When the shocking truth hits that their child has substance abuse problems, most parents immediately look for solutions in the form of a drug addiction rehabilitation center. And while any center bearing such a name may imply that the center has the means and know-how to help your child handle their substance abuse problems, the truth is that not all facilities are created equal, and not all facilities may have what it will take to help your child.
While there are many things that drug addiction rehabilitation centers have in common, there are also many things that make them different and allow parents choices to help ensure the best fit for their child. Some facilities may use substitute drugs to try and handle addiction, but for some individuals this perpetuates substance dependence and addiction rather than resolving it. Some facilities may provide patient counseling that focuses attention on past drug abuse, but doesn’t give the patient sufficient tools to move on into a drug-free future. Some facilities have an outpatient program that may not effectively remove the individual from the environment that is causing them to turn to drug use, while others are residential rehabilitation facilities with around-the-clock care.
So what should a parent look for in a drug treatment program?
1. State licensing and accreditation
Many facilities look promising on the internet, but if they are not properly licensed and accredited by the state, they may not be providing professional treatment services by trained professionals. Treatment by unlicensed facilities may be both unproven and dangerous.
2. Facility success statistics
A facility’s promises may vary widely from actual statistics of success. Since some facilities may “improve upon” the truth, it is better to seek out independent studies on the facility’s success rate.
3. Effective address of emotional, mental or physical problems that caused the drug abuse
Treating a child who has been bitten by sharks and then releasing them back into shark-infested waters seems quite obviously ludicrous. The truth is that having a child withdraw from drugs but not having them address the emotional, mental or physical reasons that caused them to use drugs in the first place is just like releasing them back into shark-infested waters. They do not know how to avoid or deal with the problems that are still sitting there.
4. Addressing your child’s specific needs
While less expensive, outpatient treatment may not effectively resolve your child’s substance abuse problems if they have been addicted to cocaine, heroin or ecstasy for some time. On the opposite end, residential rehabilitation treatment may not be necessary for your child if their substance abuse is limited to binge drinking on the weekends.
5. Successful after-care program
After-care should include follow-up visits or consultations with a treatment specialist who can help address and resolve any questions, concerns or difficulties your child may encounter following program graduation.
6. Parent support
As much as your child needs care and support during rehabilitation treatment, you also need to receive sufficient support. Drug withdrawal is far from easy, and when your child complains to you that the treatment is too hard, isn’t working, or they are utterly miserable, coaching you receive from treatment center staff can help you persist with your child through the full treatment plan.
7. Length of treatment
There are some rehabilitation facilities that have week-long or month-long programs, but according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a program of ninety days or longer is more likely to fully and successfully address the physical and mental causes and effects of drug use.
8. Handling drug cravings
Even after your child has withdrawn from drug use, they may still experience drug cravings that can cause a relapse in the future. Drug detox programs that are designed to reduce or eliminate drug cravings can help prevent this from occurring.
9. Logical program components
A facility that promises a wild, unusual cure for your child’s substance abuse problems may seem too good to be true, and often is. It is important to fully understand each component of the rehabilitation program, and see how the phases of treatment can help your child eliminate drug use from their life.
10. Delivering the results you want
If you want to find a program that will help your child withdraw and detox from drugs, take responsibility for the reasons they used drugs in the first place and learn valuable tools in integrity and personal respect that will aide them in living a drug-free life, look for a facility that has a program with these important parts to it.
Parents’ Success with Narconon treatment program
Two Oklahoma parents recently shared their son’s success with Narconon Arrowhead’s drug rehabilitation treatment program. At 32 years old their son had been addicted to drugs for ten years, despite many and repeated efforts to stop his drug use. He did manage to stay sober for six months following a thirty-day treatment program, but he eventually returned to drugs, becoming addicted to methamphetamine and eventually losing his job and home. His mom Linda said, “The heart breaking truth was that the kind, Christian, fun-loving son that we had raised was no longer the same person on meth. I cannot tell you how many nights I cried and prayed, all the while trying to keep it our ‘family secret’, because I no longer wanted to go to the gym, or spend time with our friends. I just went to work and went home. I told my husband that in my mind I was preparing myself for our son’s funeral.”
Despite wanting to keep her son’s drug problems a secret, Linda knew that she had to do something to try and help him. Her son was now a drug dealer himself, selling meth on the streets to others. Linda and her husband met with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and their county District Attorney in the hopes that they would have him arrested, but were disappointed when they were given no advice about what to do.
Linda came across Narconon Arrowhead when searching on the internet for successful drug rehabilitation facilities. She spoke with a counselor who worked with her and her husband for five weeks to help them enroll their son in the treatment program at Narconon. To their relief, he agreed to go.
Linda’s son went through the same difficulties that most addicts face with any treatment program. For the first few weeks, he made it clear that he was only participating in the program for her and that he did not actually want to be there. Linda insisted that he “make it work” and left him to it, and within a few months was rewarded for her efforts when she felt that she was getting her “old son” back. He eventually decided that it was important he continue the program for himself, and he began to pray for his own and his roommate’s recovery. He eventually successfully completed the program and stayed at Narconon Arrowhead to undergo comprehensive training so that he can work with others to help them overcome their addiction. “I hear quite often, ‘Thanks Mom, for saving my life.’ I guarantee you that is from his heart,” Linda said.
Narconon Arrowhead has helped over 10,000 people overcome substance abuse since its inception 22 years ago. The program is a holistic residential rehabilitation program that successfully helps individuals with substance abuse problems ranging from alcoholism to addiction to heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and more. Independent research indicates that Narconon graduates have a 70% success rate of going on to live drug-free lives. Linda’s son’s story proves that parents can help their children fight and beat substance abuse with the right treatment program and facility.
Sources:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/10/prweb11223897.htm
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/choosing_alcohol_rehab_treatment.htm