It can be hard to determine an alcohol or drug addict from someone who just likes to use frequently. According to Narcotics Anonymous, an addict is a person whose life is controlled by drugs or alcohol. A person may have an addiction if he or she has stopped attending events or performing activities they used to enjoy. An addict is also a person whose priorities have slipped away and the most important thing in their life is to use alcohol or drugs. Family members or friends may also notice a personality change in someone who has become addicted to drugs and alcohol. A drug and alcohol rehab center may need to be considered for someone who is believed to be an addict.
A person who has an addiction to drugs or alcohol will always have to live with that addiction. However, completing the program at a drug and alcohol rehab center shows the addict how to cope with normal life without wanting to use. The program can also aid addicts in stopping the pattern of addictive behavior and focusing back on the activities in life they enjoy most. A person who is able to admit that he or she is addicted to drugs or alcohol may have a higher success rate at a rehab facility than a person who is still in denial of the problem.
An addict who has admitted to not being able to control his or her life and needing outside help to restore well-being will more than likely benefit from attending a drug and alcohol rehab center. A rehab center that provides an inpatient facility with both group and individual therapy sessions is considered the best type of center for addictive patients. Most rehab centers also provide their attendees with an addiction specialist. This specialist can explain the addiction and how it mentally and physically affects the patient. The addiction specialist can also make suggestions and a life plan to help the patient not return to their old ways after exiting the drug and alcohol rehab center.
According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, alcohol and drug addiction is America’s number one problem. Addiction is often a trait that is passed on from generation to generation. In America, more than half of all adults have a family history that includes a drinking problem or alcoholism. If family members of an addict are also addicted to drugs or alcohol and have not received help, it is more likely that the addict himself will also not try to receive help. If he or she does attend a rehab facility and comes back to family members who still abuse alcohol or drugs, there is a larger chance of a relapse for the recovering addict. The choice to attend a drug and alcohol rehab center should be made by the addict. It is important for the addict to want to change his or her lifestyle and should also have a great support system in line for when he or she returns home.