There is something that always has to be addressed when you are attempting change.  It is change.  Though it may seem silly to say this, but to change you actually have to do something different then you have done before.  You cannot change by doing things exactly as you have in the past.  A lot of clients expect somehow that just going to a drug rehab center is enough.  They can act the same, do the same, feel the same and behave the same.  Somehow just the enviroment of rehab will change them.  The same for the family members.  They still want to control and rescue the addicted loved one.  They want to interact the same and deal with problems the same way as before.

This will not work.  Act the same and you will get the same.  If the program at a drug rehab center does not get you to do things differently from before the chances of real change are slim.  As a family member, expect the client doing rehab to be uncomfortable.  Doing things differently is difficult.  It is not always fun.  It is not always easy.  This is not a reason to intervene.  It is not a reason to ask the rehab to do things differently.  Let the client solve thier problems on their own.  Let them change.

There are many choices when it comes to drug rehab centers. We get phone calls every day with client somewhat overwhelmed and lost. There is a real fear of making the wrong decision. The cost always adds a stress. Failure after rehab may cost someone their health and their life. What are some things you can do to decrease this stress?

Firstly ask a lot of questions. Start with yourself. What do you things do you think you have to learn or change to move past addiction in your life? If you could magically have certain skills that you KNOW would help you deal with addiction, what would those be? What other things would you need to know to move past addiction? Realistically, under perfect circumstances, how long would it take you to learn these things?

With these questions you now have some information to start looking at different rehab centers. Look for a program with a long enough time line to teach you the things you require. Then ask the rehab center how they teach and what methods, do they use to help you learn the skills, you know you need to acquire. They answers you receive should be clear and make sense. Ask what materials they use to help teach you. Ask if you can buy some of the materials first to look at them and their quality. Rehabs with real materials and printed materials have gone to the trouble to actually make a program. If there are no printed materials, chances are there is no program either.

Going to drug rehab is about persistance.  It is about doing whatever it takes to get out of a lifestyle that will age you well before your time and kill you if you play with it long enough.  I heard about an individual who has been to various drug rehab programs for over 23 times.  I have to admit, while I have heard many clients who have been to 5 to 7 drug and alcohol rehab centers this was a number that even surprised me.  

Firstly anyone who goes to drug rehab 23 times clearly is demonstrating they want to change.  They clearly do not want to live the life they are presently in.  You could not possibly do 23 interventions, so without a doubt this person is willing to try to change.  There is a point though where you might really have to do something differently to change is this keeps occuring.  I am not trying to blame the person or the drug rehab centers, but if what is being tried, is not working, I doubt the 24th time will make the difference.

Maybe at some point you may just want to consider moving to a place where there are no drugs or alcohol available.  Go volunteer for a camp or organisation where there are just no drugs available.  There are groups of people who do not allow any drugs and alcohol in their lives or their surroundings.  Move there and join them.  This may seem like a trite solution, and it is not meant to be.  The idea I am trying to put forward is about, if what you are doing is not working, you at some point have to try another solution.  I certainly think 23 visits to rehab is trying something.  I think we all get caught up in the "perfect answer" syndrome.  Even things that work 99.99% of the time, sometimes do not work.  For that person they need another solution.  Telling them to just keep trying and sooner or later they will get it is somewhat creul and isolating.  Sooner or later we will all be dead.  Standing with someone and saying you will work with them until the find a solution is wonderful.  Saying they have to fail a 25th time at the same thing is uncreative and uninspired.  Drug rehab is a great solution.  It does not work for everybody all the time.

There are lots of "extras" in drug rehab programs.  Things like work programs, family counseling, adventure camping skills, equestrian skills, art and dance skills.  All these add to the overall experience and certainly add to the social and fun part of the program.  However many times when looking for a good drug rehab center, clients let the extras cloud their decision about which is the best program for them.  

A lot of poeple think family counseling is critical and important. It is a valid point that family harmony is a really worthy goal. However, a client really should be able to handle the stress of difficult family relationships and stay sober no matter what the outcome. In other words, a weekend family counseling session may do some good in improving the realtionships in the family.  It is more important for a client to learn to stay sober, now matter how unsettled or "crazy" their family may be.  Your father may always be cold to you, you cannot change other people, you can learn to deal with distant realationships so they do not affect you and lead to to relapse.

While a work program is a good idea, again it is important to learn skills to keep yourself focused and sober even if you do not have a job.  The "work" is not the solution.  Changes in your actions and patterns of thinking are the solution.  Try not to let "external" activities and things distract you from what will utlimately change your life.  They are intereisting, fun and useful, but they are not the main reason why you should go to a drug and alcohol rehab center.

It is wonderful the drug rehabs add new a wonderful things to their program.  Anything that gets people to seek treatment and stay in a drug rehab center until the end of their program is great.  Just do not get confused about the extras.  Look for the core of the program.  Riding horses will not make you sober.  Discipline and commitment to change will.

We are going through a update process withour website.  Over the last two months we have updated our drug rehab listings and improved our drug rehab search features.  We added a better drug rehab news feature and well as updating the drug rehab blog.  What other things would you like to see?  How else can we serve you?

I have already talked about our upcoming drug rehab on line as well as our self study drug rehab books.  What are you having trouble finding in the drug rehab world?  Would any like a chat or drug rehab forum feature?  We are till looking for more free dug rehab centers and other low cost alternatives?  Would you be interested in a client rating system for drug rehab centers?

I am sure there are at least some things we have overlooked.  Please help us by simply requesting what you want and we will do our best.  Anything we can do to make this the source for anything about drug and alcohol rehab we will certainly try.  So don't be shy, let us know.  Take care and thanks in advance for your input.