Getting addicted to drugs may be easy but quitting them is not and this process is not something any person can do alone. In fact, in many cases, abruptly stopping the use of a drug can have very dangerous effects and hence should not be attempted without participating in a proper rehabilitation program. The top-rated rehab centers around the country offer short term and long term inpatient programs as well as outpatient programs to help addicts detox their bodies and control their drug cravings.

There are several factors to keep in mind while choosing a rehab center. Primary amongst these are the qualifications of the doctors and counselors, facilities available at the center, financial policies and support available, residential policies etc. It is important for the patient to feel comfortable with the doctors and staff of a rehab center since he or she will be spending a lot of time here. Top rated rehab centers also usually ask for a few diagnostic tests before admitting a patient so that they may tailor the rehabilitation program according to the patient’s needs.

Once the patient is admitted to an inpatient rehab program he or she will have to stay at the center for a minimum of 28 days and a maximum of 6 months. The first step of rehab is to detoxify the body and remove all remnants of drugs being used until then. Each patient’s detox program varies according to their overall health, the drug being used, how long it was used for and if there are any other addictions he patient may suffer from. A detox can cause withdrawal symptoms and intense cravings. Hence, doctors at the top-rated rehab centers administer prescription medication to help deal with these withdrawal symptoms and reduce chances of a relapse. These withdrawal symptoms can include loss of appetite, cramps, diarrhea, excessive sweating, headaches, muscle pain and hallucinations.

After this initial detox, the patient is guided by counselors and psychologists on how to address the core issues triggering their drug cravings and how to identify these triggers. These issues are addressed using cognitive behavioral therapy during individual and group sessions. As part of this therapy they are also encouraged to take up new hobbies and taught time management skills to make the best use of time and avoid chances of slipping into a relapse.

In addition to healing the patient, counseling is also required for the patient’s family. This is because they will need to provide emotional support for the patient and stop the patient from relapsing into using drugs again. Hence family members are often invited to group therapy sessions at top rated rehab centers. Once the inpatient program is over recovering drug addicts are advised to continue an outpatient program and counseling.