Ready to get clean and reclaim your life? Whether you or someone you love has been suffering from an addiction to alcohol, narcotics, prescription drugs, or any other type of substance, we can help you find the best possible solution to reach a full recovery. Browse our collection of videos to find insightful information on detox and withdrawal treatments, rehabilitation centers, counseling and support groups, and relapse prevention.
Am I An Addict or Alcoholic?
Am I an Addict? How to tell if you have an addiction.
Are You an Alcoholic? by The Kavinoky Law Firm
Consumption of alcohol has grown into a social norm across many cultures. But how can you tell when your drinking has crossed the line from moderate or social use to excessive problem drinking? Unlike alcoholics, individuals who abuse alcohol, even consistently, are still capable of managing their intake and behavior. However, this type of alcohol use is still considered dangerous and self-destructive.
Common signs that you or someone you love may have a drinking problem:
- Having to consume greater amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects.
- Frequently “blacking out” while drinking.
- Spending a large majority of time drinking or thinking about it.
- Loss of interest in activities and hobbies that were once important.
- Consuming alcohol in order to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression.
- Continuing to drink even though it may be causing problems in other areas of your life (i.e. work, school, relationships)
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms after stopping use.
For further information on alcohol addiction, visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Staging an Intervention
How to Do an Alcohol Intervention
The Rose Treatment Center featured on The Doctors
One of the biggest obstacles to getting help for someone with an alcohol or substance abuse problem is their extreme sense of denial. If your friend or family member is unwilling to accept their dependence and insists that everything is under control even though his or her life is spinning out of control, it may be time to consider staging an intervention.
An intervention is a group counseling technique where friends and/or family members of an addict enlist the help of an addiction therapist to confront them about their problem in the hopes that he or she will seek professional help. The first step is finding a qualified interventionist that can help you plan out your intervention and guide you through the process. You can start by visiting a local drug or alcohol treatment center in your city and ask if they offer interventionist services, or by contacting National Intervention Referral at (800) 399-3612 to set up a consultation. You will then assemble a group of three to six individuals who are important to your loved one (i.e. son, mother, sister, best friend, colleague, etc.). Each person will come up with an ultimatum. On the day of the intervention, one of the group members will bring the addict to the intervention location. At this point, each person will present the addicted person with their concerns and ultimatum, imploring the individual to enter a program of care for their addiction. At the end of the intervention, it is ultimately up to the addict to decide whether he or she wants to enter a rehab program, or deal with the potential loss of his family and friends. For further information, visit the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence or the National Intervention for Drugs and Alcohol.
Drug Rehab and Addiction Treatment
Drug Rehab – Promotional video from The Recovery Place chronicling one man’s rehabilitation.
Sometimes willpower alone is not enough make a complete recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction. It’s often necessary to seek medical attention from a rehabilitation facility to ensure a completely effective detoxification.
There are a variety of treatment options to consider for drug or alcohol addiction. Outpatient rehab is beneficial for people looking for a convenient and cost-effective program that can be easily incorporated into their daily routine. Outpatient care allows addicts to go through all necessary counseling sessions and treatment programs then return to the comfort of their own home and surroundings the same night. However, statistics recommend that addicts who want to make a complete recovery and achieve a sober lifestyle should be involved in a 30-day, 60-day or 90-day residential program, as they have a higher rate of success with less possibility of a relapse. Though many residential treatment centers can be on the costly side, there are many inpatient alcohol and drug rehab facilities that are completely supported by state or city tax dollars and charge no fees. Check with your local Department of Health and Human Services to find more information on clinics in your area.
After Care and Extended Care
Post Rehab Aftercare at Alcohol Treatment Center
Extended care programs for drug and alcohol addiction typically begin after a recovering addict completes a treatment program at an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation facility. This type of program is specifically designed to help the individual maintain an addiction-free life and offers a variety of continued treatment options such as sponsor support groups, private therapy, life coaching, and sober living concepts.
Sober Living
Drug and Alcohol Treatment – Aftercare Sober Living For Women
Often times, it takes more than an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation center to achieve sobriety. After completing a treatment program, many recovering addicts choose to reside in sober living environments such as halfway houses and recovery homes. In these settings, non-enabling people live in a drug-free setting where they cook, clean, and attend group therapy together on a daily basis. Male, female and co-ed sober living homes provide recovering addicts with the full spectrum of addiction recovery services and offer many different cost options ranging from affordable and low-priced to luxurious and exclusive.
Support Groups and Recovery Programs
Prescription Drug Abuse, Are Support Groups Helpful?
Reaching out for support is an important step in the recovery process. Peer support groups and recovery programs are often the best way to maintain a happy, healthy, and sober lifestyle after leaving a rehabilitation facility. Twelve-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous allow individuals recovering from an alcohol or substance addiction to gather on a weekly basis to talk out their problems with people suffering from the same addiction.
If you’re looking for a more individualized program that does not involve a twelve-step approach, addiction specialists and counselors can provide personal guidance and support in a private setting. Other options include faith-based outreach groups that provide community programs for individuals struggling with an alcohol or substance abuse and addiction, or even online chat groups, forums, and bulletin boards.