Do You have a Substance Abuse Problem?
This is a question only you can answer, however input from a medical professional or licensed drug and alcohol counselor can prove to be invaluable. Also referred to as substance use disorder, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) refers to drug and alcohol addiction as a mental illness. According to the NIMH, “substance use disorder changes normal desires and priorities. It changes normal behaviors and interferes with the ability to work, go to school, and to have good relationships with friends and family.” There are several authoritative sources and self-tests an individual can check out to answer the question, “Do I have a substance abuse problem?” There are also a variety of options a person can go to for help.
Consult an Addiction Professional
Consulting an addiction professional is often a critical first step towards finding recovery. Addiction professionals can include a licensed drug and alcohol counselor, interventionist, psychiatrist, social worker, or psychologist Whether an individual is ready to get help for his or her addiction, an addiction counselor can help a person attain and maintain sobriety.
Take an Online Assessment
There can be a multitude of symptoms of addiction that each individual can experience when their substance use is becoming a problem. Some people may experience all these symptoms and others will be impacted by some of them. Several free and private self-assessment questionnaires are available online and can be found here. Some may experience some of these symptoms, while others will experience all of them.
Here is a list of some common symptoms experienced by addicted individuals:
- You keep taking a drug after it is no longer needed for a health problem.
- You need more and more of a substance to get the same effects.
- You cannot stop yourself from using the drug, even if you want to.
- You are still using it even though it is making bad things happen in your life, like trouble with friends, family, work, or the law.
- You spend a lot of your time thinking about the drug.
- You have a hard time giving yourself limits. You might say you will only use “so much” but then cannot stop and end up using twice that amount.
- You have lost interest in things you once liked to do.
- You have begun having trouble doing normal daily things, like cooking or working.
- You drive or do other dangerous things when you are on the drug.
- You borrow or steal money to pay for drugs.
- You hide the drug use from others.
- You are having trouble getting along with co-workers, teachers, friends, or family members. They complain more about how you act or how you have changed.
- You sleep too much or too little, compared with how you used to.
- You eat a lot more or a lot less than before.
- You look different. You may have bloodshot eyes, bad breath, shakes or tremors, frequent bloody noses, or you may have gained or lost weight.
- You go to more than one doctor to get prescriptions for the same drug or problem.
- You take prescribed medications with alcohol or other drugs.
Determine Your Addiction Treatment Goals
A variety of factors should be considered prior to deciding on where to go for treatment. It is important to find the right fit for your needs. The first step is to obtain as much information as possible regarding a facility.
Inpatient Addiction Treatment vs. Outpatient Treatment
Addiction treatment programs typically come in one of two categories — outpatient or inpatient. While both center around rehabilitation, each type offers unique features.
What is Inpatient Addiction Treatment?
Inpatient or residential rehab programs are typically focused on treating serious addictions. Stays usually range from 28 days to six months. Impatient programs are more expensive then outpatient programs but offer 24-hour emotional and medical support.
What is Outpatient Addiction Treatment?
Outpatient rehabs are part-time programs, less expensive than inpatient facilities and allow the individual to continue activities such as going to work or school. Stays are generally from three months to more than a year.
Research Various Rehabs
To make the best choice, the first step is to get as much information as you can regarding the facility.
Things to consider in choosing a Rehab:
- Does the rehab accept your insurance?
- What is the cost to you?
- Where is the rehab located?
- What is the length of program?
- Is 12-step programming a must?
- What kind of therapy is offered?
- Are there alternatives to 12-step programs?
- Are holistic approaches use?
- How is success gauged?
Which Rehab Meets Your Needs?
AToN Center in San Diego is a luxury residential treatment facility and detox that has built a high success rate in treating addiction to drugs and alcohol. AToN Center offers a luxury environment and supplementary therapies based on the need of each person. We offer Yoga, massages, pool therapy, fitness programs, delicious meals, acupuncture, massages, physical fitness, and meditation. We are truly clinically driven with many options if that is what is best for the person.
AToN Center insists on being familiar with our clients on a deep level to recognize them and what their needs are for their treatment. We evaluate each individual as to what their own beliefs are around therapy and recovery to identify the best plan to ensure that they can stay clean and sober and live a healthy, balanced, and satisfying drug and alcohol-free life.
Call Now and Get the Help You Deserve
The first step is to call and speak to our staff. We will guide you through the process to find the right help. Call us today at (888) 532-0519 and speak with one of our trained staff and see if AToN is the best fit for you and “Find Your Direction” today.
Originally posted on September 18, 2020 @ 4:30 am
