California Drug Rehab and Treatment
Jump to:
1. What to Expect
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
3. Alternative Therapy Programs
4. Find the Right Treatment Program in California
When an individual who is addicted to drugs or alcohol has made the decision to seek treatment for their condition, they must decide where they will obtain their treatment. There are several options available; however, seeking the best treatment in California may be one of the better choices. California offers some of the most progressive therapies, with alternative treatments available at most treatment centers. Many of the treatment providers, including medical staff and substance abuse counselors, are the very best in their fields. They choose to live and work in California because they understand the need for innovation and progressive thought processes in the realm of substance abuse treatment.
What to Expect
The first phase of any top treatment program is the detoxification process. This process begins as soon as an individual stops taking the drugs to which they have become addicted. In some cases, the withdrawal symptoms begin immediately, while in others the effects are delayed until the immediate effects of the drug use wear off. In either case, the symptoms of withdrawal will vary depending upon the type of drugs taken. For instance, those individuals withdrawing from cocaine may not experience the same symptoms of nausea and vomiting that are associated with heroin withdrawal. Most individuals who are going through the detox process will experience some common symptoms, including:
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Exhaustion
- Pain throughout the body
- Irritability
Most facilities for drug rehab and treatment in California can provide assistance during the detoxification process in the form of companionship, and some medical treatment to alleviate the symptoms. Making a recovering addict as comfortable as possible during the detox phase greatly increases the chances that the addict will not relapse this early in the recovery process. Detox by itself is not a treatment, however, and must be followed by an intensive treatment program.
Once the recovering addict has completed the detox phase, which can last from a few days to as long as week in some cases, the individual will enter the treatment phase of recovery. In California, there are many choices when it comes to drug rehab and treatment.
Inpatient Rehab and Treatment
Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
When an individual is addicted to drugs or alcohol, the addiction often makes it difficult to make clear decisions. Part of the disease of addiction also includes the inability to react to day-to-day situations without including opportunities to use drugs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, commonly called CBT, is a tool used by treatment professionals to retrain the way a recovering addict thinks and reacts to various situations. The treatment lasts for approximately four months and includes one-on-one therapy sessions with a counselor, group therapy sessions with others suffering from the disease of addiction, as well as homework assignments and self-assessments. It is a partnership between the recovering addict and the treatment providers that has proven effective for a growing number of recovering addicts and alcoholics.
Alternative Therapy Programs
No single treatment is effective for every individual. While one individual may respond to CBT, others may need more innovative approaches in order to reach total recovery. Because of this, providers in California have been the most dedicated to the use of alternative therapies for the treatment of addiction and addiction-related diseases.
Alternative therapies include a wide range of programs, including yoga, martial arts, meditation, animal therapy, acupressure, acupuncture and massage.
These alternative therapies provide a plethora of resources for the recovering addict. Some teach problem-solving skills while others provide a new outlet for emotional stress that do not include the damaging effects of alcohol or drug abuse.
Find the Right Treatment Program in California
The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most desirable areas for drug treatment in Northern California. With beautiful weather conducive to outdoor activities, California makes is possible to enjoy the benefits of many alternative therapies in pristine settings that include incredible vistas of the Pacific Ocean as well as the laid-back cultural environment that is unique to the state.
If the recovering addict chooses to live in a sober living home after graduation from a top drug treatment center, he or she will have many locations from which to choose. A sober living home provides a drug- and alcohol-free living situation where each member of the household is also in recovery. This is often a huge support factor to fight against the possibility of relapse, giving the recovering addict a firm foundation before they return to their original living situation. Each sober living home can provide easy access to continued support through a treatment center or local support group meetings.
The purpose of treatment is to help a recovering addict understand his or her disease through counseling, education and practical life experience. The process can take weeks or months of the best inpatient or outpatient therapy, and there is no better place to completely immerse oneself in recovery than California.