If you have a chemical dependency, you may have decided to receive treatment for your addiction. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind as you select a provider to treat your condition.

Inpatient Facilities May Offer Fewer Temptations

Inpatient treatment facilities allow a chemically dependent patient to live onsite as they receive treatment. Because the patient is removed from the routine of their normal life, treatment may be easier, and there may be fewer opportunities to consume drugs or alcohol.

Often, stress or other triggers that occur in a patient's life lead to the use of a chemical substance. In a treatment facility, the environment around the patient is controlled, and many stresses are eliminated. Additionally, enablers who provide drugs or alcohol to the patient may be unable to make contact with the dependent individual, reducing their access to the substance.

Although the patient does not remain in the inpatient facility forever, they are there long enough to allow the removal of the addictive substances from their system.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment May Be Needed

Many people who have a chemical addiction also suffer from some type of mental illness, such as depression, bipolar disorder, general anxiety, or schizophrenia. Since a mental disorder may feed the need to self-medicate, a provider that can treat the chemical dependency and the mental condition simultaneously through dual diagnosis treatment may be preferred.

If the addiction is treated and the mental illness is left unaddressed, the patient may be more likely to resume the chemical abuse after completing the treatment. Patients who are depressed or who have other mental health issues may restart their chemical abuse to try to alleviate the discomfort of their mental disorder.

Dual diagnosis treatment uses non-addictive medications to help lessen withdrawal symptoms as the chemical substances are eliminated from the body. Additionally, this treatment encourages proper diet and exercise to promote the patient's overall wellbeing. Dual diagnosis treatment also employs psychotherapy to uncover and address underlying psychological issues that may affect the patient's mental health. In some instances, group sessions involving the patient's loved ones may be needed.

Long-Term Treatment May Be Necessary

Even after the patient's initial treatment, ongoing or long-term therapy may be required. People often take time to heal from chemical dependencies, and they may require additional medical support as they encounter stresses and other triggers upon returning to their everyday life.

For more information about drug and alcohol treatment in your area, schedule a consultation with a local physician.

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