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Drug Rehab Information

Drug rehabilitation facilities are available to help individuals overcome their substance abuse or addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in 2007, 2.4 millions Americans age 12 years and older received treatment for an alcohol or drug problem at a specialty center.

  1. Detoxification

    • Drug rehab often includes detoxification---the process of ridding the body of the drug it has become dependent on.

    Medicationand Therapy

    • Medication is used during detoxification to help suppress withdrawal symptoms and ease cravings. Drug rehab also generally includes behavioral therapy, which focuses on finding the cause of addiction and changing the patient's attitude toward it.

    Residential Care

    • Residential care involves residing at a treatment facility for 30 to 90 days; intensive care is generally administered. Therapeutic communities---a form of residential care---are effective for individuals with severe drug problems; length of stay is 6 to 12 months.

    Selecting One

    • When selecting a drug rehab facility, the individual should ensure the program is accredited, get a tour of the center, ask if detoxification is included, avoid programs that offer speedy results and quick residency, and consider the cost.

    Rehab Locator

    • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supports many publicly funded rehab facilities.

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