Introduction to a recovery process can be a shock to the system and ideology of any addict, whether they are alcohol, drug addicts, or other behavior addicts; which are called process addictions, such as gambling, sex, or video game addictions. Believing that abstinence is the only method for recovery to begin is the premise underlying most successful treatment options. Whether they are in 12-step recovery or not, abstinence is the key for nearly all recovery from addictions of any kind.

Relapse is very common for those who have an initial introduction to treatment for an addiction. The numbers cited in the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous, the earliest recovery program, was at 65%. This number has not changed a great deal since the inception of the book that named their society in 1939. Little has occurred during the years since then to alter this statistic. Treatment of many types has introduced the concept of addiction to mainstream media in all parts of the world, but has not been able to offset the concept of relapse.

It is as if the addict must test his or her newfound information about addiction by participating in a return to the old behaviors and patterns to see if they truly have this problem. Many of these addicts will return to recovery to maintain abstinence and will eventually succeed in recovery from the addiction(s).

However, the process of determining that they are, in fact, addicts, can be quite interesting and enlightening. As they begin, they will attempt to do the very same things that they had tried before treatment to stop or control the addictive behavior. This may include, but is not limited to these popular themes:

• To have no more than 1 drink or hit of a drug during a specified time frame,
• To only participate in the behavior on weekends,
• To drink or drug only during specific hours of the day,
• To eat certain foods before they drink or drug,
• To stop legal consequences by not driving their car when drinking/drugging,
• To only participate in the behavior when alone,
• To not participate in the behavior at all without companionship,
• To only drink or drug substances that they don’t enjoy as much as their favorites,
• To never borrow money for gambling, drinking or drugs,

There are many ways to attempt to control behaviors that are already out of control. Others have done these and many more things to control addictive behavior. This then, brings us to the natural argument of whether it is “nature or nurture” that creates addiction. Is it a genetic factor that determines who will develop an addiction? Or is it a learned phenomenon? No one can answer this question completely. It is not an important point for this conversation.

What is important is the knowledge that when one has developed an addiction, they cannot successfully work themselves out of it by any means. This is a difficult and painful realization to come to for addicts. They want to shape their addiction into something that can be handled by them with the benefits of their mind and willpower. This is not to be. The sooner they learn that they have no control over addiction, the better their initial steps into recovery will be.

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.

How to Select a Substance Abuse Treatment Facility

There are many options when it comes to selecting a substance abuse treatment facility. As a potential client, you will have to decide for yourself which criteria are most important to you, but here are some aspects you should consider before making your decision.

One of the primary considerations is the particular substance that you abuse. If alcohol is your addiction, the main concern is whether you need to undergo detox. If you have been drinking heavily for a long time, you may need medical supervision while you go through withdrawal. Most treatment centers for alcoholism offer detox facilities, but not all.

Select a Substance Abuse Treatment Facility for a Particular Drug

If you are using a drug, you should be aware that treatment varies according to the drug of choice. Treatment for cocaine is different from treatment for heroin, and treatment for prescription drugs varies from treatment for meth. You can use the filters on our home page under “Programs by Drug” to find a substance abuse treatment facility that specializes in treating your addiction.

Another important factor to take into consideration is the type of program you think would work best for you. A majority of treatment centers use a twelve-step protocol based on the Alcoholics Anonymous model. However, there are a great many alternative approaches, including holistic, faith-based, self-help and medical models. Check our filters under “Special Focus Programs” to learn more about these alternative approaches.

Clientele is another aspect you might want to take into account. If, for instance, you are an adolescent, you will probably do better in a treatment facility that focuses on your age group. Women have different issues in treatment from men, so an all-woman facility may have more appeal. There are also specialized centers for other types of clients, such as gays and lesbians or veterans, who can benefit from working with those who understand their particular issues.

