Understanding How Drug Rehab Works in Connecticut

Connecticut, despite its relatively small size, is a diverse state with beaches, nature walks, and areas located in proximity to Manhattan. Regardless of where in the state you live, however, you may be struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction. In fact, the rate of drug usage in Connecticut has been reported as slightly higher than the national average. Understanding the importance of rehab and how a program might work can encourage you to seek help.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Abusing drugs or alcohol can have serious effects on both your physical and mental health. The specific type of drug that you’re abusing will determine the possible effects. Some possible consequences include damage to your organs and teeth. Heroin, for example, is one of the most commonly used drugs in Connecticut, and this powerful drug can come with many consequences, including muscle aches, intense cravings, and death.

In terms of mental health, drug abuse can lead to issues such as depression and anxiety. Also, you might be trying to assuage your mental health issues by consuming alcohol or using drugs. In the long term, however, this approach can actually lead to more severe mental health problems.

Understanding Withdrawal

What Withdrawal Is

When your body is used to the consumption of alcohol or the usage of drugs, you can experience severe cravings when you stop using the substance. The symptoms of withdrawal can vary, particularly depending upon what type of drug you were using and how long you were using it. A milder symptom could be an intense craving for a drug. In other cases, you might have aches, chills, pain in the body, paranoia, and other severe symptoms. The serious effects of withdrawal can sometimes cause people to fall back into the pattern of drug and alcohol use.

Why Choose Medically Supervised Withdrawal

The thought of going through withdrawal should not scare you away from seeking the necessary treatment. Medically supervised withdrawal is available when you choose drug rehab in Connecticut. One benefit of medically supervised withdrawal is that professionals in the medical field are around to guide you through the withdrawal. You might be worried that you’ll experience severe physical symptoms. If you do, medical professionals can help you to stabilize. Therefore, choosing medically supervised withdrawal, as opposed to going through withdrawal by yourself, is a smarter and safer decision.

Medically supervised withdrawal provides you with emotional support as well. Feeling safe in a facility while surrounded by support is powerful. Being in a facility also limits your access to drugs and alcohol. In other words, if you feel tempted to use drugs or alcohol during your withdrawal process, you will not be able to easily access those substances.

How to Get Help

Make a Decision

The first step in getting help is acknowledging that you have a substance use issue and that you need to recover. In fact, you deserve to recover. Make a commitment to yourself to get treatment. You should also come up with a timed plan. For example, you could commit to deciding which rehab program to enroll in within the next two weeks.

Gather Support

Opening up to your loved ones about your addiction can be difficult. Having a support system around you can be motivational as you start this journey. Do keep in mind that your close relatives and friends may already suspect that you’re struggling with alcohol or drug use. Be clear in articulating that your intention is to seek help and that you want support from your loved ones.

Conduct Research

Different types of treatment for drug and alcohol use exist. Conduct research about the programs that exist in Connecticut to find the right fit. You can request brochures for more information. Another smart idea is to speak to a representative at the facility. Asking questions to an informed representative and going on a tour of the facility are two ways to know which rehab center is the best place for you.

Why Go to Rehab

Professional Guidance

You might think that you have the ability to quit using drugs and alcohol independently. Keep in mind all of the struggles that you may encounter along the way. In addition to experiencing physical withdrawal, you may feel a mental or emotional connection to drugs and alcohol. Being under the supervision of a professional allows you to receive expert guidance if you experience problems. In other words, instead of guessing how to cope with withdrawal and related situations, a professional can provide you with strategies and tools for effectively managing this part of your journey.

Dedicated Time for Recovery

Whether you are raising children, employed at a busy job, or taking classes to complete your degree, all of these activities can distract you from your goal of recovering from addiction. While having regular at-home routines can assist in recovery, you also need to have time dedicated solely to yourself. Enrolling in a rehab program gives you that crucial time. Regardless of whether you choose inpatient or outpatient drug rehab in Connecticut, you will have a space dedicated solely to your recovery.

A Structured Approach

Combatting a drug or alcohol addiction requires structure. The specialists at the treatment center can teach you about healthy routines to work into your day. For example, starting each morning with a wholesome breakfast and a walk outside could act as a distraction from using drugs or alcohol. The rehab facility will also offer structured programs. If you choose an inpatient program, you will participate in activities at set times on a regular basis. Having this structure can help you to know what to expect and to feel in control of the situation.

