Why Should I Go To Drug Rehab?

Drug addiction can be a confusing affliction, and it is something that has affected millions of Americans over the years. Drug rehab is a very important step for understanding what drug addiction is and how it affects you and those around you. Today, drug abuse is seen as a disease, and rightly so. Because excessive drug use targets the brain in ways that encourage compulsive use, a person may find that becoming sober is impossible to do on their own. Also, many people who suffer from a chemical dependence or physical drug addiction are suffering from a psychological addiction as well. In addition to their compulsive drug use, many addicts discover that they are also afflicted with another co-occuring diagnosis. This is generally referred to as dual diagnosis.

In order to understand drug addiction, one must accept that it is a disease and not a personal choice. It is a common misconception that those who are addicted to drugs are addicted because that is their lifestyle. Although it is often true that the initial taking of a drug is a person's choice, the end result is never a way someone would choose to live. So, why would a person be living that way, doing the things they are doing, if it is not by choice? Because chemical dependence begins to form. Addictive drugs interact with a person's brain in such a way as to encourage the constant and continual use. The drug attaches to or mimics the natural receptors in a brain cell, causing it to change in an unnatural way. With this change is an overwhelmingly pleasurable feeling (the high that accompanies addictive substances), which signals to your brain that doing drugs is a good thing when, in fact, it is quite the opposite. Going to a rehab center will help you learn about this process, and help you to find healthy ways to deal with the drug cravings that will ensue because of these mixed brain signals.

Often times, drug addiction is co-occuring with another disease such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Dual diagnosis is very commonly overlooked when dealing with a drug addiction on one's own. This is because you may not realize that you have an additional and different problem. Drugs tend to mask the symptoms of another disorder, or vice versa. For example, you may be afflicted with both anxiety and an addiction. Because of the anxiety, you are always on edge, and with alcohol in your system, you can feel courageous and bold. However, this is process of self-medicating is very unhealthy. By using drugs to self-medicate for another disease, you are merely worsening your overall situation. In a specialized treatment center, this problem can be completely assessed, and you can be treated in your entirety – not just for your substance abuse issue.

You may be thinking, “Well, what is drug rehab and what can it honestly do for me that I haven't already tried?” Rehabilitation is extremely important in drug treatment of any kind. You will be astonished at the quality of the help and the expertise of the physicians and therapists who you will work with. Drug abuse is one of the most difficult problems to face, especially alone. At a drug treatment center, you don't have to go it alone. Not only is the staff there to help you, but your peers are there to provide support as well. They are all going through similar situations like yours. Don't wait to get the help you need – get your life back on track!