Getting treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction can be an intimidating prospect, at least initially. You may feel like you are faced with many unknowns and unanswered questions as you seek drug or alcohol rehab. First among them likely involves what drug or alcohol rehab entails and how it can help you or a loved one. If you are seeking a San Francisco Bay-Area alcohol rehab program or drug rehab program, you should consider exploring your treatment options with New Bridge Foundation®.
At New Bridge Foundation®, we work closely with our clients to demystify the process of recovery and support them through each step of the journey towards long-term sobriety. If you or a loved one is seeking alcohol and drug rehab, call 866.772.8491 to learn more about treatment at New Bridge Foundation®.
5 Characteristics of an Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program
When you are first looking into treatment, understanding the rehab process can help put your mind at ease and make recovery less intimidating. Although each program will use different processes and treatments, there are several basic commonalities that most drug or alcohol rehab centers share. These include but are not limited to:
- A detox program
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
- Education
- Aftercare
1. Detox
Whether you are pursuing alcohol rehab, drug rehab, or a combination of the two, detox might need to be a part of your recovery program. Qualified treatment centers should provide access to medically assisted detoxification, which may be the first step of your recovery process. For your recovery to begin, you will have to go through the process of removing the drugs or alcohol from your body. Detox can be a difficult and even dangerous process, as you may experience withdrawal symptoms, especially after periods of sustained substance abuse.
As a result, the detox process should be monitored by medical professionals. They can help guide you through the most difficult parts of detox and provide medication, when needed, to make the process more manageable. A detoxification that is medically monitored has a higher rate of success and generally takes anywhere from three to ten days.
2. Individual Counseling
Counseling is one of the most important components of alcohol and drug rehab. You will work one-on-one in private sessions with a counselor during individual addiction counseling. These sessions focus on helping you understand the underlying patterns, beliefs, and experiences that influence your addiction. Understanding your relationship with substances and their effects on you can be a potent path to healing. A counselor will also help you identify your unique problems and challenges that need to be addressed while you are in treatment. Together you will devise a plan that addresses goals that need to be met and helps you develop healthy vs destructive coping strategies.
3. Group Counseling
Group counseling is the modality of choice, in addiction treatment, in part because it surrounds you with other clients who understand what you are going through. Group counseling gives you the chance to receive and provide unique perspectives on recovery. The opportunity to offer and receive guidance from other clients, fosters long-standing bonds of support and empathy. Some of the types of group counseling offered might include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- 12-step facilitation
- Stress Management
4. Education
To heal from addiction, it is important to first understand it. Rehab offers a variety of educational opportunities which can help you and your family better understand the effects drug or alcohol use has had on you. This can help put your experience into better perspective and help you process the complicated thoughts and feelings that surround addiction. While in treatment you will receive education on a variety of topics including but not limited to; relapse prevention, how drugs and alcohol affect the body, stress management, family issues, co-occurring disorders, and 12-step concepts.
5. Aftercare
The healing process doesn’t end when you leave the drug or alcohol rehab center. Rather, you and your counselor will construct a plan for continuing care. This plan will include identifying which self-help groups you will attend, identifying triggers and a plan for dealing with triggers, sponsorship, and referrals for therapy and sober living if needed. The plan will also include placement in an aftercare group. By continuing your treatment by attending aftercare, you can remain connected with the support network you’ve built and significantly decrease the chances of relapse.
At New Bridge Foundation®, we offer free aftercare for life.
Begin Treatment at New Bridge Foundation®’s Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center Today
Alcohol and drug rehab is only the first step in recovery, but it is often an essential one. Fortunately, New Bridge Foundation® has a long record of quality care, including our ranking as one of America’s “Best Addiction Treatment Centers” by Newsweek magazine for two consecutive years (2020, 2021). We offer all the services explored in this piece, as well as specialized programs including LGBTQ+ affirming care and a program for veterans and active-duty military personnel all at an affordable cost. Whatever your addiction treatment needs, New Bridge Foundation® has the experience and qualified professional staff to meet them. Learn more by calling 866.772.8491 or filling out our online contact form.
