Over five million people in Canada are addicted to drugs – whether legal or illegal.
However, research shows that most of those who enter treatment and remain there, stop using drugs.
The first step in the process is acknowledging there is a problem and committing to doing something about it.
Many wonder how rehabilitation will affect their daily life, how long it will take and how much it will cost.
There’s not an exact time frame, as each person is different. For some it may be 90 days for others it may be 30 days, although studies show those who stay in rehab longer are more likely to achieve long-term sobriety.
This is because they’ve had more time to focus on what it is that causes the addiction and they’re better prepared to resist temptations when the time comes.
The extent of the stay at the drug rehabilitation facility depends on a number of things including the person’s addiction, their history with addiction, dual diagnosis conditions and specific mental needs.
Over 65 percent of those with drug abuse problems also take medication for a psychological or psychiatric ailment.
Cost can vary and depends on a number of things including whether the drug rehabilitation program is an inpatient or outpatient facility. The four major things that affect cost include amenities, length, location and type of program.
When thinking about costs of drug rehabilitation It’s important to remember the long-term cost of drug addiction. Drug addiction comes with many costs such as price of drugs, medical bills associated with the effects of drugs, criminal charges and the loss of jobs drugs may cause.
Many insurance plans do partially coverage drug rehabilitation. Some drug rehabilitation facilities offer payment plans, and there are also charity and federally funded programs.
Looked beyond costs though, the relationship problems, medical problems and overall unhappiness caused by drugs often outweighs any financial issues.
There are many types of therapy programs such as psychotherapy which identifies and treats the underlying emotional and psychological issues causing or contributing to the addiction.
This approach combines cognitive behavioural therapy, rational emotive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy and cognitive bias modification therapy.
Alternative therapies – yoga, meditation, acupuncture, Tai Chi, creative art therapy. These approaches can’t cure drug addiction but they can help renew the body, mind and soul. They can empower an individual to cope with life’s daily struggles and anxieties instead of turning to a substance.
Although most drug rehabilitation facilities prefer to choose abstinence as a first approach, most recognize that it might not work for all. Pharmacotherapy treatment involves anti-addiction medications being prescribed such as altrexone, methadone and suboxone.
Treatment does not fully conclude after the patient exits the drug rehabilitation program. Recovery is an ongoing process that will require work. However there are many options including individual and group therapy, attending 12-step meetings, meditation, yoga, and other forms of exercise or artistic activities.
Relapse is certainly a possibility and should never be viewed as a failure, just an obstacle to overcome along the way. In fact, many addicts complete more than one stay in drug rehabilitation.
