Recovery Begins With Drug Rehab in Ohio
When people’s alcohol or drug use begins to negatively impact their health, this is a key indication that abuse of some sort is likely taking place. If substance use impacts their ability to function in important areas of their life, such as in their family, job, or school, they may be developing a substance use disorder. There are many types of treatment available to those with substance use disorders, including residential drug rehab in Ohio.
How Do People Develop a Substance Use Disorder?
The origins of substance use disorder are unclear. A person’s susceptibility to drug use may be influenced by a number of variables, including genetics, previous drug use, social pressure, psychological trauma, mental illness, and environmental stress.
Many people who struggle with addiction also struggle with mental health issues like depression, ADHD, PTSD, and others. Low self-esteem and a frantic, stressful lifestyle are also typical among those with substance use disorders. As a result of both environmental and genetic factors, children who grow up in homes where drug use is prevalent are at a greater risk of developing substance abuse problems themselves.
Stages of Addiction
There are several degrees of drug use that might result in dependency. Generally, the most common four stages of addiction are as follows.
Stage 1
When used in an experimental setting, often in the company of peers for recreational purposes, the user may enjoy defying parents and other authority figures. Using the drug is still a pleasurable, exciting experience.
Stage 2
Regular use of drugs or alcohol is typically characterized by the following symptoms: increased absenteeism from work or school, anxiety about running out of drugs, self-medicating by using drugs to “fix” emotional distress, withdrawal from social relationships, and possibly developing new friendships with other drug users.
Stage 3
When drug use becomes problematic or dangerous, users lose interest in their lives and stop caring about things like school and work. They may also alter their behavior in more visible ways; they may become more private and suspicious in their actions; they may begin buying and selling drugs to fund their habit; they may begin using other, more dangerous drugs; and they may become involved in legal trouble.
Stage 4
At this stage, addiction occurs and makes it very difficult for users to function in daily life without drugs. It’s also likely that users will exhibit denial of the problem at hand, and their physical health will have started to deteriorate. Ultimately, users lose control over their use. People with addictions often have a higher risk of suicide, more legal and financial problems, and strained or broken relationships with people they care about.
Most Common Types of Abused Drugs in Ohio
In order to reduce the number of deaths caused by overdoses, the ODH’s Violence and Injury Prevention Section (VIPS) gathers and analyzes surveillance data to shape prevention initiatives.
VIPS data has revealed a number of interesting facts and statistics. For example, in 2007, accidental drug poisoning surpassed fatal car accidents as Ohio’s biggest cause of injury-related deaths. The data also allowed us to see that the total number of people who died in Ohio from drug overdoses climbed to 5,017 in 2020, making it the highest number ever recorded. This represented a 25% increase from 2019 levels.
The same VIPS data also indicates that in 2020 the drug overdose death rate in Ohio was highest among black non-Hispanic males, followed by white males and Asian males. Another notable conclusion from the same data shows that, in combination with other substances, fentanyl was responsible for 81% of the fatal overdoses in 2020. This figure is up from VIPs’ previous three years’ totals of 71% in 2017; 73% in 2018; and 76% in 2019.
According to the VIPS data referenced above, fentanyl was involved in 83% of all heroin overdose deaths, 80% of all cocaine overdose deaths, and 79% of all psychostimulant/methamphetamine overdose deaths. Lastly, the same VIPS data showed us that in 2020, 161 fentanyl-related overdose deaths involved carfentanil, down from 508 in 2019 and 509 in 2018.
Withdrawal Guide
According to The New England Journal of Medicine, there are significant differences in the management of withdrawal from alcohol and sedatives, opiates, and stimulants, making it important to identify the substances misused early on in the withdrawal and treatment process.
While all types of drugs have comparable early withdrawal symptoms such as depression, sleeplessness, anxiety, and hypertension, the necessary treatment needed during withdrawal might vary substantially from one client to the next based on the substances being abused. This is why it’s so important for users to be completely honest about any substance being abused as it will influence which treatment options and medications are most likely to result in withdrawal success.
For example, consider a client withdrawing from opiates. According to the National Library of Medicine, administering clonidine might conceal the early signs of alcohol or sedative withdrawal in a client going through opioid withdrawal, which can lead to seizures if the client isn’t also given medication to help gradually come off of the sedative or alcohol.
