Addiction is a disease, right?

In today’s “now” society, many of us are looking for a quick solution to a problem. Addiction is a disease, right? Isn’t there a medication that can cure it?

While it is true that medication during treatment can help reduce cravings and withdrawal, addiction recovery requires the rewiring of the brain and medication alone is not enough. Addiction is more than just physical dependence. Even after detox and physical dependence is cured, addicts are at high risk for relapse. Psychological and social factors are often powerful factors which can trigger relapse. Things such as the following can create ongoing urges to use drugs or alcohol:

People who are trapped in addiction can suffer greatly. Their obsession with alcohol and drugs can lead to the destruction of everything they hold dear. It is usually obvious that their addictive behavior is the source of the misery, but the individual may still be unwilling to change. This is because there is comfort in familiarity and change takes a great deal of courage because it is a step into the unknown. it is vital that people summon up the necessary courage to move forward.

There is no doubt that entering recovery is a courageous move. Change is never easy – even when it means that people are leaving a miserable situation for a much better one. Embracing change during recovery takes courage, because recovery is a process and not an event. Becoming sober is just the first step; there will be plenty more challenges ahead.

By some estimates, as many as 60% of people attending drug rehab programs have legal problems as a result of their drug and alcohol use. Many may actually be in court-ordered treatment – when a judge rules that a substance abuser may lack the internal motivation necessary to stop using drugs. Court-ordered treatment may be the only way to help someone to stop using and start recovery. If the substance abuser can get the help he or she needs, the thought is that the drug-related activity will decrease, or even cease to exist. One of the main goals of court ordered treatment is to get people to remain drug-free and reduce drug crimes.

Substance abusers view being forced into rehab in different ways; some fight it with everything they have just because they didn’t choose it. Others learn to embrace the opportunity early on, realizing that full participation is crucial to get the most out of the treatment program. Court-ordered treatment may be the answer they have been waiting for.

You’ve done everything you can.  And, finally, you got the result you hoped for.  

Or so you thought.

Finally see a loved one make it to -- and through -- a rehab program can bring relief to many families.  But making it to rehab is not the end to the long road to addiction recovery.  Just the contrary, many times it is just the beginning.

Let’s face it: the idea of going through rehab can be a daunting one. While deciding to enter a addiction treatment program is an crucial first step in the recovery process, too often the misconceptions and false beliefs about rehab programs can keep someone from getting the help they need. Some of the most common falsehoods about rehab are listed below – recognize any? If so, read on to gain a better understanding about how rehab works, and how it can help you or someone you love to live a life free of destructive addictions.