There is a common question asked by those considering drug and/ or alcohol rehab: which is more effective, inpatient drug treatment or outpatient drug treatment? The answer is one that is subjective. The type of treatment that will be most effective for you will vary based on a number of things. However, there is also some research that has been done that sheds some light on what, in general, works in terms of longevity of effect in treatment. In other words, there are statistics on who stays clean and sober longer: those who attend inpatient drug treatment or those who attend outpatient drug treatment.

First Things First

There are no guarantees with medical treatment. The best you’ll get in terms of guarantees as far as medical effectiveness for any treatment is 99.9%. For chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and drug addiction, the numbers are far less encouraging. But the fact remains that medical treatment is the only chance at recovery and this is undisputed.

Also, remember that there are exceptions to every rule. Certain drugs of addiction lend themselves to a longer, more intense treatment while others may not require as intense attention. Also, a readiness to adopt a clean and sober lifestyle choices is of huge importance when it comes to outcome of treatment. Though research has shown that a desire to enter treatment does not necessarily have a direct effect on outcome, if a desire to change is present, then the scales begin to tilt a bit in favor of longer sobriety with fewer incidents of relapse.

Lastly, there’s no such thing as a magic pill when it comes to drug addiction treatment. Drugs of addiction affect us on too many levels for there to be some quick, neat solution to wrap it all up in a neat package in a finite period. Rather, drug addiction is a lifelong disease and as such requires a lifelong solution. Drug rehab is the first step.

After the Disclaimers

Now that we’ve cleared up any misconceptions that simply signing up for a certain program will or won’t change your life, let’s look at the research on the effectiveness of short-term drug addiction treatment versus long-term drug addiction treatment:

Studies show that the longer you spend in treatment, the longer you will remain sober when you return home and the shorter the relapse if and when you use your drug of choice again. In an effort to balance cost effectiveness with outcome, drug rehabs across the country are now offering the option of longer treatment.

Additionally, those who undergo residential inpatient drug addiction treatment tend to fare better than those who opt instead for outpatient day treatment programs. It’s a simple investment of time and focus: the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it. The more ready you are to make real and lasting change in your life, the more likely that your recovery will last when you return home.

If you have questions about whether inpatient or outpatient treatment, long-term or short-term rehab is right for you, contact The Canyon today.

The drug addiction recovery process can feel like a long haul. Lots of work, but it might seem like you are only making baby steps of progress. This can get frustrating, making you wonder if the whole drug rehab and recovery efforts are even worth your time.

You and Drugs Vs Emotion

The battle that wages inside is you vs emotion. Only one can win, and you choose to defeat the emotions every time they up. Unfortunately, that’s also the problem. Humanity and emotions go together; they are inseparable. Just as black and white thinking is too extreme for a healthy lifestyle, a win/lose approach with emotion is also too extreme. By trying to win you will actually lose. The more palatable goal is coexistence.

It takes a lot to shift this way of thinking. When you agree to go to drug rehab, it can seem like you are losing, giving up, giving in. This can be painful in and of itself, making you want to reach out yet again to drugs and alcohol to comfort you. But learning to endure difficult emotions and embrace unfamiliar but positive things is what drug rehab is all about.

Will You Choose Continued Drug Addiction or Drug Rehab

When you are tired enough, overwhelmed enough, broken down enough, then the long haul of recovery can be the choice you would rather endure. Though drug rehab may be tough, living any longer with an active drug addiction would be worse. The peace and work of drug rehab may at once be frightening and relieving. Hard to face, but worth the price for a longer healthier life.

But don’t you give up some things when you go to drug rehab? Yes, you do. Here’s a list of some things you would surely give up if you went to drug rehabfocused on recovery. Excuses, a lifestyle focused on your selfish side, the ability to blame others for your problems, relationships that are not in your best interests, being blindsided by problems that could be avoided or caught early, unemployment due to your actions, drugrelated jail time, possibly living in squalor, dying from a drug overdose.

Drug Rehab Experience You Didn’t Expect

Of course, your opinion is your opinion. If drug rehab didn’t seem worth the effort, then post your comments here. Maybe you didn’t have a good fit, or perhaps there were important issues that didn’t get fully addressed. Keep in mind that a fair number of people end up going through drug rehab more than once. Were you really ready to go and face the changes?

If you didn’t have the drug rehab experience you expected, it’s worth another look. No drug rehab is perfect, but it’s challenging even under the best of circumstances. Whether you are considering drug treatment for the first time or the fourth time, it’s just one part of your long journey with a drug or alcohol addiction.

