Research has shown that over 6.2% of the US population as of 2014 use drugs without a doctor’s prescription. This should amount to about 18 million people below and above 12 years of age. Prescription drug rehabilitation isn’t the easiest, it requires rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is the professional restoration of a settled sober life through therapy. Restoring from addiction to drug abuse. 

Prescription drug abuse is quite rampant, more than we imagine, and continues to be on the rise. What’s most people aren’t aware of is, the misuse of these drugs without medical instruction often ends in abuse. 33% of people that ignored prescriptions of drugs in high school somehow became addicts later in their lives. 

Addiction to drugs, however, isn’t the easiest to get rid of. Most of the time when people become, they find it hard to admit their lack of control over how they use drugs. Even when these drugs are taking a tow on them, most of them would argue they still have control over how they use the drugs, some don’t even agree to abuse of the drug. 

Even when addicts choose to not live in denial, it takes more than consistency and the willingness to stop. This is because drug addiction isn’t just a habit, it’s a sickness. Therapy, however, helps in treatment. 

Most people tend to feel nervous before going to rehab. Although there is no single route to therapize anyone. But most processes can still be categorized into four stages.

The Intake Stage 

This is the point of assessment and questioning. These assessments are done to be able to relate to such a person’s story and the addiction journey. Also to Identify where it stemmed from and to recognize where a possible relapse could come from. These assessments could be in form of medical tests, questions that help perceive the psychological state of such a person, and also assessment of the psychosocial part of such a person. These questions focus more on the drug use history of such individuals, family addiction history, and also the financial arrangements to fund the rehab. 

These help in making a detailed and unique plan for rehab that guides the effectiveness of the rest of the processes. 

The Detoxifying Stage 

Detoxifying is flushing out these abused substances from the body. Some withdrawal symptoms during detox could be quite uncomfortable sometimes even dangerous. Because of this, medical tests are carried out to predict the withdrawal symptoms as they differ from the drug abuse. These tests also help decide which detox method will be best for such a person. 

Research has shown that about 80% percent of detox is done with drugs which may lead to withdrawal symptoms. This may not be suitable for many people and so other safe detox ways are being carved out. In the year 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) legalized an electronic device, NSS-2 Bridge, used in reducing withdrawal symptoms after detox.  

After detox, an addict hasn’t been treated. If an addict is allowed to live a rehab just after the detox stage, that addict remains an addict. Just one who has had the formerly used substances flushed out. 

The Rehabilitation Stage 

This is the most important part. Every other stage sets this stage in motion, on the right path, or helps avoid relapse. The real treatment and the therapy start in the rehabilitation stage. 

There are several ways to therapize an addict. So many, as they are unique to every addict. However, there are some prominent ways which would be discussed here:

Cognitive behavior therapy:

This therapy focuses more on “the inside births what you see on the outside” cognitive behavior therapy pays more attention to your story, and more specifically, your mind. The therapy is more focused on using your mind to help you get better. From the story of how the journey of a prescribed drug became an addiction, it’s easy to pick out the root cause and then deal with it.

 Now, this addiction isn’t going to be solved by just putting in typical structures like every other habit. Because drug abuse addiction is a sickness. Instead, it will be treated using several professional measures for dealing with addictions, just that this will be more focused on the mind and the root cause of the addiction. 

Holistic therapy:

This therapy deals with every part of a person.  The body, mind, and the spirit. Holistic therapists believe that healing should be from every part of life. That it takes the totality of a person being treated to treat an addiction. A person going through holistic therapy gets to participate in exercises that heal emotionally, mentally, psychologically,  physically, socially, and even spiritually. 

They participate in exercises like yoga sessions, art sessions, music classes, massage therapies, acupuncture, spa treatments, eating a balanced diet. 

Inpatient Rehabilitation: 

Inpatient rehabilitation is the type where people are treated in a hospital or treatment facility. It is usually advisable that people get their rehabilitation in a treatment facility far away from home. 

It will help them stay far away from home and every trigger. It is best for patients that are over-dependent on the drug they abuse. That way they get adequate attention and supervision from their therapist.  Since they are in the same building with their therapists It’s easier for their therapy plans to be changed according to how they progress.

Outpatient Rehabilitation: 

Outpatient Rehabilitation is one where the patients do not stay permanently in the treatment facility. They come for treatment and go back to their residence after their treatment appointments. 

The difference between an Outpatient and an inpatient is that an Outpatient doesn’t stay in the facility like an inpatient and can always go back to family members. An inpatient however will be secluded throughout the rehabilitation process. An Outpatient rehab program will be cheaper than an inpatient rehab program due to the absence of accommodation fees. 

Aftercare Stage 

At this stage, the major rehabilitation has been completed. The bulk of the aftercare stage is putting measures in place to avoid relapse and preparing them for the world outside. There are measures put in place to keep every patient accountable and be sure they stay sober.  At this stage, the recovery processes will keep going on. In fact, recovery processes last for a lifetime. 

As an addict, being in control of drug use seems like a long walk to freedom but it really isn’t as long as it seems.