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Aftercare and Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation Centers, 12 Step Programs, Therapy


Rapid Drug Detox Center is committed to your success and we cannot emphasize enough, the importance of aftercare. Some patients feel that 30 or 60 day rehabilitation centers would be of great benefit after the anesthesia detox treatment. Others find the 12 step program helpful and with this setting, can continue attending meetings for years if they would like. We feel it is important to also seek therapy in your own hometown because this is where you are, where your family is, this is where your familiar ground is, where your stress issues may be and this is where you will have to be strong and learn to say “no” when temptation and stress arises. Regular visits to a therapist in your area are more conducive and convenient and can be an on-going treatment without having to devote a lot of time away from home and work, etc. Therapists cannot prescribe medications and we feel it is good to try and remain drug free and work on more healthy ways to cope with stress, anxiety, etc. The attitude that “a pill” is needed for everything is possibly what got the person where they are today.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-CBT


It is best to find a therapist that is skilled and certified in CBT. You can visit the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists website, specifically the CBT REFERRALS section to find a therapist in your area. CBT is a brief psychotherapeutic approach that hopes to change troubling behavior and dysfunctional emotions and cognitions through a 12-20 week goal oriented treatment. Relapse prevention may require more sessions and can be an enjoyable experience for most. The sessions start with formulating a plan that the patient is actively involved in and then comes the work of assisting the patient to reorganize dysfunctional thoughts and find ways to change behavior. This is typically done with a collaborative effort from both the patient and the therapist. This dual effort approach helps the patient gain some self control and helps with negative thinking about themselves, others and their future. Typically together they talk about expected outcomes, practice the skills learned and have active role playing during sessions. Ultimately, the goal of CBT is for the patient to gain the ability to think more positively and productively and to independently address cognitions and behaviors. This will encourage the patient to go forth in the right direction by pacing themselves and their thoughts, etc. Thoughts that are automatic are not eliminated but they are understood and restructured. Patients learn to go forward in a more positive direction and to focus on learning skills to improve their behavior and responses.

It is most important to help patients become aware of their actions, be able to gain meaning from their experiences, evaluate their responses and reactions to every day life. Patients are encouraged to try new ways of reacting both cognitively and behaviorally. It is important to seek therapy from a therapist that sees events from their patient’s perspective. The therapist should be warm and sympathetic and be able to quickly establish a good rapport through genuine concern and care for the patient.

The Benefits of Working Out


Adopting a regular exercise program is an important part of addiction treatment. Not only does it improve overall health, but exercising also can cut down stress and anxiety, which may have helped provoke the addiction in the first place. Exercise also stimulates the production of endorphins; the natural opiates.

Diet


Proper nutrition is always beneficial. We encourage fresh fruits and vegetables and protein intake should increase. Include smoothies, fish, chicken, eggs and limit red meat. Probiotics/acidophilus are helpful for bowel health.

Brain Scans and Brain Chemistry Analysis


We have heard of a few centers talking about the benefit of brain scans and brain chemistry analysis. These tests really have no medical credibility and have not been accepted in the medical community as anything more than theory. If such tests could pinpoint a physiological reason for a person’s negative behavior and/or drug use it would be the biggest breakthrough in medical science in years and would readily be used as a defense in many courtrooms. For more information about this subject read our blog post "Addiction Isn't a Brain Disease". Drug use may cause a deficiency of certain chemicals that effect mood, energy, sleep, etc. but we feel that giving more drugs such as antidepressants, hormones or amphetamines is something we are not in agreement with. Use of these drugs may hinder the bodies own ability to naturally repair itself and discourage the return of normal hormone production. Once the patient is detoxed from the opiates, patients will regain former health, natural chemistries, a more stable emotional state and proper hormone levels will return.

There is no ‘magic pill’ to correct a person’s brain chemistries and all that is advised by centers that promote the controversial ‘brain scans’ are supplements. Nutritional supplements believed to help correct imbalances certainly cannot hurt and can easily be purchased at your local health food store and are listed below:

5HTP (Tryptohan): An essential amino acid-believed to relieve migraine headaches, stress, depression and insomnia.
Calcium: A mineral that may help to improve emotions, feelings of irritability and insomnia.
Magnesium: A mineral that some claim helps metabolize carbohydrates, amino acids and other minerals.
Vitamin B-Complex: B Vitamins are necessary for nerve functioning, supposedly helps develop neurotransmitters Gaba, Dopamine and Norepinephrine. May help with anxiety, depression, sadness and lack of energy.
L-Glutamine: Believed to help with fatigue, fibromyalgia, arthritis and may improve memory.
DL-Phenylalanine: May improve libido, memory and alertness. Believed to be an anti-depressant. May help replace Enkephalins which helps mood. Suppose to contribute to development of Dopamine and Norepinephrine.
L-Methionine: Believed to be necessary for the production of serotonin, dopamine, adrenalin and nor-adrenalin.
L-Glutathione: May help liver to metabolize metabolites of Methadone, etc.
Melatonin: A hormone released from the pineal gland at night for sleep and is also considered an antioxidant.
GABA-Gamma-Aminobutyric: An amino acid that may have a calming effect and help with anxiety.


Addiction Help Guide


Finally, here are some "Words of Wisdom" from a person who recovered from addiction and has been clean for over 8 years: Addiction Help Guide (pdf)