Drug rehab is a process of mental or medical treatment for dependence on dangerous psychoactive substances like illegal street drugs, prescription medications, and even alcohol. Dependency in drugs includes people who are physically dependent on drug abuse, people who are socially addicted, or people who are psychologically dependent. The addiction to drugs begins with a need for some particular substance, which may be the result of a psychological disorder like anxiety, stress, depression, or boredom. Sometimes, drugs act as a drug-delivery system to provide instant relief from pain, excitement, or euphoria. However, when these substances are used for any prolonged period of time, their effects become adverse and life-threatening. For example, alcohol can cause a variety of medical conditions, including liver failure, blindness, coma, respiratory failure, stroke, and death. Psychologically, some addicts become dependent on their drugs because they feel emotionally or mentally dependent on the substance.
In most instances, the first step in the drug rehab process is a detoxification process that removes all substances from the body. During the detoxification process, withdrawal symptoms may occur that are similar to those of a drug overdose. These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, restlessness, dizziness, tremors, and chest pain. Medications used during the detoxification process reduce these symptoms to a minimum, but if they occur, they should be addressed immediately by a doctor to avoid permanent damage to the body. If drug abuse is found to be the underlying cause of these symptoms, then a rehab center will be able to help the addict find alternative treatments, such as hypnotherapy, acupuncture, or counseling. In some cases, it may be necessary for the addict to undergo surgery to remove the physical dependency of drugs. In extreme cases, the addict may require hospitalization.
The next step in drug rehab is outpatient care, where the addict is allowed to go to his or her own home for maintenance therapy sessions. This therapy helps the addict to regain self-control over his or her emotions, and it helps them overcome social embarrassment that was caused by drug abuse. Inpatient care may also be necessary if the addict is still dependent on drugs and has not yet recovered from the detoxification process. It may be necessary to allow the addict to be in a clinic for a month or longer for continued therapy sessions.
