Mental health professionals are often resistant to phrasing in Step 1 in 12-Step recovery, which states the member is “powerless” over their addiction (substance). The reason for this resistance is especially strong for women substance abusers. Many women have been traumatized both before and during their substance abuse by men who held the power in their relationships and abused that power. In many instances, women have been subjected to sexual abuse as children by fathers or other males who were either older, stronger or both. Cases of rape can be underlying cause of shame for these women. There are women, too, who drink and are involved in sexual relationships that they would not have participated in when not drinking or drugging. There is sexual, physical or emotional abuse that women substance abusers have been working to forget, situations where they were powerless. While this is the case for some men, it is more often true for women. Their sense of shame is further deepened upon hearing the term “powerless” in early recovery.

This becomes a sense of hopelessness because they cannot handle substances that had temporarily allowed them to forget their past. Therapeutic communities strive to empower those who are disenfranchised and/or disadvantaged in some aspect. They work with these members to give them a voice where before they had been silent. For women who have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused, “powerless” may not be the desired term to use therapeutically. However, there is much to be said for the importance of this particular word. While it is not desirable to discount the trauma(s) abused women have experienced, it is important to recognize how ineffectual an addict’s best efforts have been in the battle of the addiction. They have brought all in their power to bear against the ravages of the substance abuse.

Time after time, they have used all of the will power at their command to NOT do what they are compelled to do, causing further harm and damage to their lives. Seen through the lens of society and their family and friends, this behavior is certainly out of their control. Few who approach early recovery from substance abuse want to believe that they are powerless over their addiction. It damages the fragile ego defenses that have kept them going despite the horrific effects of substance abuse. For many, however, admitting defeat is exactly the remedy that allows these defenses to be torn down. Destroying the defenses that have supported the substance abuse behaviors and fed the denial that has kept it going is necessary before any inroads to recovery can be made. Most persons will admit that they experienced a sense of relief in admitting that they could not do this thing themselves. They simply could not stop! Our social environment praises those who overcome adversity and triumph over calamity.

When it comes to substance abuse, the hardest thing for those who are introduced to the term “powerless” is the idea that they have somehow failed. What is important to remember when encountering the shame of becoming “powerless” in this instance is that they are soon to be asked to find a power that can help them resolve this hurdle. Even women who have been abused and suffered the pain of that kind of powerlessness can appreciate the strength to be found in allowing assistance in order to gain mastery and power once again.

Kelly McClanahan has an MSW in clinical social work, with a specialization in substance abuse treatment. Having worked in this field for over 20 years, she is currently working on her certification as an addictions’ counselor.

Choosing the place for drug rehabilitation that will meet your needs is a very important matter. With the many different rehabilitation centers listed at SoberRecovery.com, you can find the right program and the location that is right for you. If you are looking for a drug rehabilitation center, you or someone you care about already knows that there is a problem that involves substance abuse. Our friendly directory of treatment centers will help by providing treatment options including all of the pertinent information you need to select the right one for you.

There are numerous factors to consider when making the decision on a drug rehabilitation center. For many, finding one that is located close to home is the first priority. It is also important to know how much you will have to pay for drug rehabilitation treatment. Even though you may have found a center which is nearby and that you can afford, you should also consider some other important factors that will make a significant difference in the outcome of your treatment. Not all centers offer the same type of therapy and you should know if you have a preference for a particular type of treatment program before making your decision. For some, a 12-step program is the best option while for others, a holistic program or faith-based treatment is a more desirable approach to recovery.

Another consideration when determining which drug rehabilitation center will best meet your needs is whether it accepts both men and women or if you would be more comfortable in a center with your gender only. There are also drug rehabilitation centers that specialize in young adults aged 18 to 27 as well as those that are specifically for mature adults aged 55 and older. You might also want to consider a facility that specializes in the type of addiction you are seeking treatment for. Many people find it useful when they have others with them who have the same addiction to help them work through their abuse issues.

Whatever your addiction is, SoberRecovery.com is a great way to start the search for the right drug rehabilitation center. They understand that you are looking for help with a problem that you are struggling with and they can help you get that help. Getting drug rehabilitation can give you the hope that you might not realize you still have. A center will provide you with professional care for your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing in order to get past the damage that has been done by your addiction. Most centers have 24 hour supervision that allows limited connection with the outside world while you concentrate on the rehab program that will bring you the future you deserve.