If you or someone you love suffers from a substance use disorder, it is highly recommended to visit your family doctor or a detox center. With proper medications and supervision, the withdrawal phase can become much more comfortable and safer when compared to quitting cold turkey on your own.
Symptoms of withdrawal often reach their peak 24-48 hours after starting and may persist for several days or weeks. You will likely suffer from multiple withdrawal symptoms depending on the substances you withdraw from.
Types of Treatment Available
There are multiple types of treatment available to those who wish to begin the treatment process of treating a substance use disorder.
Detox
It is during detox that clients go through withdrawal. Detox usually lasts anywhere from three to 14 days and may require hospitalization. It is almost always better to receive a medical detox rather than a non-medical one. This doesn’t mean that clients will have to take medicine or stay in the hospital during detox, but it does mean that they will get the medical care they need to get off the drugs they are abusing safely and effectively.
Medication-assisted therapy may necessitate hospitalization. Some healthcare facilities focus solely on detox services. Once clients have completed detox, the detox facility can connect them with ongoing treatment services through other treatment centers.
Outpatient
After a detox has been completed, clients can go into an outpatient treatment program. During outpatient treatment, clients will attend classes three to five times a week, with the classes focusing on the phases of addiction as well as the phases of recovery. Outpatient treatment usually occurs in a group setting but may consist of one-on-one counseling as well. This type of treatment usually lasts anywhere from one to six months.
Short-Term Inpatient Care
A short-term inpatient program is typically recommended for those who have not found success in outpatient therapy. When receiving short-term inpatient care, clients will reside at a supervised facility for one to three months. Most people aren’t allowed to work when they take part in short-term inpatient therapy, but this is not always the case.
During short-term treatment, clients will spend a lot of time in one-on-one counseling sessions as well as group therapy and various types of recreational activities.
Long-Term Residential Care
For those with severe addiction and substance use disorders, it is recommended to take part in a long-term residential program. Clients in long-term drug rehab typically stay at the treatment facility overnight or at least adhere to a strict schedule set by the facility for several months. This gives people a place to rest, rejuvenate, and study their bodies and minds in peace before returning to the outside world.
Those completing a long-term residential program can go back to places where they know how to stay safe despite the ready availability and easy access to illegal substances. There is no way for someone to acquire the necessary emotional and physical support to recover from detox and addiction without being under constant supervision in a treatment center. This benefit comes at the cost of having to spend a lot of time away from one’s normal environment and main sources of comfort and stability.
Top Reasons to Go to Long-term Residential Treatment
Separation from one’s daily life is a crucial aspect of rehabilitation. At the beginning of one’s sober journey, this may be extremely challenging. Time and space afforded by residential treatment allow clients to develop the coping mechanisms that they’ll need to avoid relapse once they’ve been freed from harmful influences.
Another major benefit from residential treatment in Ohio stems from the fact that withdrawal is a challenging part of treatment for many people. Detoxing in a controlled setting with the support of medical professionals improves the odds of a successful drug abstinence program. Detoxification is the initial phase of the recovery process, but it should not be seen as the last destination. If clients don’t try to stay sober after detox, their chances of being successful in the long run are lower.
The ability to quickly and easily access substances like alcohol and drugs is removed in a residential treatment facility, as well. Early sobriety cravings are challenging enough to handle without the constant temptation of easy access to drugs and alcohol. Having a clean, supportive community around you makes it much more likely that you will make it through the early stages of recovery.
It’s also valuable to finish a residential drug rehab because the healing process is greatly aided by the presence of both qualified professionals and individuals going through comparable experiences. The accountability that comes with living in a community also helps. Those who have never dealt with substance abuse may find it more challenging to empathize with loved ones who are battling addiction. That’s why it’s useful to have a support system of people who understand what you’re going through.
After clients complete their therapy, a reputable program will offer ongoing support to them. This may involve scheduling additional meetings or phone conversations with employees. People who have just finished residential treatment can use help from an aftercare program as they get used to their new lives.
Contact Us Today
White Light Behavioral Health, located in Columbus, Ohio is ready to assist you and your loved ones with residential drug treatment. Contact us today to learn more about our various treatment services and how you can start the road to recovery today.
