GEORGIA - Drug rehabs throughout the country are not created equally. It is important to get all the information possible when it comes to drug rehabilitation facilities and their treatment methods.
State to state, prescription abuse issues vary as do illegal drug use, alcoholism and all the different ways to self medicate. Each state is unique. Get the data. Know the facts, then choose wisely. 

March 2008, HealthDay.com published findings on Americans who self medicate. Included in the article, Of the nine of 10 adults who self-medicate a number of common conditions, many said they did so because they were familiar with how to treat their own (90 percent) or their child's illness (93 percent) due to past experience with the illnesses.

However, 76 percent said they recognized that self-medication can pose possible risks. About one in five adults who typically self-medicates said they have not used non-prescription drugs as directed, either by taking more than the recommended dose (20 percent) or be taking them more frequently than indicated (17 percent).  

DEA Facts

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that the diversion of hydrocodone and oxycodone products (such as Vicodin®) and OxyContin®) continues to be a problem in Georgia. Primary methods of diversion being reported are illegal sale and distribution by health care professionals and workers, “doctor shopping” (going to a number of doctors to obtain prescriptions for a controlled pharmaceutical), and the Internet. Xanax® and Lorcet® were also identified as being among the most commonly abused and diverted pharmaceuticals in Georgia.

The DEA also reports that marijuana, the most commonly abused drug in Georgia, is readily available throughout the state. Atlanta is a transit city for Ecstasy (MDMA) to other U.S. cities. MDMA, GHB, and Ketamine continue to be popular and remain readily available around populations of young people (gyms, college campuses and associated “hang outs”) throughout the state. LSD is usually encountered at school settings and is imported to Georgia mostly from the West Coast via U.S. Postal Service packages or commercial express mail. Methamphetamine continued a five-year trend as Atlanta’s fastest growing drug problem. Heroin availability remains stable throughout Atlanta metropolitan area. Cocaine and crack cocaine continue to be among the most widely available drugs throughout Georgia. (source) 

Effects

One thing is for certain, for the chronic self medicater of prescription medications, alcohol or illegal drugs, the dwindling spiral will continue on its downward path unless action is taken. NOW is the time to do something before the addicted person winds up in jail or dead of an overdose or accident. Unfortunately past failed attempts to overcome addiction only further depress the individual so it comes as no surprise that fear and hesitation. 

In the state of Georgia there is an increased need for effective drug and alcohol rehab and addiction treatment centers as drug and alcohol use continues to escalate. Drug use erodes the quality of life not only for the user, but for their families and communities. Marriages and families are torn apart by mistrust, betrayal, fear and anger. Careers are ruined; companies lose millions of dollars in lost production time; cities and suburbs become degraded by the increased crime and violence that goes with drug trafficking and drug addiction.

From city to suburb to rural life, drug and alcohol use and abuse continues to undermine the quality of life for Georgia citizens. To do nothing for the addict, should not be an option. Something can be done; help is available.

Treatment Center Changes Needed

Just in the state of Georgia, there are many different types of drug rehab and treatment facilities. In the United States, there are thousands of drug rehab and treatment centers treating alcoholism to OxyContin addiction. Of course the common goal of all addiction treatment programs is to help end addiction for the individual. In Georgia and across the United States, a variety of techniques and methods are being used. Some of the well known treatment methods in Georgia include the twelve step method, relapse prevention, one-on-one counseling, drug rehabilitation, behavioral modification, cognitive therapy, support groups, sober living, therapeutic communities, AA , NA, inpatient, and outpatient drug rehab programs. There are many types of treatment centers available in Georgia, so making a decision can be difficult. Unfortunately, many uninformed people in Georgia go from rehab to rehab looking for the one that is right for them.

In Georgia, there are many attempts being made to meet the needs of drug addicts, but statistics show success rates to be dismally low. What is needed and wanted is a drug treatment which not only handles physical addiction, but finds the underlying reasons why a person turns to drugs in order to free the person forever. What Georgia addicts, alcoholics and their family, friends and loved ones need is a real and effective drug rehab treatment center; one where they are not on a time schedule or use other drugs to get the addict off the original drugs. The addict needs a reliable proven program where when they are done, their drug addiction is a thing of the past and they are now able to live full productive lives free of the stronghold of drugs or alcohol.

Choosing a Drug Rehab and Addiction Treatment Program

What should the goal be of a drug rehab center? Clean and sober for 30 days? While that might be a good short term goal, many treatment centers and 12 step programs still leave the drug addict fighting a continuing battle with addiction. Once an addict always an addict; or it's a mental disorder they can do nothing about. When choosing a drug rehab center for yourself or a loved one from Georgia, it is important to become educated on the different types of drug rehab and what the end results are.

Should a chronic drug or alcohol abuser attend a treat program close to home?|

Drug and alcohol addiction typically involves habitual routines in the environmental scope of the individual, i.e. the locations of their drug or alcohol use, the people they associated with in the activities of drug or alcohol use, etc. Drug or alcohol addiction is not just drug and alcohol use, it revolves around people and things in their immediate environment which help to trigger the addictive behavior. The abusers location and routines of drug and alcohol use further trigger drug and alcohol use. It is the constant and seemingly unstoppable drug or alcohol use and the hopelessness of day to day existence which perpetuates the problem and inhibits the native desire to stop ruining their life through the use of drugs and alcohol.

The above factor should not be over looked when considering a treatment center location. The first two weeks of treatment are always the most difficult. There many factors at work to make this so. In addition to what has been covered above, a more basic factor is this; people are creatures of habit. Even overwhelmingly positive and beneficial changes in life, such as the birth of a child or a new job does not guarantee the individual will have no thoughts of missing past negative activities such as, drug or alcohol use, drug or drinking acquaintances and other associated activities. Factually this is the normal reactive auto response of most human beings; to do what they are familiar with; good or bad. It is not really that they yearn for these things, it is just all that they have known for some time. If the abuser is close to home when overwhelming feelings manifest themselves, there is a good chance he or she will leave and get back to what they know, drug addiction, as it is not very far away . Due to these factors, attending a drug rehab close to home is seldom the correct treatment option for chronic drug or alcohol abusers. It is extremely therapeutic to be distanced from their former association with drug dealers, bars, the cabinet where the alcohol was kept, the cigar box where the cocaine was stored, etc. All these triggers make the task of sobriety seem insurmountable to the chronic drug or alcohol abuser as these triggers continuously stimulate a reminder of their past addictive behaviors.

For individuals with a severe drug or alcohol addiction problem, choosing a long term inpatient treatment program is another key to a successful outcome. By providing a new, safe trigger free environment, distanced from past negative associations and surroundings for an extended period of time, the chance for success increases dramatically.

Our program provides people with positive circumstances to increase their chances for a successful recovery. The vast majority of students entering our program, around (80%), are from out of state or from other countries.

Healing Addicted Lives

Call now and request a copy of Healing Addicted Lives written by Gary W. Smith, Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor and Director of Narconon Arrowhead Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation and Education Center.
Call anytime to speak with one of our counselors about our program. We will take the time to answer your questions whether it be for yourself or a loved one. It is possible to replace the loss and pain of alcohol or drug addiction with a productive, enjoyable life.
Call now (877) 340-3602.