Conventional Drug Rehab

Conventional drug rehab for opiates may either be performed on an outpatient basis, or in an inpatient residential setting. This initial and necessary detox off of the drug, although very uncomfortable, is medically supervised to diminish the pains of withdrawal, and appropriate medications are administered for symptoms relief. This detox is always best performed in a medical or rehab facility, away from the temptations to use and access to drugs.

Conventional drug rehab does not end with detox, and recovery begins once the metabolites of the drug are removed from the body. Drug rehab combines cognitive behavioral therapy, peer group therapy, drug and life skills education and private counseling to teach the addict what they need to learn to stay drug free once finished with treatment.

Aftercare continues after the completion of treatment, and recovering addicts are encouraged to retain participation in peer group therapy sessions, and with one on one counseling with a psychologist or addictions professional.

Pro's of conventional drug rehab

There are two essential advantages to drug rehab as opposed to Methadone maintenance therapy.

Firstly, because the recovering addict is forced to detox, they have ended their physical addiction to the drug, and with it greatly reduced their compulsion to use. Although the detox period is very uncomfortable, it is medically managed, and once finished; so is physical addiction

Secondly, because the priority of a conventional drug rehab program is the education, counseling and peer therapies that teach the addict to live a life free from abuse, the addict has a much better chance of avoiding all types of future drug abuse once finished with the residential drug rehab program.

Con's of conventional drug rehab

The single largest barrier to treatment is the necessity of enduring the pains of detox in a conventional drug rehab facility. Methadone drug rehab, which does not require an initial detoxification off of the opiate, requires less motivation to change.

The cost and intensity of conventional drug rehab also greatly exceed that of Methadone maintenance therapy. The price of treatment is far higher, and the severity of the addiction generally requires that recovering addicts participate in an inpatient facility for a month or more; which is a month or more away from employment and family. Methadone maintenance therapy is far less disruptive at first, but the commitment to Methadone therapy continues for years, and may continue for ever.

Heroin and pain pill addicts suffer high recidivism rates even after the participation in a drug rehab program. Drug abuse recovery is a process to health, and it may require more than one stay in a treatment facility to enable lasting change and sobriety. Methadone rehab boasts better success statistics, but as the recent San Francisco study indicates, these statistics may be inflated from the reality of poly drug abuse.