Lafayette, LA

It's always important to work with a facility that has been fully accredited to provide alcohol and drug treatment programs. Every drug and alcohol treatment facility should focus on being transparent in the care they provide. That simply means the treatment center's protocols should always meet the standards established by an accreditation organization.

Each person seeking treatment for substance abuse issues is unique and is entitled to receive the type and level of care needed to fully provide for their needs. Treatments should always include physical and emotional therapy because dealing with one or the other doesn't generally provide a successful outcome.

The most successful treatment programs, such as at Lake Wellness Center's Lafayette facility, will focus on developing a treatment plan that's designed to meet each patient's unique needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all treatment approach. What works well for one person may not be appropriate for another.

Because the first hurdle a patient will encounter is detox, clarify how the process is handled by the treatment center. Going through detox can easily be life-threatening, so it's important that medical help is readily available during the initial phase of detox. It's also important to discuss how long detox will last and what patients should expect.

It's important to understand that detox is similar for drug and alcohol users. But the actual medical issues patients face can differ to some degree, which is why it's never a good idea to attempt any type of detox without medical help being available.

Symptoms of withdrawal from drugs or alcohol first appear within a few hours after the last drink is ingested or drug is taken. The severity of symptoms will depend on the type of dependency, the length of use, and the patient's physical condition.

Anyone going through withdrawal can expect to experience cravings for drugs or alcohol, dehydration, significant muscle aches, and insomnia. Paranoia, depression, and anxiety attacks are also common during this period.

During the first stages of detox, medical issues can quickly develop, especially if the patient has other medical issues. Medical professionals monitor the patient and quickly respond to any potential problems, which reduces the threat of complications.

Within a few days, the acute physical reactions associated with withdrawal will ebb considerably. However, patients often face significant emotional problems once the acute physical issues have passed. Counseling may be needed at this point to help patients deal with their psychological problems.

The threat of relapse is very real even after a patient gets through the initial withdrawal process. That's why many people revert to using drugs or alcohol if no follow-up treatment options are available.

Drug and alcohol treatment centers encourage all patients to continue some type of aftercare well into the future. While some patients may not need extensive aftercare, the majority do. Before assuming a problem is resolved, discuss why long-term aftercare is generally recommended.

Simply jumping back into a job, education or family relationship without some type of support puts a significant amount of pressure on anyone with a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Those pressures that lead to the original dependence on drugs or alcohol haven't gone away, and it's far too easy to slip back into relying on addictive substances for comfort.

That's why a strong support system is important. Family members and those sharing your experiences provide outlets to discuss and overcome issues. Without the involvement of others who care about you, the odds of relapsing are all too great.

Long-term aftercare is designed to help recovering patients get past life's difficulties and stay sober. Care providers at Lake Wellness Center in Lafayette work with patients to design aftercare programs that make it easier for anyone to get help when the temptation to slip back into old habits is strong.

Top care providers also offer patients education about substance abuse. That makes it easier for anyone to better grasp how problems develop and what's necessary to avoid relapsing in the future. When you understand how problems develop and affect a person's need for comfort, it's easier to deal with issues that could lead to a relapse.

Again, not everyone has the same needs, and the types of addiction also dictate the educational path the experts will recommend. Always try to understand the many physical and psychological factors that make drugs and alcohol attractive.