It can also dramatically reduce the costs to society of drug abuse. Understanding drug abuse also helps in understanding how to prevent use in the first place. Research has shown that a comprehensive prevention programs that involves the family, schools, communities, and the media are effective in reducing drug abuse. It is necessary to keep sending the message that it is better to not start at all than to enter drug rehab if addiction occurs.

The cover story for the July 16, 2007 issue of Time Magazine speaks to the nature of addiction and how "new brain research is helping us understand why we get hooked." The researchers involved use addicts� brains to "design new drugs that are showing promise in cutting off the craving that drives an addict towards relapse." If an addict just didn�t crave the drug, he would be fine, right? This is only solving a small part of the problem. There is so much more to what causes an individual to become addicted to drugs. There are always underlying issues that the once sober individual is trying to escape. Giving an addict a drug to stop drug craving only addresses a small part of the drug addiction. Individuals should be especially wary of drug rehab programs that use drugs to withdraw from drugs, it is simply illogical. There are drug free ways to reduce the cravings that an addict experiences and provide a complete drug free rehab for the drug addict. These drug free rehabs offer the addict an opportunity, upon completion of the program, to be "truly" drug free.

When some people decide to go into drug rehab, they look for a treatment center that has extra benefits attached, such as outdoor pursuits, skills training, or a strong social element. They tend to lose their focus on what is really important in a drug treatment program. They go into rehab forgetting that it is an opportunity to change the course of their lives in a positive way, and to get to a point where they can live successfully drug free. While learning new skills and making friends is a healthy aspect of drug rehab, it is important not to let these things distract the individual. A drug rehab can offer various amenities and options, but these should not be the deciding factor in choosing a drug rehab. The most important thing an individual needs to research is the success rate of the drug rehab center. This statistic alone should be more important than any other factor when choosing a drug rehab program.

Of course cost of the drug rehab program has to be a consideration for most individuals. There are some financial costs involved in obtaining drug rehab treatment, but remaining addicted to drugs costs many individuals their lives, everyday.