Specialized Substance Abuse Treatment

What’s your drug of choice? Is it cocaine? Alcohol? Amphetamines? Opiates? Whatever you may be abusing, there is a specialized substance abuse treatment center that can help you. Because each type of addiction acts differently on the body, each type of detox must take a different approach. It’s a good idea, whenever possible, to choose a substance abuse treatment facility that specializes in your addiction.

Many facilities offer treatment for several different substances or for dual diagnoses. If a facility is listed in our resources under the particular substance you use, that means that it has particular knowledge and skills to treat that addiction.

Substance Abuse Treatment for Different Types of Clients

Some treatment centers specialize in a particular type of client rather than a particular drug. You can find centers for men only and women only. Separation by gender is especially useful for women, since the issues that lead to abuse and the physical and social harm done by addiction are different for them than for men.

Specialization by age can also be very helpful, especially on the ends of the spectrum. Programs dedicated to adolescents and young adults offer a relatable peer group and can focus on the issues particular to that stage of life. Many also offer programs that are best suited to those who are younger, such as wilderness camps.

Senior citizens are particularly prone to alcoholism and prescription drug abuse. If painkillers are the substance being abused, as is so often the case in this age group, it’s useful to choose a facility that offers training in pain management. These tend to be holistic rather than twelve-step programs, and again, you can find them in our listings.

What to Expect at Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities

If you are researching substance abuse treatment facilities, you’ve taken an important first step toward recovery. However, you may be feeling nervous and unsure about what to expect. Here is a brief overview of the process.

Before you enter the facility, you will be given information about what you can and cannot bring with you. Since you will need to focus as completely as possible on your recovery, cell phones and laptops are usually not allowed. Of course you may not bring drugs or alcohol; rules about tobacco products vary according to the institution. You should not bring clothing that might be deemed inappropriate, such as shirts bearing offensive slogans or gang-related clothing. Your belongings will be searched when you arrive to make sure you have understood these restrictions.

The Admission Process at Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities

The next step is a clinical analysis to determine whether you need detox or treatment for other medical or psychological problems. If you are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms from drugs or alcohol, you will be put into a medically supervised detox program, where medications will be administered to help make the process as comfortable as possible.

After detox, you will join the general population and begin your addiction treatment plan. This will most likely include group and individual therapy, and may also include twelve-step meetings, recreational physical activity and family therapy. Many substance abuse treatment facilities now make use of holistic protocols such as yoga, nutritional counseling, massage, meditation and acupuncture.

As you progress through your recovery and become stronger, you will have fewer restrictions on visits, phone calls, etc. At the end of your stay, you will generally have the option for transitional living or outpatient aftercare, or you may choose to attend twelve-step meetings or continue outpatient therapy while living at home.

How to Find a Substance Abuse Treatment Facility in California

Substance abuse treatment facilities in California are thick on the ground. You can find treatment centers for alcohol abuse and drugs of all kinds, from crack cocaine to prescription medications. The question is, which is the best one for you?

Here at SoberRecovery.com, we’ve put together an extensive array of resources for you to use, including a list of reputable substance abuse treatment centers in California. We’ve also provided you with several filters that will help you narrow down your options.

There are a number of ways to approach this. You might want to begin by looking for a treatment center that specializes in the particular substance you are addicted to. Treatment for alcohol abuse differs from treatment for pain reliever addiction, and that’s different from the treatment for opiates. Many treatment centers are equipped to handle several different types of addiction, and even dual diagnoses, but you might prefer the focused attention on your specific problem.

Other filters you might use separate out specific types of clients. High-profile clients need protection from invasive press, for instance, while teenagers and young adults are the primary clients for wilderness camps. You might feel more comfortable among others of your age, gender, or orientation. There are, for example, facilities that focus on the LGBT community, on migrant workers, and on veterans.

There Is a Substance Abuse Treatment Center in California That Is Right for You

Financial considerations are often primary in choosing a treatment facility, but there are affordable options, including those that accept insurance and those that will arrange for a sliding scale or financing.

The most important thing to realize is that there is a treatment center that is right for you. We’ll help you find it, but it’s up to you to get yourself there. We truly hope you will.