Drug and alcohol treatment is an essential social service,the rationale for which is based on the notion that every human being deserves a second chance in the game of life. When someone consumes drugs and alcohol in excess, does the punishment of incarceration necessarily fit the crime? Would it not make more sense to put the individual through the rigors of rehabilitation, rather than having that person become an unnecessary burden upon taxpayers, as we confine him or her to imprisonment? The reality is that the true victim of drug and alcohol abuse is the abuser himself or herself, having become addicted to these illicit substances.

What a drug and alcohol treatment program can offer the individual addict is an opportunity to redeem himself or herself, through the process of detoxification, re-education, counseling, and therapy. It gives you the opportunity to make amends, turn your life around for the better, and acquire and learn how to apply the skills necessary to cope with the problems and stresses in life that may have caused you to turn towards drugs and alcohol in the first place. Many people who have fallen into the trap of substance abuse ended up in this situation because they viewed the consumption of these substances as a form of escapism. The temporary “high”, that temporary feeling of euphoria that these substances bring is exactly just that: temporary. Whereas, the damaging effects to your physiology far outweigh the benefits of experiencing that “high”.

So what exactly happens as part of a typical drug and alcohol treatment program? With the stated goal being your complete rehabilitation, all of the activities conducted at a treatment center are geared toward that singular goal. And this rehabilitation can be achieved by a combination of one or more different solution options:

Private one-on-one therapy and counseling with a licensed therapist or medical practitioner who can help you overcome your problems and help to steer your thought processes toward a focus on positive enlightenment and on emancipation from your substance abuse addiction.

• Group therapy, in a typical “alcoholics anonymous” or “narcotics anonymous” setting. You congregate with other recovering addicts, share your stories, seek moral support, strength, guidance, motivation, and inspiration from one another in your quest to rehabilitate yourself from your substance abuse addiction.
• Spiritual guidance is available for those who seek to cleanse the mind and the spirit, and not just the body. It is not uncommon for rehabilitation centers to be operated by Christian organizations, who are dedicated to approaching substance abuse rehabilitation by way of inspiration through the Gospel.
• Medical supervision is also an integral part of your rehabilitation, as your body goes through the detoxification and withdrawal process. You will need trained medical staff who can help you make the transition to a life free of chemical dependency.