Drug addiction alcoholism treatment alcohol abuse

Addiction Treatment FAQ

• What are the different approaches to treating addiction?
• When is complete abstinence the best choice?
• How successful is Renascent Complete Care?
• What is “detox” or withdrawal management?
• What happens in residential treatment?
• Is 21 days enough time to get someone clean and sober?
• What can be done to prevent relapse?
• Why does the involvement of family members increase success?
• Why is going to meetings so important?
• How can transitional housing help?
• What does treatment cost?

What are the different approaches to treating addiction?

No single treatment modality is appropriate for all individuals. Often clients require a combination of integrated therapies to address addiction, mental health and other medical issues.

Providers of addiction treatment come from a variety of backgrounds and utilize a range of approaches and methods. Since people using alcohol and drugs fall along a continuum of use, misuse, abuse and addiction, it makes sense that rehabilitation services fall along a continuum. This continuum includes harm reduction and abstinence approaches, outpatient and residential options.

Twelve-step facilitated residential treatment is one of the most effective mechanisms of addiction intervention and is the option required for people with substance dependence. If you have tried and failed to control your substance use, an abstinence-based treatment provider such as Renascent is likely the most appropriate choice for you.

All clients need to be assessed and screened for medical and mental health issues so they can be matched with an appropriate treatment provider. Renascent uses government-approved assessment tools, so you can be sure your free assessment offers you the recommendations that best suit your individual needs.

Learn more about abstinence-based treatment by reading a research review by Dr. Rick Csiernik: 12-Step Orientated Residential Treatment Programs. http://www.renascent.ca/addiction/Csiernik.doc

When is complete abstinence the best choice?

If you have tried and failed to control your substance use, abstinence is likely the choice for you.

Given a choice to reduce drinking or eliminate it, it’s not surprising people opt for moderation of the substance problem. The problem is addicted people can’t use in moderation or, as Eric Clapton explains, “The idea of one drink for me is fascinating and fantastic. But it is also an impossibility because one is too many and thousand isn’t enough.”

Abstinence is the safest treatment goal for those with an addiction. Abstinence, as Renascent’s ongoing outcome studies show, is possible for the clients we treat. Quality of life (emotional health, relationships, job performance and health) improves with abstinence. Just listen to any recovering addict tell their story.

How successful is Renascent Complete Care?

Renascent is proud of the results our clients achieve through our Complete Care program – a program comprised of four essential components: Primary Care, Continuing Care, Family Care and Alumni Care.

71.4% of clients who completed at least the primary and continuing care components of the Complete Care program are clean and sober 24 months post-treatment as determined through ongoing independent outcome studies.

Lifelong recovery is possible when you understand the nature of the disease. Renascent does. That’s why we combine intensive treatment with a structured relapse prevention program, family care and alumni services for life to help address all aspects of the disease.

What is “detox” or withdrawal management?

Some mistakenly think that detoxification (“detox”) and treatment are the same thing. Detoxification is the process of the drugs and alcohol leaving your system and becoming physically stable. Detoxification is the beginning of the journey that helps people become clean and sober, so they can attend treatment.

Many addicted people – but not all – must undergo detoxification. This procedure is best conducted under the watchful eye of a medical professional or withdrawal management centre, because it can be uncomfortable and pose a serious health risk.
Detoxification can manage the acute symptoms of withdrawal. For example, when a person withdraws from alcohol dependence, a small proportion of clients may experience delirium (the DTs), seizures, nausea, rapid heart rate, tremors and other symptoms.

Doctors may prescribe medication to make the process of detoxification safer. They may gradually reduce the amount of the addictive substance until the person has completely withdrawn. Or they may have the client take a medical substitute for the addictive substance (such as methadone for people addicted to heroin or opiates).  

Renascent requires all clients being admitted to Primary Care to be clean and sober for 72 hours prior to admission. If you need help finding a medical professional or withdrawal management facility to help you withdraw safely, we’ll help you make arrangements well in advance of your admission date.

