A Gay Drug Rehab Component in a Heterosexual Drug Rehab: The Best Of Both Worlds

Treatment Aspects of Inpatient Drug Rehab

Generally speaking, a drug rehab or alcohol rehab is best described as an inpatient addiction treatment facility specializing in the treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism and dual disorders. Most of the individuals that attend drug rehab go through detox initially, to be followed by the inpatient drug rehab portion of treatment which is clinically driven. Historically, everyone with a variety of disorders or sexual preferences are treated together and expected to adapt. I feel this philosophy is flawed and the expectation placed on patients might be unrealistic. In far too many cases, the issues patients bring into drug rehab or alcohol rehab far exceed their initial ability to just "fit in". This is especially true with gay drug addiction and issues such as; internalized homophobia, coming out, gay relationships and a host of others.

Is a Completely Gay Drug Rehab Best

As advances have been made in the area of gay addiction treatment and gay drug rehab, two distinct philosophies seem to have been adopted. The first is a drug rehab or alcohol rehab which is totally focused on treating the gay, lesbian population. This gay drug rehab only admits gays to addiction treatment. While this might prove beneficial for some segment of the gay population, it might not be realistic for others. Addiction treatment or drug rehab should resemble the real world and an entirely gay drug rehab is not the real world. It is not what the the recovering gay person will face after they are discharged from their gay drug rehab. They will be discharged into a predominantly heterosexual world and all the challenges associated with dealing with heterosexual prejudice, discrimination, homophobia etc.

The Benefits of a Gay Drug Rehab Component

The other philosophy of providing addiction treatment for the gay population in a drug or alcohol rehab lies in developing an gay addiction treatment component within the drug rehab. This provides the gay addict or alcoholic with group settings specific to their population allowing them a safer place to discuss intimate issues they are not yet ready to discuss with a heterosexual. On the other hand, they will still be encouraged to participate in more generalized clinical activities with the rest of the drug rehab community. This drug rehab design allows for the gay person a "safe space" where they will not feel judged and at the same time allow them to practice what they have learned in their groups. To take things a step further, it will also allow the heterosexual to practice recovery skills such as acceptance, unconditional love and honesty.

If you are looking to locate a quality gay drug rehab, gay alcohol rehab or addiction treatment program with a gay drug rehab component, you can go to http://www.recoveryconnection.org or call their national helpline 1-800-511-9225

Jonathan Huttner is a principal in Lakeview Health Systems, a drug rehab which specializes in the treament of drug addiction, alcoholism and dual diagnosis.

Punishment or Rehab For Drug Addicts?

Addiction is a compulsive craving for drugs, which is uncontrollable and leads an individual to the point of doing anything, whether it is stealing, committing murder or whatever it takes to be able to access drugs.

These drug cravings push people to do things they would not normally do. Their life becomes focused on how to get the drugs and how to keep their drug supply continually replenished. All types of crimes are committed by people simply trying to get drugs.

Residential property theft is high due to drug addiction. The addict will steal anything they can, such as TV sets, microwaves, VCRs, anything that can be turned into quick money in order to buy their drugs. They even resort to stealing from family and friends. Drugs are expensive to buy, so it takes a constant flow of cash to supply their addiction.

The argument goes on as to whether drug addiction is an illness or a crime and whether addicts should be punished or treatment given them to rehabilitate. Since 1914, after the Harrison Act was passed through Congress making it illegal to buy drugs, drug abuse has not slowed down, only risen to the point where there are more addicts today than ever before. In addition, there have been several other laws passed both on the federal, state and local level making drugs illegal, but laws have not deterred drug usage.

Mandatory prison sentences have been implemented to cover first time offenders and also any who offend for the second, third time or more. It was felt that by having tougher penalties in place for offenders this would deter the drug problem, but the stringent laws have not worked, as drug usage continues to escalate.

Federal prisons have around two million inmates with a large percentage of this number convicted of drug abuse crimes. These prisons are already overcrowded, so imprisoning drug addicts only adds to the population count. If all drug offenders were imprisoned, as there are many who are called recreational drug users and these people usually are never arrested, the cost to the country would be astronomical. The estimated cost of putting one drug offender in prison is around $450,000. That figure includes the arrest, cost of the trial and cost to house an inmate. If that $450,000 were used for rehabilitation costs, about 200 people could receive treatment.

By treating drug addiction as an illness and requiring the individual to undergo treatment, this would save society from those who are released from prison, who go back to the streets and resume their former life of abusing drugs and committing crimes. This system only creates a danger for other citizens who are subjected to being victims of their crimes.

The argument for rehabilitation over punishment does show good merit and possibly needs to be seriously considered. It is estimated that approximately 20% of drug addicts in prison could be rehabilitated positively through proper treatment.

At the same time, though, any addict who does commit a serious crime should be imprisoned to receive punishment for that crime. No one is advocating anyone should 'skate free', after committing a serious crime.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Addictions

Rehab Centres

Choosing drug addiction Rehabilitation is a positive step adopted by addicts in reclaiming their normal life. Choosing the right Rehab Center is crucial in the path to recovery.

