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Deciding to go into a drug treatment program is one of the most daunting and frightening things a person can do. But while drug rehabilitation centers provide dedicated support and care for addicts, the fact there are so many to choose from makes coming to that decision a little more difficult than perhaps it should be.

Among the many drug treatment centers around the country are various types of treatments, which can be very confusing. It's therefore vitally important to find a treatment that suits the individual, as well as the addiction.

Three Stages of Rehabilitation

No matter what type of addiction program is entered into, there are three factors that should be present in all successful drug rehab programs:

Detoxification ' where the body is relieved of the chemicals and poisons that are present within it.

Therapy ' where the body and mind learn to cope with the withdrawal from the chemicals they were reliant on.

Integration ' where the individual learns to cope with stress and a drug-free life, with a view to integrating back into society.

Residential Versus Outpatient

In most cases the type of addiction will determine the most suitable treatment, but there are other factors that come into play. These include the personality of the individual, the degree of dependence they are under, and their social background.

Treatments may be carried out as part of a residential program or as an outpatient, with residential treatment a more intense form of therapy. Other types include voluntarily outpatient treatment, where the individual will live and work under normal circumstances, but attend counseling sessions and group classes.

Types of Detox

Drug detoxification varies depending on the treatment type, but most rehab centers are similar in that they provide treatment to avoid the symptoms of physical withdrawal. Most treatments incorporate counseling and therapy during rehab to help with this process.

Traditional Detox

Traditional treatments involve a detoxification period that addicts normally find debilitating and painful. Statistics have shown that under traditional methods of detox, 85 to 90 percent of patients have suffered a relapse within a year. This prolonged method has as many supporters as it does detractors, but under the right circumstances, can prove to be fruitful.

The 12-Step Program

The 12-Step Program is a set of principles to provide guidance in recovery from addictive problems. It was originally developed for alcoholics, but also has been used successfully in drug rehab.

It involves the addict coming to terms with their addiction under the following principles:

- admitting that one cannot control one's addiction
- recognizing a greater power can give them strength
- examining past errors
- making amends for these errors
- learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior
- helping others who suffer from the same addictions

Rapid Detox

Rapid detox is a viable treatment for certain patients, particularly those suffering from addiction to heroin, prescription painkillers and opioids.

The most common is the Waismann Method, which involves cleansing the opiate receptors in the patient's brain of narcotics while the patient is under general anesthesia. The patient reportedly experiences no conscious withdrawal, and is able to return home within days, with 65% percent of patients remaining drug free after one year.

This method can be dangerous, however, and should not be entered into without discussions with experienced and trained medical professionals.

Holistic Treatment

Holistic treatment attempts to address the root causes of an individual's addiction. It can also provide addicts with the opportunity to learn new job and life skills they can use to prevent relapse.

Narconon

For individuals with severe drug addictions, a long term inpatient drug rehab program may be most suitable. The Narconon New Life Detoxification Program is unique in that it boasts a 76% success rate.

The Narconon treatment generally lasts around 2 to 5 months, and does not use psychiatric medications as part of its philosophy, but instead eliminates accumulated drug residuals from the patient's body through a natural regimen of exercise, vitamins and sauna.

Whatever the treatment decided upon, for any drug rehab to work the core of the program must involve the individual. Only a combination of detox with therapy in whatever form, can boost an addict's self-belief to the point they feel they can, and want to, integrate back into society within a drug-free lifestyle