What happens in residential treatment?

At Renascent, we offer separate residential treatment programs for men and women. Clients will participate in group and individual counselling sessions and will attend 12-step meetings in the community as part of their 21-day Primary Care treatment program.

Counsellors are available around the clock to help clients work through issues when they arise. Additional support is offered through the “buddy system” – clients are paired with roommates at different stages in Primary Care, so they can learn to give and receive support from fellow recovering addicts.

Clients benefit from the opportunity to re-establish daily routines including good nutrition and sleep. A typical day includes two, two-hour group sessions, individual counselling plus attendance at a 12-step meeting in the evening. Family and friends may visit on Saturday afternoons.

Is 21 days enough time to get someone clean and sober?

No, not by itself. A 21-day residential program is only enough when combined with a structured relapse prevention or aftercare program, family care and participation in recovery communities like 12-step groups and Renascent alumni care.

For a number of clients, long-term residential treatment may be recommended. Our free Renascent assessment will determine if this is necessary and Renascent will help with recommendations and referrals to trusted treatment providers if that’s the option required.

What can be done to prevent relapse?

Even people who’ve received effective treatment for addiction will encounter situations that can produce intense periods of craving to re-use alcohol and drugs. It’s important to remember addiction is a lifetime health issue and similar to other chronic diseases, such as asthma and diabetes, people can relapse when they fail to manage their disease properly

The best way to prevent relapse is to sign up for Renascent Complete Care, to go to 12-step meetings and to address health issues that impact recovery. Learn more about relapse and what you can do to avoid relapse.

Why does the involvement of family members increase success?

Addiction is a family disease. Dr. Ackerman notes, “Addiction is not a spectator sport. To one degree or another, everyone in the family is affected.” You can get a better handle on how you’ve been affected by someone’s addiction by answering these 20 questions.

Learning about addiction and recovery through a Renascent Family info night allows you to understand what recovery is all about. Renascent Family Care will give you the information and tools you need to deal with the alcoholic or addict in your life.

Even if the alcoholic or drug addict in your life isn’t ready to stop, there is plenty of help for family members and children at Renascent.

If you’d like learn more, read Dr. Rick Csiernik’s paper: Counselling for the Family: The Neglected Aspect of Addiction Treatment.

Why is going to meetings so important?

Independent outcome studies show Renascent alumni who regularly attend meetings and who work with a sponsor are twice as successful.

Once you leave the safety of a residential treatment program you need ongoing support to navigate through early recovery. Regular attendance at meetings combined with Renascent’s Continuing Care offers great protection against relapse.

12-step meetings include open and honest discussions about all aspects of dealing with recovery – both the pains experienced during periods of substance use and the positive experiences brought by recovery. This holds true for families – Al-Anon and Alateen (for teenagers) are confidential places where families can seek help from people who’ve been there.

Learn more about 12-step meetings, a free resource widely available in communities throughout the world.

How can transitional housing help?

After completing residential treatment, clients may utilize transitional housing services if they don’t have a place to stay. These services require residents to be clean and sober and they offer another form of aftercare support after treatment. Residents can stay for up to six months and can attend work and visit family from transitional housing.

Many families feel guilty for kicking out their addicted family member or for not wanting them to return home after treatment. Transitional housing provides a valued service to the newly recovering individual who needs extra support while providing the space that’s often necessary to families to get the help they need.

Renascent can guide you to the best transitional housing services in your area.

What does treatment cost?

The cost of treatment can vary widely and in North America and treatment can easily cost upwards of $30,000.

Fortunately in Canada, many provinces subsidize the cost of treatment. Through donor support, registered not-for-profit charities such as Renascent are able to provide treatment at a fraction of the cost of other providers, many of which are for-profit organizations.

At Renascent, the final cost of Complete Care is determined by the level of care required to meet the needs of you, your family and, in the case of a mandatory referral, your employer.
Only through a free assessment can we determine the price of treatment.