There are many Rehabilitation Centers available in the country. But the motivation and program of each may be different. Any one center may offer different kinds of programs. If you are on the lookout for a Rehab Center you have to weigh factors like your level of need, severity of addiction, quality of care and aftercare, and also cost of care and expenses

Various types of Rehab programs exist and four of these are as follows:

Free Standing Inpatient Drug Rehabilitation Program - has effective short-term inpatient programs.

Drug Rehabilitation in hospital-based Rehabilitation Unit - suitable to those who have a severe mental or physical disability. The quality depends on the Rehab unit or the hospital.

Drug Rehabilitation in Hospital Detoxification Unit- where the most dangerous part of withdrawal from alcohol or detoxification under medical monitoring takes place. Increasingly, detox programs are being done on an outpatient basis.

Long-term Residential Drug Rehab program ?These are suited to those patients, especially youth, who have a tendency to relapse after short-term treatment.

Detox is the first stage. It is the process of getting the leftover residues of the drug out of the body. It is designed to help with the physical pain of withdrawal. There are two kinds of detox programs- medical detox and physical detox. Medical detox helps to wean the patient away from the drugs. and physical detox helps in the physical recovery from the effects of residues of the drug.

The key to Rehab is to remember that drug addiction has some insidious causes, like unhappiness, hopelessness or physical pain. Rehab must be sought before the addict destroys his life step by step. The family has the responsibly to contact Rehab Centers and cooperate with Rehab programs.

In Rehab, relapse is a major problem. 75%-90% of all drug abusers will relapse within one year of release from a treatment facility. Drug relapse is heartbreaking for the family. Some Rehab Centers offer ?peace of mind? programs. It is long-term effective care, which treats the bio-physical cravings and underlying emotional causes of addiction. A 3-5 month program followed by a 4-6 month follow up is generally recommended for severe addiction.

Peace of mind programs readmit those patients who had left the facility after successfully completing the Rehab program, but are now facing relapse. They have to pay only for room and board.

Long-term aftercare also comes with the option of ?work exchanges? for those who want long-term after-care. In this, after the patient has successfully finished his first Rehab program, he stays back in the facility for another six months as a helper for other Rehab patients in exchange for room, board, a small salary and aftercare.

There are many centers for drug Rehab. Some are genuine, but some may not look after your best interests and will be running on ulterior motives. They may make false claims and promises to dupe you. Hence, you must make wide enquiries, careful examinations and thorough checks before deciding on your Rehab Center.

Alcohol Rehab provides detailed information on rehab, alcohol rehab, cardiac rehab, drug rehab and more. Alcohol Rehab is affiliated with Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers

Objective Of Alcohol Rehabilitation Program

The main objective of alcohol rehabilitation programs is to free you from the bondage of alcoholism. These programs help you to discover newer ways to live without alcohol.

Different alcohol rehabilitation centers are offering various types of alcohol rehabilitation programs to treat alcoholism. Here is some information that may help you for selecting the right alcohol rehabilitation program.

Consult a good alcohol rehabilitation center for finding a suitable alcohol rehabilitation program. Doctors and alcohol rehabilitation specialists will study your case and conduct certain tests on you to find out a suitable program for you.

Every individual has a unique history to alcoholism. Hence, the rehabilitation program must be tailor-made to suit your case.

Generally, the alcohol rehabilitation programs include services such as hospitalization, medication, diet, exercise, counseling, sauna, spiritual therapy, hypnosis, amino acids and community activity.

Depending upon your case, doctors will recommend the services that need to be included in the rehabilitation programs designed for you.

The doctors would advice you to join either the "outpatient treatment program" or the "residential inpatient treatment program" depending on your intensity of alcohol dependency. Here are some details about both the options.

Outpatient Alcohol Rehabilitation Program

If you do not have a long history of alcoholism, an outpatient rehabilitation/ treatment program might be the correct option. You might need counseling and guidance as a part of your treatment.

Outpatient alcohol rehab program is a suitable option treatment of alcoholism at its early stage. This program is recommended for those individuals, whose occupational and family environments are intact and for those who demonstrate a high degree of commitment to quit alcohol.

This program provides adequate support service for your day-to-day life.

Residential/ Inpatient Alcohol Rehabilitation Program

If you have experienced a long period of alcoholism, doctors might recommend you for a residential or inpatient alcohol rehabilitation program. The inpatient treatment program provides 24-hour support and it is highly effective.

This treatment is not just confined to amelioration of symptoms. Rather this variant of alcohol rehab focuses on addressing and resolving the factors that contribute to alcoholism. Under the inpatient alcohol rehabilitation program besides medication, you will participate in educational lectures.

Counseling based treatment will be given to you on personal basis as well as in small group settings. Some of the inpatient alcohol rehabilitation programs also include additional activities such as yoga and spiritual methods of recovery.

The alcohol rehabilitation program also includes several support services even after abstinence is achieved. This ensures a perfect recovery and prevents a possible relapse. This includes promoting religious involvement, imbibing good health practices, proper diet, exercise, sleep therapy, and self-enhancement projects. Discover valuable advice and information about alcohol rehab - its effectiveness, and where to get treatment Website contains valuable articles and information about the widespread alcohol addiction problem.http://www.alcohol-rehab-success.com/alcohol-rehab-program.html

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