Being privileged enough to be able to go to a substance abuse treatment center is something a lot of people take for granted. If you are lucky enough to have an opportunity to go to treatment, you should definitely look into substance abuse treatment in Lexington, MA.
Substance Abuse Treatment in Lexington, MA: Detoxing your body
To go into substance abuse treatment in Lexington, MA, you first have to fully detox your body. Going through the physical withdrawals once you stop using drugs and alcohol can be tough but that’s why it’s a good idea to go to a medical detox center and not detox at home by yourself. With certain substances, like alcohol and benzodiazepines, the withdrawals can actually be deadly so you want to make sure you are with medical professionals. At a detoxification center, they will drug test you and get you started on a weaning down process so that your detox is more bearable and easier to go through. The purpose is to eventually take you off all medication and make sure you aren’t physically ill anymore.
Substance Abuse Treatment in Lexington, MA: Treatment process
After the drugs and alcohol are out of your system, you can go into substance abuse treatment in Lexington, MA and work on the mental part of the disease of addiction and get your mind healthy. Going to therapy sessions (individual or group), doing fun sober activities, attending 12-step meetings and learning how to live life on life’s terms is what you learn in rehab. The transition from living a life based on drugs and alcohol to being a normal functioning human being can be difficult.
Substance Abuse Treatment in Lexington, MA: IOP and Halfway House
The next step is to move onto the phase of treatment which is referred to as intensive outpatient. In outpatient treatment, you don’t live at the treatment center but you attend therapy sessions a few times a week and are still drug tested. You also usually are advised to live in a halfway house during this period of time. In a halfway house they also drug test you, want you to have a job, pay your rent on time, do chores, get a sponsor, go to meetings and work a program of recovery.
Substance Abuse Treatment in Lexington, MA: Meetings
In halfway you are able to bond with other people in recovery but a good majority of the support and connections happen when you go to 12-step meetings. Here you will get a sponsor and start working a program and changing your life. It’s amazing how much one person can change through a 12-step fellowship; I remember my mom not even recognizing me and feeling like I was a totally different person because I had changed so much – for the better. It’s a wonderful feeling to be doing good things with your life and wanting to be a better person; and going to meetings and working your steps will be a big part of that. Substance abuse treatment in Lexington, MA really encourages working a solid program of recovery. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse or addiction, please call toll free 1-800-951-6135.