This is a continuation of a post from a few days ago about the A&E program called Intervention. It’s a dramatic show about real drug and alcohol addicts trying their hardest to feel nothing, to be in control, to simple cope with immense pain the only way they know how. And their family fights to get them to drug rehab.

Drug Addicts Family Members Have Part In Drug Addiction Patterns

During the intervention of the young woman, her parents both admitted what they did and stated pretty clearly what they would now be doing to provide boundaries. Dad said she wasn’t allowed on the property and wouldn’t be giving her any money. He had been providing this because he thought it was better than not knowing where she was. However, he realized that he was allowing her to continue with no natural consequences.

Mom was the main person to talk to her about jail. Her younger sister brought it up, and Mom continued to explain it to her. She had moved far away from the dad, but was here for the intervention. No one had called the police before because they had just hoped the young woman would get better on her own.

Her sister checked in and brought her food at times, only to be greeted with hostility and confrontation. The younger sister’s reactions included bitter words and physical fights. Though this became an outlet for the younger sister’s pain, it only continued to give the young woman emotional fuel to stand her ground against any form of drug treatment.

Drug Addicts Who Havent Hit Bottom Not Likely To Try Drug Treatment

The young woman responded to the family members’ comments several times during intervention part of the show. In her opinion, she was a god/angel and she had already reached highs that her family would never be able to. She said she felt sorry for them, and she had already saved herself long ago. Of course, she is giving a great deal of positive credit to her addiction for “saving” her (from emotional pain), and giving her enlightenment (from meth-induced hallucinations).

She had no reason to give up her addiction because she hadn’t hit bottom, hadn’t found it too be more painful than living without it. With two parents caught up in their own emotional bubbles and a world of temptations, she found her own way and was fiercely protective of it. To this young, her addiction was her salvation. No drug rehab for her.

Drug Addiction Is A Family Illness

The interventionist made it clear to the family that it was all their illness, not just the drug addicts. As the show unfolded, it became more clear how each person played their part. And to their credit, each person that was highlighted seemed to accept that.

They all agreed to go to weekly support groups and change their behaviors. The show had no time to follow up on all that, but the interventionist said repeatedly that the family’s behavior had to be different. At one point, the young woman even said, “Why are you all being so weird? This isn’t you.” So if for only a short while, even she knew that something was changing.

Drug Rehab Intervention Show Leaves Questions Unanswered

The images and feelings from that show have left a strong impression on me, and I noticed that the show was made in 2005. Makes me wonder in the last four years what has become of this young woman, if she ever gave drug rehab another try, if she continues to do drugs, or a worse outcome.

If you thought prescription drug abuse and addiction was bad in the united States, imagine how bad it is in war-torn parts of the world where prescription painkillers are only as far as the black market and corrupt pharmacies.

Increased Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction in Iraq

According to the New York Times, Iraqi soldiers work in 12-hour shifts patrolling the streets of Baghdad. For some soldiers, the only way to make it through their stressful job is to take a couple prescription painkillers and take the edge off. Says one soldier, “For me, it helps me to get the job done. It makes me happy and high, but I still can control myself.”

Doctors and health professionals say that prescription drug abuse and addiction has increased markedly in Iraq since 2003. Government regulations are lax, government officials are focused on other things and with the high-stress, literally explosive environment, it’s no wonder that Iraqi citizens and soldiers are feeling pulled to prescription painkillers in higher and higher numbers.

Who’s Abusing Prescription Drugs in Iraq?

Like the United States, you’ll find people addicted to prescription drugs in every social circle. From prisons to the police officers and soldiers on patrol to residents of poor neighborhoods to the unemployed across social circles, prescription drug abuse is a problem. However, it is the use of prescription painkillers by police and soldiers that is most alarming. Both are extremely stressful occupations, but with the power they wield and the weaponry besides, prescription painkillers can only make a bad situation worse.

What is the Prescription Drug of Choice Among Soldiers in Iraq?

Artane. A medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease, it offers a euphoric high in large doses. According to the New York Times article, doctors are not allowed to speak publicly about the problem, but one said about the soldiers view of Artane:

“They believe that this Artane allows them to become courageous, to become brave. They take it so that there is no anxiety, no fear, so they can break down doors and enter houses with no shame.”

What is the Evidence That Iraqi Soldiers are Addicted Prescription Drugs?

