What are the common types of addiction treated by rehab clinics?

Addiction isn’t something that just happens to a few people. Millions of people in the US suffer from addiction and millions more are affected by knowing someone who is struggling to recover from addiction issues. Addiction is hard to overcome. It’s not just about abstaining; it’s about discovering and treating the underlying issues that can lead to addiction

Often it’s necessary to seek assistance from professionals such as Alcohol Rehab who have the knowledge and experience to make the journey to recovery smoother and more successful. So what sort of addictions are currently prevalent and treated by rehab clinics?

Alcohol Addiction

The problem with alcohol is that it’s often seen as a social norm. Having a few beers with friends is seen as something fun to do that isn’t going to cause you any problems. There are a couple of things that you need to remember; alcohol should always be drunk in moderation to avoid adverse effects on your health and it’s very easy for social drinking to become an addiction given the right conditions. Approximately 1 in 12 American adults suffer from alcohol dependence or abuse.

Escaping the clutches of alcohol isn’t easy. Alcohol rehab helps the individual to break the cycle of dependence by looking at their own needs. It gives them the escape from everyday life that they need in order to conquer their addiction.

Prescription drug addiction

Prescription drugs are a good thing, when they are taken in the way they are prescribed. The problem is that this often doesn’t happen. People for whom the drug was prescribed become accustomed to its effects and feel the need to take more than they should, or the drugs are taken by people who they have not been prescribed for. Problems don’t just happen with prescription drugs but over the counter drugs too, when people feel the need to use them continuously or at a higher level than the recommended dose. Some of the most widely abused prescription and over the counter drugs include painkillers and stimulants such as Ritalin.

Heroin addiction

Unlike alcohol and prescription drugs all heroin use is illegal. No matter what anyone tells you to the contrary, heroin messes with your brain and is capable of changing the whole course of your life. That’s easy to say though, it’s often tempting for some people to try heroin “as a one off”. The problem with heroin is its highly addictive and once you’re hooked you’re set on a downward spiral.

The experts at rehab centers give residents the help they need to overcome their addiction to heroin. They give them the opportunity to escape the lifestyle which encourages their habit and concentrate on re-gaining a healthy, heroin-free life.

Any of these addictions can be fatal when they take hold. Even if they don’t kill, they can change a person’s personality and life beyond all recognition. Sometimes it can seem like an impossible task to recover from addiction but rehab centers give residents the space, time and expert treatment required to do just that.