Before we begin to understand how drug rehabilitation works and how it can
help us, let us first understand what drug rehab actually
is and what it entails.
Rehabilitation, also known as rehab, is a sort of treatment that can be
used to help a person recover from addictions, physical or mental
illnesses, and even injuries. Drug rehab e.g
alcohol medical detox
is basically the process of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment for
people who are dependent on psychoactive substances like alcohol,
prescription drugs like pain killers, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, etc. The
primary intent of this treatment is to help the patient confront substance
dependence and stop substance abuse altogether to avoid the harmful effects
like financial, physical, psychological, and legal consequences.
How Does Drug Rehab Work?
Before any form of treatment is started, a mental health professional or an
addiction counselor shall perform an assessment. This assessment takes into
account self-reports and medical records to understand the patient’s
medical history, patterns of substance abuse, physical conditions and
problems, mental health, physical disabilities, living conditions, suicide
risks, past rehab history, etc.
Once the results are with the counselor, he or she shall chalk out an
individualized treatment plan that is tailored to suit the needs of the
patient. Some of the common treatment plans suggested for drug rehab are the following.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
– This is a form of treatment that helps patients identify, avoid, and cope
with the situations in which they are most likely to relapse. CBT also
helps to improve mental health and also helps to improve cognitive
distortions and behaviors. Unlike many other forms of treatment, CBT is an
"action-oriented" and "problem-focused" form of therapy that is used to
treat explicit problems related to a mental disorder. CBT is extremely
helpful in treating less severe forms of disorders, eating disorders,
psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, eating disorder,
etc.
Motivational interviewing – This is a form of treatment that is
client-centered and directive. This counseling style is designed to draw
out behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve conflicting
emotions and behavior. This form of treatment is more goal-directed and
focused. The four processes that are included in motivational interviewing
are engaging – where a working relationship is based on trust and respect
between the patient and counselor, focusing – which is a process of seeking
and maintaining direction, evoking – which involves building confidence and
hope and planning – which includes developing a plan of action and the
patient committing to change and turn over a new leaf.