It’s a hard thing to quantify beyond the admission of anonymous medical professionals and prescription drug users themselves that it is happening. But as far as statistics and scientific research, there is none. There’s nothing beyond anecdotal evidence that discusses how the prescription painkillers directly affect how the soldiers do their jobs. There are also no solid numbers on how widespread is the drug addiction and abuse, which drugs besides Artane are used most often, or how often the soldiers who use prescription drugs are indulging.

One soldier estimates that one of three soldiers in his unit take prescription drugs while on duty. A police offer estimates that about 30 percent of officers he works with do the same. A manager of a local drug addiction program says that prescription drug addiction has now surpassed alcoholism in sheer numbers and scope but says, “after the American invasion of Iraq, alcohol became limited because of the security situation and religious restraints.” Now, he said, “the long duties, the suicide attacks and the killing are all factors that drive the security forces members toward Artane and other drugs.” He also pointed out that prescription drug abuse and addiction is no worse among soldiers and police officers than it is in the rest of the population, albeit slightly more disturbing because of their position of power.

Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment

Attempts at enforcing prescription drug restrictions are intermittent, but there are some facilities available in the region. Thankfully, if you live in the United States, you have a number of options in prescription drug rehab. If you would like to learn more about the different types of prescription drug addiction treatment available, contact The Canyon.

Late last night, I watched a show called Intervention on the A&E Network. I have to say, it’s sad and fascinating all at once to see a person’s descent into drug addiction and first attempt at drug rehab summarized in one tidy hour. But these stories are anything but tidy. One impression came through strongly – the drug addiction illness belongs to the whole family unit, not just the addict. I know that from my professional training and experience, but seeing it like this makes it all the more clear.

Real Pain of Drug Addiction Spreads Through Family

The people on this show are real, not portrayed by actors. Everything captured is what has really happened during the time they have agreed to be filmed. And near the end, the show offers a few simple updates over long periods of time. I caught the last five minutes of one show and watched a full second show. Sadly, both relapsed only a handful of weeks after their stint at drug rehab. Though this is not uncommon, it was saddening to have seen the family really pull together to make drug rehab happen for their loved one.

The show didn’t have film of the relapse time, and you are left to imagine the pain and worry the family has gone through with a relapse. One man became homeless and continued to do heroin. Another woman was kicked out of a family property before drug rehab, eventually moving in with friends and doing drugs after going to drug rehab and jail. Again, it’s not uncommon for people to relapse when getting treatment for hard drugs like heroin and meth. Somehow, seeing it unfold in a TV show made the difficulty of the intervention and drug rehab process so clear.

Before Drug Rehab Before Addiction Each Person Was Different

Each key person was given some time to describe the addict in younger years and during times when things were better. I watched the entire show of a 24 year old woman. Her parents described her as loving, giving, energetic, and great in so many ways. Then they would show a picture of a half-naked, disorganized, disheveled woman living in a trashed out house talking nonsense while high on meth. I began thinking, “Where does it happen? How could this girl go from young and healthy to addicted and bewildered?”

Finally, the source of her emotional pain became more evident. Her parents’ marriage had broken apart, they divorced, and the parents moved many miles apart from each other. Also, it seemed that when this young woman lived at each of her parents’ homes, for some reason, neither parent paid much close attention to her whereabouts and social connections.

By age 14 she had tried meth and became quickly addicted. This is just a mere snapshot of her deep situation, but even her parents admitted that they really didn’t know what she was doing and the pain from the divorce was a big part of her addiction. A fourteen year old with immense emotional pain, distance from a father she dearly loved, and few boundaries – it is not so surprising that she found comfort in the form of a drug.

So Much To Say About Drug Rehab Intervention

As per usual, I’ve found I have more to say than I have room for at one time. In the next post from me, I’ll go through the family dynamics that contribute to an addiction. If only the whole family could go to drug rehab at one time….

Talladega has been struggling with drug addiction for over a decade now. And, thanks to the drug addiction problem, they’ve been struggling with the drug trade and crime as well. In an effort to make changes and turn the economy around, Talladega officials created the Talladega County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force to fight back, helping their citizens and those addicted to drugs and alcohol as well.

Fighting Drug Addiction

Unfortunately, fighting drug addiction is no cheap business and the Talladega County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force is not only fighting drug addiction and crime, but budget cuts as well. Jason Murray commands the task force. He says, “We were cut on our federal appropriation by $60,000, which hurt. We’ll probably be $15,000 to $20,000 in the red by the end of year, but we’ll be getting some federal money and we were recently able to sell some seized property. We’ll get a donation from the track, and although Childersburg hasn’t donated anything to us since 2003/2004, they may come back this year.”