Go to SoberRecovery.com to search for the drug rehabilitation center that has all the important features to meet your specific needs. In addition to providing you with the links to facilities all across the country, they also offer a lot of information to help you understand drug addiction and more about the different types of rehabilitation programs available.

Do You Need Drug Rehab in the Bay Area?

Alice went down the rabbit hole long ago. The days when cheerfully stoned hippies lined the streets of San Francisco have given way to heroin addicts nodding out in back alleys and crack violence in Oakland. The Summer of Love is gone, and all that remains is year-round self-destruction. If you are one of the many who need drug rehab in the Bay Area, we can help.

Drug Rehab in the Bay Area Is Available to All

There are a great many facilities that offer drug rehab in the Bay Area. These treatment centers are dedicated to helping you find a way out of the trap of drug addiction. Use our filters to find a listing of reputable agencies in your city, and you’ll see that there is a wide array of choices. Many treatment centers serve the cause of those who have fallen into drug use as a result of poverty. There are free clinics, and residential treatment centers that will work with you despite your lack of funds. There are facilities that focus on specific groups, such as Asian-Americans, Native Americans, women and veterans.

Crack and heroin use in poverty-ridden pockets of the inner cities is not the only drug problem in the Bay Area. There are also a great many affluent drug users here, and there are treatment options designed especially for them as well. If you are a high-profile client, you’ll want a facility that will protect your privacy and will allow you to live comfortably while you’re undergoing treatment. Again, you can use our listings to find the treatment center that is right for you.

Whether you are wealthy or poor, whether you party with cocaine or scrabble desperately for the next crack pipe, there is one common denominator: you need help. We’re here to help you find it.

How to Find an Appropriate Drug Rehabilitation Facility

Congratulations on finding your way to this website! The fact that you are here means that you are thinking about getting treatment for your drug addiction. Moving out of denial is one of the most important steps toward recovery. Now that you’re thinking about finding a drug rehabilitation facility, though, you might find the sheer number of choices intimidating and confusing.

We’ve put together a listing of reputable drug treatment centers all across the country. We’ve also created filters to help you narrow your choices. While you will certainly want to take into consideration factors such as location, perhaps the most important element in your selection should be the type of drug you are addicted to. Treatment of addiction to heroin and other opiates, for example, differs from best practices for treating cocaine addiction, methamphetamine use or abuse of prescription drugs. The detox process, too, varies widely with the drug of choice. Selecting a drug rehabilitation facility that has the specialized skills to deal with your particular addiction will give you the best results.

Find the Right Drug Rehabilitation Facility for You

Another element you should take into account is the type of treatment offered. There are many models for drug addiction recovery, and not all of them are suited to all people. The 12-step model used in Narcotics Anonymous is one of the most common, and might be exactly what you need. You might, however, be a deeply committed Christian who thinks that the 12-step approach doesn’t make appropriate use of God’s help. A faith-based program might be best for you. You might be an atheist, who finds the NA model doesn’t fit with your ideas of free will. A holistic or psychological treatment program might suit you better.

Whatever your drug of choice, and whatever your beliefs and lifestyle, you can use our resources to help you find the appropriate treatment center and begin your new life.

Drug Rehabilitation Facilities for Specialized Clients

There are dedicated drug rehabilitation facilities for many types of specialized clients. When you are searching for a treatment center, you should first focus on finding one that treats addiction to your particular drug. Each type of addiction is different, and specialized treatments and procedures have been developed to respond to these differences. A crystal meth addict, for example, will need a different clinical approach than a marijuana user would need. Various forms of medical detox and the ways of preventing relapse are prime examples of the differing approaches.

Differing life circumstances can also be taken into account when choosing a drug rehabilitation facility. In fact, there is often a correlation between particular populations and the drug of choice. Veterans, especially those from the Vietnam era, often struggle with addiction to heroin and other opiates. The gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community has historically had a tendency to abuse the so-called “party drugs” such as cocaine and ecstasy. Addiction to crystal meth is one of the fastest-growing drug abuse problems in the United States, and has recently become a drug of choice for GLBT substance abusers. The spread of crystal meth use among Native Americans is also alarmingly rapid.

Find Drug Rehabilitation Facilities That Fit Your Needs

You may find your recovery somewhat eased by being among people who share your cultural, sexual or social identity. We here at SoberRecovery.com have made it easier for you to find an appropriate facility by using filters that can show you those treatment centers that specialize in treating a particular drug or a particular type of client. That’s our mission here: to aid your recovery in every way we can.