| year, the stress of daily life seems to grow more | | | | about past experiences increased, but counseling and |
| complicated. Cell phones constantly ring; palm-pilots | | | | self-exploration remained largely reserved to group |
| overflow with demanding schedules. Personal lives | | | | sessions. While conditions were no longer dangerous, |
| become complex and unmanageable. The self | | | | irrelevant and intimidating activities, such as the |
| becomes lost within this whirlwind of relationships, | | | | cleaning toilets, remained. Although a more humane |
| commitments and deadlines. Eventually, pressures | | | | version of the “medical model” and |
| become overbearing for both body and mind. This is | | | | group-focused “social model” exist |
| a major reason why personal health and fitness are | | | | today, they still fail to accomplish complete |
| so crucial. However, health food and personal trainers | | | | treatment. Permanent recovery is never assured. |
| are incapable of reaching deep-rooted problems. | | | | Treatment for Today: |
| Addictions are common manifestations of | | | | In 1985 New York became one of the first to |
| society’s never-ending stress. Luckily, | | | | combine addiction and mental illness into one |
| inadequate methods are things of the past. | | | | treatment. More and more instances of joined |
| Dependency issues are finally understood, and | | | | treatments appeared in the 1990s. Now in the |
| treatment is possible. A healthy life is now truly | | | | twenty-first century, although both the |
| attainable. | | | | “medical” and “social” |
| Rehabilitation of substance abuse strictly relies upon | | | | models of substance treatment still continue, so does |
| individualism. “Text book cases” and | | | | evolution. Modernized facilities provide people with |
| generalized treatments proved inadequate. Everyone | | | | unmatchable, long-lasting effects. Grounded in the |
| is an individual with a different life. Likewise, addiction | | | | most up-to-date research, progressive programs stay |
| begins and affects each person differently. Successful | | | | directly aligned with practices of good health. Past |
| treatments first address the pain of each | | | | treatments have helped some. But as the combined |
| person’s unique experiences; then, they | | | | approach of individualized and holistic methodologies |
| continue by restoring the individuality inevitably lost | | | | galvanizes the concept of rehabilitation, treatment is |
| by addiction. The desperation of feeding addiction | | | | not only more effective than ever, but everyone can |
| usually dulls a person’s unique personality and | | | | also achieve outstanding success. Taking California |
| interests. As healing takes effect, people regain the | | | | Drug and Alcohol Treatment by storm, evolution has |
| very identity that made them individuals in the first | | | | empowered rehabilitation to new frontiers. Wellness |
| place. | | | | can now thrive in all aspects of life. |
| Dramatic advancements have greatly improved | | | | Finally, rehabilitation not only recognizes, but also |
| treatment programs/centers. Today, quality | | | | places full attention on patient individuality. While |
| rehabilitation centers provide caring, individualized, and | | | | medicine and community may be utilized, programs |
| holistic treatment. However, memories of past | | | | now use a wide variety of approaches to achieve |
| rehabilitation centers and the continuation of | | | | ideal individualized treatment plans. Beginning with the |
| outdated programs deter many from a better life. | | | | process of detox, psychiatrists, |
| Incorrect treatments of the past proved not only | | | | neuropharmacologists, and nurses provide one-to-one |
| ineffective but also detrimental. An awareness of | | | | twenty-four-hour assistance. Addiction causes the |
| past programs will assist in the identification of an | | | | body to rely upon poison. Highly skilled professionals |
| ideal center. | | | | stand ready for both the effects of substance |
| Past Treatments: | | | | withdrawal and arising individual complications. As |
| For the majority of the nineteenth century addiction | | | | detox enables the body to return to normal |
| and its treatment was extremely misinterpreted. | | | | functioning, attentive individualized care makes this |
| Largely influenced by Prohibition movements and | | | | necessary time as short and painless as possible. |
| religiously fueled treatment programs, ideas of | | | | After drug detox frees the body of its dependency, |
| addiction as a moral weakness continued until the | | | | the mind is ready to start its healing journey. |
| 1970s. The first modern treatment facility was | | | | Individualized and holistic methods are critical. |
| developed in Cleveland in the late 30’s/early | | | | Programs based on team counseling offer numerous |
| 40’s. When the American Medical Association | | | | one-on-one sessions from a variety of counselors |
| called addiction a “disease” in 1955, | | | | and constantly revised personal therapy programs. As |
| the still existing “medical model” to | | | | psychotherapy and hypnotherapy enable the crucial |
| treatment developed. While “moral | | | | awareness of behaviors and repressed memories, a |
| model” advocates locked addicts away to | | | | wide variety of specialized therapies enable further |
| prevent the feared debasement of society, | | | | individualized care. Services include marriage/family, |
| proponents of the “medical model” | | | | spiritual, life purpose, nutritional, image, yoga, and |
| institutionalized people to be “cured.” | | | | music/art therapy. No longer forced to share personal |
| However, “medication” merely | | | | matters in a group setting, people also benefit from |
| numbed addiction and destroyed an | | | | this array of therapy services. With holistic programs, |
| individuals’ identity. An atmosphere of | | | | catered to the individual, treatment becomes an |
| hopelessness and intimidation permeated prison-like | | | | unquestionable reality. |
| quarters. Abusive and unsanitary conditions were | | | | Weaving all components of life into recovery, the |
| common. While these methods failed to treat | | | | complete healing of a person’s entire |
| addiction, they merely intensified the damage that | | | | existence can be achieved. During the period of |
| addiction had initiated. | | | | intensive counseling, physical attention furthers the |
| As a “social model” view of addiction | | | | simultaneous mind and body rehabilitation process. |
| developed, community-based programs slowly | | | | Physical training, massage/bodywork, and |
| appeared across the country. Medication became | | | | acupuncture treatment prove extremely effective. |
| eliminated from treatment programs. No longer | | | | While hypnotherapy also works to reduce anxiety, |
| viewed as a chemical ailment, addiction became | | | | the lulling effects of a luxurious and an outdoor |
| attributed to environmental causes. Finally factors | | | | setting rejuvenate the spirit. Eventually, this holistic |
| such as family issues and peer pressure were | | | | individualized approach reconnects the body and mind |
| brought to attention. The civil rights movement | | | | into harmonious wholeness. |
| outlawed abuse, and caring approaches developed. | | | | Finally treatment is able to eliminate the devastating |
| Since negative surroundings were believed to be the | | | | effects of alcohol and drug abuse, and the everyday |
| cause of addiction, treatment focused on providing | | | | concerns of prescription drug addition no longer have |
| positive social settings to bring counteracting effects. | | | | to remain part of daily life. The historical development |
| Programs became group focused. The actual concept | | | | of treatment has come a long way. Recovery does |
| of rehabilitation centers appeared, and out-patient | | | | not have to bring further complications or merely |
| programs developed. Nevertheless, this sole focus on | | | | touch surface issues. Treatment has the ability to |
| group therapy also proved unable to meet specific | | | | eradicate problems at their source and restore each |
| needs. The individual still became lost amidst | | | | person’s individual existence to complete |
| “treatment.” Opportunities to talk | | | | health. It is about time. |