And with limited funds and an overworked staff, which part of the problem of drug addiction do you tackle first? The crystal meth labs? The cocaine trafficking? The break-ins and robberies associated with drug abuse and addiction? Illegal prescription pill use? Underage drinking and drug use?

Crystal Meth Addiction

In Alabama, crystal meth addiction and crystal meth labs are a huge problem.

“Our fiscal year started Oct. 1,” Murray says. “Since then, we have found 45 meth labs that we’ve actually been able to make cases on, plus six or eight more that are basically just dump sites where we can’t prove who the stuff belongs to. But I’ve had to pull them off the meth cases here lately to deal with people distributing crack cocaine and marijuana. You spend too much time over there, everything else runs rampant.”

Cocaine Addiction

After meth, cocaine and marijuana are the number two and number three drugs of addiction in Talladega county, respectively. Murray says, “Although we’re kind of in a cocaine drought right now, prices are just skyrocketing. You used to be able get about $18,000 for a key (kilogram, or 2.2 pounds) of cocaine. New you’re seeing prices of $27,000, $28,000 per key. That’s a big jump.”

Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drug abuse and addiction is another huge problem in Talladega, among young and old alike. Says Murray, “Pharmaceuticals are found in every household, and most kids know where they are and how to get to them. We’ve seen kids in the schools handing out their parents’ prescriptions like they were candy. We’ve got other people that start off using prescription pain killers legitimately, but can’t get off of them, so they either have to start forging prescriptions or buying them on the street. We made a pretty significant bust about a month ago on a woman who was buying up 80 milligram OxyContin prescriptions from here to Georgia, which has slowed things down some, but they will always find another way. We’ve had a few documented overdoses recently, too.”

Fighting Drug Addiction at Drug Rehab

If you are struggling with crystal meth addiction, prescription drug addiction, cocaine addiction, marijuana addiction or alcoholism, you can get help at The Canyon. Contact us for more information.

You have been to drug rehab, outpatient drug and mental health treatment, and support groups. But some days life still seems so hard. Your old security blanket, your drug of choice, seems so tempting when the depression or anxiety overwhelms you. You definitely don’t want to go back to the drugs, but you don’t know how to function some days. Here’s a thought you can take with you to get you going again.

Mental Illness Symptoms Can Shut You Down

Anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses can be paralyzing. The symptoms can seem to come at you from out of nowhere, even if you’ve been in remission for some time. You can’t describe how it happened, but at some point you realize your mental illness has its grips on you once again.

When you get back into that black and white way of thinking, it can be really hard to get something positive going.

It’s not going to be right, so what’s the point?
I could never get it all done anyway.
That’s just way too much for me right now.
I couldn’t stay well, so I really am worthless – there’s really no hope for anything to get better.
I deserve to be this way because I slipped and took a drink a while ago.

And you also have such emotional over-sensitivity, it’s like you’ve plugged into an overcharge outlet filled with emotional intensity. When something triggers you to become upset, the emotion and thoughts swirl around and become all-consuming.

You Can Still Make A Difference

OK – take a deep breath for a moment. Try to focus on just one thing for now. Tiny steps at a time are all you need to do right now. The mentally ill part of your mind will tell you to not bother doing anything because it’s not worth it, it won’t be done right anyway, it won’t matter, it won’t help, etc. This is perfectionism. This will lock you down and keep you inactive for who knows how long.

Instead, just say to yourself something like “One small step is all I need”. You do not need to clean every surface in the kitchen all at once or pick up every stick in the yard in one shot. Small steps with breaks in between – that will make a difference and it won’t overtax your resources.

Just because you cannot realistically do everything does not mean there is no value in doing “something”. *Some* time spent picking up the living room is better than *no* time doing it. In fact, it isn’t really about exactly how much you do at all. You can make a difference even if it is small. You can develop confidence in your ability to keep on living during your low moments.

Skills Learned In Drug Rehab Can Help You Moment By Moment

Drug rehab and even outpatient drug and alcohol treatment can be very helpful for keeping your sobriety in check. But really, it’s what you do from moment to moment that makes the difference. The drug treatment counselors don’t go home with you. The support group members are not following you 24 hours a day.

In the end, a skill like “one small step at a time” will help you when you need to count on yourself. And just knowing you have the tools to help yourself can make all the difference when you feel those symptoms creeping up behind you. You can make a difference for yourself.