| hould drug addiction be defined? Can substance | | | | problem that requires help. However, the bigger |
| abuse recovery ever really last? As these questions | | | | problem lies with drug rehabs themselves. Too many |
| were asked in the 20th century, society provided | | | | times, their help has just not been ineffective. |
| many different answers. But does anyone even | | | | A myriad of unique, intertwined life experiences |
| know what the correct answer is? | | | | contribute to the individuality of every person. Hence, |
| For too long the very nature of drug addiction had | | | | when this reality is considered, the need for |
| been difficult to understand. Needless to say, drug | | | | individualized drug treatment becomes obvious. Many |
| rehab centers inevitably offered treatment that was | | | | times in the past, addiction treatments focused on |
| based on old historical misconceptions. As addiction | | | | the drug dependency itself. However, drug |
| programs spanned from unsuccessful to outright | | | | dependency is only the manifestation of much larger |
| abusive, it is not surprising that drug recovery often | | | | underlying problems. Rehabs must move far beyond |
| proved short-lived or futile. However, breaking | | | | mere chemical dependency counseling. Often, |
| research has finally put the constant questioning to | | | | addictions result when people inappropriately use |
| rest. Not only can substance abuse be treated, but | | | | substances to handle personal and professional |
| more importantly, it can be defeated. Yes, when | | | | hardships. When causal pains remain, substance abuse |
| drug rehabs subscribe to up-to-date information, | | | | most likely returns. Incomplete solutions solve nothing. |
| addiction treatment becomes a safe, easy, and | | | | However, drug rehab centers that make these initial |
| one-time event. | | | | problems their priority insure lasting effects. |
| Historical Background | | | | The Components of Permanent Drug Treatment |
| During the course of the evolution of drug | | | | Finally, the ingredients of lasting drug therapy are |
| rehabiliation, two problematic scenarios dominated: | | | | understood. After drug detox is complete, |
| Condemnation and institutionalization existed as an | | | | comprehensive addiction therapy is crucial. Effective |
| early approach to drug addiction. Against the | | | | programs can be separated into two core features. |
| backdrop of Prohibition, drug addiction quickly took on | | | | Through the combined efforts of individualized and |
| epithets such as “disease” and | | | | holistic methodologies, lasting sobriety is easily |
| “moral weakness.” Combining these | | | | attainable. Within the group environment of a rehab |
| two false assumptions, early drug rehabs functioned | | | | center frequent one-on-one counseling sessions are |
| as jail-like hospitals. Dim lighting ominously illuminated | | | | vital. A variety of therapists individualize therapy |
| narrow hallways. Rows of beds, sometimes made of | | | | further. As clients see a variety of counselors, team |
| mere straw, filled tiny rooms. Negligence regarding | | | | collaboration creates therapy programs, and |
| necessities, such as sanitation and nutrition, was | | | | individualized treatment becomes most effective. |
| common. The staff in these institutions often proved | | | | Comprehensive holistic treatment ensures that healing |
| to be cold, uncaring, cruel and abusive. While the | | | | extends completely throughout each person’s |
| severity of conditions did vary amongst | | | | body, mind, and spirit. With the use of a variety of |
| establishments, the main philosophy behind drug | | | | therapeutic techniques, treatment not only includes |
| treatment prevailed. Medication needed to cure the | | | | the whole person, but also works to unite these |
| disease and to cleanse the corrupted soul. Sheltering | | | | three human components together into a totality of |
| society from the “wicked” and the | | | | wellness. |
| “contaminated,” rehab centers in | | | | Embracing every aspect of human life, |
| effect functioned as dumping grounds for falsely | | | | comprehensive drug rehab programs offer addicts a |
| accused addicts. | | | | complete healing regime. As chemical dependency |
| Societal and communal recovery tackled addiction | | | | counseling specifically addresses the addiction, |
| with a completely different approach to treatment. | | | | psychotherapy and the relaxed state of |
| The Civil Rights Movement began, and more and | | | | hypnotherapy work to heal conscious and |
| more humane laws and treatment practices | | | | unconscious pain. Pulling from prior environmental |
| developed. Advances in addiction research started to | | | | addiction philosophies, family and marriage counseling |
| identify common environmental contributors (e.g., | | | | directly attends to the social relationships that |
| family problems, peer pressure, and employment | | | | contributed and were affected by the addiction. Life |
| difficulties) to drug abuse. However, as drug addiction | | | | purpose and spiritual counseling help strengthen and |
| was considered to be the product of social ills, | | | | balance the sober life ahead. Further holistic addiction |
| addiction centers began to use this line of thinking as | | | | programs may include treatments such as yoga |
| the basis for communal treatment programs. | | | | music/art therapy, image therapy, and nutritional |
| Problems in this form of treatment were harder to | | | | counseling. Most importantly, the holistic approach to |
| detect. Environmental factors do play a major role in | | | | rehab remains faithful to individualism. After |
| drug addiction, and the solidarity of community does | | | | clients’ needs are assessed, the committed |
| bring fellowship and support. Nevertheless, standard | | | | and professional rehabs are always willing to add |
| group therapy sessions still did pose a problem. With | | | | additional treatments when needed. Holistic |
| the volume of people requiring treatment, individual | | | | techniques restore body, mind, and spirit. With |
| needs were lost. Within a public setting, people often | | | | complementing individual treatment components, the |
| felt uncomfortable sharing, and deep-rooted problems | | | | recovering addict can ensure his/her unique future in |
| became further repressed. Although many did find | | | | lasting sobriety. |
| effective help in this community structure, many | | | | The twentieth century has been filled with incorrect |
| others did not. Drug addiction is not a disease; so | | | | interpretations of drug addiction. This has simply |
| general “prescriptions” lose their | | | | caused a history replete with ineffective and |
| effective power. Generic therapy is just incapable of | | | | destructive treatment programs. Nevertheless, |
| healing every individual. | | | | substance dependency is finally free of inaccurate |
| The True Identity of Drug Addiction and Lasting | | | | stigmas. Drug rehab centers have now begun to |
| Recovery | | | | recognize the true identity of drug addiction. It is |
| If drug addiction never indicates moral shortcomings | | | | another societal problem. With the appropriate |
| or a disease, then what is it? Everyone, old or young, | | | | methods of individual and holistic techniques, sobriety |
| rich or poor, and even good or bad, is susceptible to | | | | becomes more of a reality than ever. |
| substance abuse. Drug dependency is merely a | | | | |