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Drug Addiction Treatment That's Different

Many of us have some misconceptions about what goes on in a drug rehab center. Despite what we might see in the movies or read about in the celebrity gossip magazines, it's not all playing tennis, riding horses, gourmet buffets and 12-steps. The reality for most clinics is often much grittier. Detoxification is usually the first step in any program, and withdrawal symptoms can be enough for many people to give up before going any further. Drug addiction treatment facilities that offer the option of medically supervised detox often see correspondingly higher success rates. Some of the more successful addiction treatment centers have also adopted a new approach to treatment that has shown great promise as an alternative to traditional methods. By adopting holistic, faith based and even Native American approaches, patients are encouraged to undertake in self-discovery, change the way they think and repair a spirit that may have been broken by years of self-abuse. It's a different way of treating addiction than the clinical or 12-step programs that are more common, but with a proven track record for success, this an approach to drug addiction treatment that works where others fail.

Addiction Treatment Centers Should Put Patients First

As a patient advocate, it's my job to ensure that any medical facility puts the needs of its patients ahead of everything else. Regardless of whether it happens to be a dental surgery, chiropractic clinic, hospital or addiction treatment center, it's important to me that any such operation ensures that patients come first. It can be a battle sometimes. Hospitals are incredibly busy and surgeries are expensive, so there's pressure from administration to keep patients moving and discharge them as soon as possible. In some cases, this strategy is not in the patient's best interest and that's where I get involved. Another good example is drug rehabs. Some operators seem to see drug addicts as a source of recurring revenue, checking patients in and churning them out after an ineffective program, then happily readmitting them when they relapse. I often point patients toward addiction treatment centers that are run differently, those that offer more affordable open-ended stays for example, or provide financing options to help make their programs more accessible for those who need the help but don't necessarily have the means to pay for their stay up front. It's all about respect, accessibility and a determination to achieve results rather than looking at patients as a cash cow.

Testimonials from recovered addicts are a powerful motivational tool and we collect some of the most compelling stories from those who have graduated from addiction treatment centers and gone on to live a productive life. For those who want to keep track of celebrities and rehab, our media tracker tool gives you an up to date picture of who's in drug addiction recovery on any given day. With thousands of rehab clinics across the country and countless different program variations available, our database of addiction treatment options is a comprehensive online guide to finding the ideal facility based on individual needs.


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