It is a major life decision for you or a loved one to enter a rehab program for drug or alcohol addiction. Most people have many questions about the process and often wonder what happens in rehab, what should you expect, and how does rehab work. A client will receive different care depending on the program and therapy chosen, but most rehabs follow a similar treatment structure. But even though there are many similarities in treatment protocols, each rehab will be unique in a number of aspects. 

Here are some of the more common standard treatment protocols used by most centers:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Individual Counseling Exercise Therapy
• 12 Step Model Group Therapy
• Mindfulness Techniques

An addiction rehab program functions by providing structure for the recovering addict or alcoholic. The individually tailored plan that is formulated for each client works within this structure to allow the addict to focus on learning new skills that will help to keep them clean and sober.

Most rehab programs will also use some of the following techniques as well:

• Relapse planning
• Coping skills
• Stress management skills
• Handling relapse triggers
• Responding to slips
• Time management
• Dealing with negative emotions
• Living with enablers
• Managing a family dynamic
• Healthy vs. Unhealthy relationships
• Daily living skills (money management, housing, legal assistance, etc.)
• Spirituality
• Stress management and life balance
• Nutrition
• Fitness, exercise, and health

You can make more informed decisions if you or your loved one has a good idea of what to expect in rehab. Decisions like choosing whether to attend an inpatient an outpatient treatment program.

A more comprehensive understanding of what happens in rehab, how it works, and what to expect can help you or your loved one choose a treatment model that works for your individual circumstances.

Beginnings Treatment Centers addiction treatment centers are located in beautiful and sunny Southern California in Orange County, which has one of the strongest and most active recovery communities in the United States. If you or a loved one is currently experiencing a problem with addiction, please Contact Beginnings Treatment Centers Now.

The Painkiller that Killed Prince

On April 21, 2016, Prince Rogers Nelson, singer, songwriter and cultural icon, was discovered to have overdosed in his Paisley Park studio. 6 days before this, Prince nearly died from percocet overdose, a painkiller opioid addiction that prince struggled with for years after suffering from hip problems. Initially it was assumed percocet was the cause of death. Following the autopsy, the true culprit was identified, Fentanyl. An even more powerful painkiller.

What is the Definition of an Addict?

This seems like a simple question, an addict is someone who has a condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity. But what is addiction? According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction is defined as a primary chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry.

How do I get treatment for my opiate addiction?

The first step is to recognize that you need help and ask for it. Support groups, like Narcotics Anonymous, are available as well as a wide variety of medications used to treat the symptoms of withdrawal. For instance, Clonidine is used to help reduce the symptoms acquired within the first 24 hours of withdrawal. Buprenorphine or Suboxone is a drug that both eases withdrawal symptoms and detoxifies the body against opiates. Being a mild opiate itself, it is commonly used to treat patients withdrawing from more addictive drugs like Oxycontin and Heroin. Methadone, which is still a powerful opiate, is used for long-term detoxification administered by clinics and is slowly reduced to help addicts quit over an extended period.

What are opiates?

Opiates mimic substances that occur naturally in our brain called endorphins, helping to decrease anxiety and depression as well as reducing pain in minor injuries, such as paper cuts and bruises. Opiates are also responsible for you not noticing you have a cut until you look directly at it. However, stronger opiates are needed for bigger injuries such as surgery or broken bones. Some opiates are as follows:

Oxycontin (oxycodone)
Vicodin (hydrocodone/acetaminophen)
Dilaudid (hydromorphone)
Morphine
Methadone
    This opiate is also used to treat withdrawal symptoms as it is easy to manage the doses for addicts who are unable to “quit cold turkey” without disastrous, even deadly, outcomes.
    Unfortunately, while used to treat addiction, without careful monitoring methadone, it may become addictive as well.
Codeine
Heroin
    While not clinically prescribed and highly illegal, most opiate addicts who use the painkillers as mentioned above may eventually move on to heroin as a cheaper, more efficient alternative.

How does opiate addiction happen?

Typically an addiction to opiates begins when a you take the medication for pain relief, over a certain amount of time you may need to up the dosage to get the same effect. The time it takes to become addicted varies with each person so there is no way to tell how long or how much it can take for someone to become an opiate addict. Most people aren’t even aware they have become addicted until they finish treatment and are either taken off the drug by their doctors or have run out.

What happens if you quit using opiates?

If you’re addicted to opiates, whether you are aware or not, and stop using you will experience symptoms within the first 24 hours that can be mistaken as the flu. For those who do not know they are addicted, these symptoms will not make them crave the drugs. Otherwise, you may go in search of more.

What symptoms should you expect when experiencing withdrawal?

In the first 24 hours:
Muscle aches
Restlessness
Anxiety
Lacrimation (eyes tearing up)
Runny nose
Excessive sweating (hot and cold)
Insomnia
Yawning often
Agitation

After the first day:
Diarrhea
Abdominal cramping
Goosebumps
Nausea
Vomiting
Dilated pupils (which may cause blurry vision)
Rapid heartbeat
High blood pressure

While these symptoms will improve within the first 72 hours to a week, some symptoms are known as “post-acute withdrawal symptoms” may be present afterwards. These symptoms will come and go for days at a time over a period of up to two years, former addicts who are not prepared for the longevity of these symptoms may be at risk for relapse. These post-acute withdrawal symptoms are as follows:

Mood swings
Anxiety
Irritability
Disturbed sleep
Low enthusiasm
Tiredness
Inconsistent energy and concentration

The most important thing to remember is that treatment is ongoing and not an easy thing, but pushing through and getting help is important.