Individual Care

Another benefit of going to rehab is that you’ll have individualized care. You will work with specialists at the rehab to determine a program that is right for you. Professionals in this field recognize that no two individuals have the exact same needs.

Identification of Triggers

One way in which the rehab program will help you in an individual fashion is through the identification of triggers. Figuring out what your triggers are and learning how to manage those triggers are two important parts of rehab. You might also uncover situations from your past that have led to the development of triggers. While you might be unable to permanently avoid all of your triggers, you can develop strategies for successfully approaching such circumstances.

Support System

Going to rehab means that you’ll have a team of caring professionals around you to guide and assist you on this journey. Furthermore, you can develop a community with the other clients at the facility. Forming bonds and friendships with people who understand what you’re going through can be a critical part of your recovery. When you are finished with the rehab program, you can continue to be a member of a support community with these individuals.

Healthier Life

Going to rehab allows you the opportunity for a healthier life in many ways. In addition to learning how to manage your drug or alcohol addiction, you can also gain skills to treat your body better in general. You can feel a boost in your mental and emotional health too. Another benefit is that your time in treatment can teach you how to have stronger relationships with people. In fact, you may learn ways to heal relationships that have been hurt by your addiction.

Learning About Yourself

When you’re in rehab, you are likely to learn about yourself. You can begin to identify the reasons why you have used drugs and alcohol. Further, the staff members are going to teach you about strategies for managing addiction. In putting those strategies to use, you can learn about hobbies and interests of your own. You can leave rehab with a real passion for life and all of the opportunities that stand before you.

Types of Rehab Programs

Rehab programs take different approaches when it comes to alcohol and drug addiction. Understanding some of the various programs available can help you to determine which one is the best fit. Keep in mind that speaking with a counselor is also an important part of deciding which program to enroll in.

Inpatient Treatment

One common type of treatment for drug and alcohol addiction is inpatient treatment. With an inpatient program, you will live at the facility for a specified period of time. Both short-term and long-term inpatient programs are available, so you can work with a counselor to come up with a suitable plan.

Some people are hesitant about inpatient treatment because they do not want to temporarily move away from their homes. It’s important to recognize that going to an inpatient program means that you’ll be able to focus entirely on your recovery.

Another benefit of an inpatient program is that you don’t necessarily need to live in Connecticut to enroll. In fact, going to a program in a different state or in a part of the state other than where you live can work well. Being in a new setting can provide you with the motivation to overcome your addiction.

Outpatient Treatment

Another possibility is outpatient treatment. Some clients attend inpatient treatment and then continue their recoveries with outpatient treatment, so you might decide to pursue this path. You could also enroll in an outpatient program without ever having been in an inpatient program. This option could be a good idea if you are unable to leave your current home for a period of time. Outpatient treatment still allows you to share your experiences with an understanding community and to get professional guidance.

Faith-Based Treatment

Some treatment programs are based on a particular faith. For example, you will find that some rehab centers are guided by the principles of a specific religion or denomination of religion. Certain prayers might be a part of the daily schedule.

Other rehab centers do infuse elements of religion and spirituality but in a more general way. In other words, you may not be required to participate in any specific religious practices, but the facility will guide some of the programs with spirituality. You may be asked to draw strength from faith in a higher power. Keep in mind that some programs do not incorporate religion or spirituality at all. Whether you want a religious, spiritual, or secular program, you can find the right fit.

Other Specific Programs

In other cases, treatment programs will use specific methods to guide their recovery practices. Art therapy is an example of an approach that a treatment center might employ. In such a situation, art therapy might be a guiding principle of the facility or the practices of this discipline may be used from time to time. Other rehab centers might place an emphasis on the importance of exercise for recovery or the ways in which time spent in nature can heal the body and the soul.

When you’re researching programs, you can ask representatives about guiding principles that the facility employs. You can also find out what the daily schedule is like. Doing so should give you a sense of what activities you might engage in as you heal. In fact, if you have particular interests, such as athletics or the arts, you can look for treatment centers that include activities related to these fields.

The fact that you’re looking into rehab for your drug or alcohol addiction is already a proud accomplishment. You’ve taken the first step toward a better life. The next step is to start looking into specific treatment centers and to write down any questions or concerns that you may have. Then, speak with a representative at the facility in which you’re interested to learn more about the program and to feel empowered to enroll.