The First Step At An Addiction Treatment Center

When you give your system the opportunity to evacuate itself of the poisons that are the by-products created when your body metabolizes alcohol and drugs, it is referred to as detoxification (AKA detox).  This is almost always the initial step in an alcohol and drug treatment program at an addiction treatment center.  The method your body gets rid of the toxins produced during drug or alcohol abuse can include breathing, urine, and sweating.  So drinking lots of fluid, especially those with electrolytes, is important during the detoxification process.

The detox process should be completed at an addiction treatment center where trained addiction specialists can keep track of the person undergoing the detox.  Residential addiction treatment centers are considered to be a cost effective and successful method to pursuing drug and alcohol detox, and they are almost always much more comfortable than a hospital setting.  In spite of the fact it is not in a hospital setting, detox at a residential addiction treatment center usually includes prescription detox medications.  The residential addiction treatment center staff will take care of the patients in detox by frequently checking their vital signs and dispensing detox medications at the prescribed doses and intervals. 

The detox process should be followed up by further alcohol and drug treatment at the addiction treatment center if the addict is expected to have the best chance for long term sobriety.  One-on-one counseling with an addiction specialist and group therapy with other addicts are common practices at almost all residential addiction treatment centers.

It is critical that the addict's desire for seeking help at a residential addiction treatment center is in the right place.  If the addict is only looking fo aid as a result of outside pressure, then their chances of success at long-term sobriety will be minimized.  Experience has shown that an addict must have reached such a low level in their addiction that their level of internal despair is motivating them to make the necessary changes in their life and look for the services of a residential addiction treatment center. The timing of going to an addiction treatment center is critical as well.  If the addict can make it through the drug or alcohol detox at the addiction treatment center and then not forget how miserable their life was when they were drinking or using, they will be motivated enough to pursue further treatment at the addiction treatment center and their opportunity for long-term sobriety is almost always improved.