If you, or someone you care about, are seeking drug rehab then you are already well on your way to a brighter future. When looking at drug rehabilitation centers or other drug rehab programs, don’t be surprised that there are admission requirements. But don’t think that the admission process is out to stop people from getting help – that’s not true at all. Treatment for addictions and substance abuse is a highly personalized process. To help everyone succeed it is important for the professionals to know why you are there and what kind of mental and physical condition you are in.

Each drug rehab center and program is different, but most will want to know what the person is suffering from – whether it’s alcohol and drug addiction or substance abuse. They will also need to evaluate your physical condition. Any recent physical exam that has been completed by a doctor will be valuable to them, but many rehab programs do their own exams as well. Persons with complex psychological problems or physical handicaps may need to find specialized rehab programs. Some centers perform on-site detox, but not all do. It’s important to find out if you need detoxification and if that is something the rehab will provide.

Some rehab facilities may require that you know how to speak English well and have a social security number, and there may be different programs for people of different ages.

The most important requirement for admission into a drug rehab program is an open-mind and willingness to complete the program. The person seeking help can only be successful and change their life if they want to.

Alcoholism - With it comes severe, detrimental penalties for the drinker. Yet, what many overlook are the effects of alcohol on family and friends.

Spouses, siblings, parents, children, friends and loved ones are all adversely affected by the destructive choices made by alcoholics. They bear witness to these destructive decisions, sometimes on a daily basis, and are incapable of changing them. It can happen to any family, anywhere. Even Julie Andrews recently revealed her troubles with an alcoholic father while growing up in England. Those with a close relationship to an alcoholic also need support so they can maintain their sanity while positively encouraging their loved one’s recovery process. There are groups, such as Al-Anon and Alateen  doing just that – creating a community and helping others who are dealing with alcoholism indirectly.

Dealing with the unpredictable roller-coaster ride of heavy drinking and its aftermath can be traumatizing. Personal recovery is possible, though it does take a concentrated effort. Al-Anon uses the original twelve steps from Alcoholics Anonymous, but adapts them to be relevant to those who deal with the negative effects of alcoholism and are not alcoholics themselves.

Just as AA urges alcoholics to admit that they had become powerless over alcohol, the first step for family and friends is to accept that they had no power to force someone else to stop drinking. The choice is not theirs to make. These poor choices aren’t their fault, either. Making threats, planning schemes, and begging are all futile efforts. Feeling like it is their responsibility to make their loved ones change their habits and choices can cause exhaustion, stress, and depression.

The first step helps them to let go of the alcoholic’s problem. It shows them the power of their own actions and choices over their own lives. By focusing on how to be their own personal best, they’ll start to find solace by getting their own lives into a manageable state again.

Alcohol detoxification, or "detox," is the process of removing alcohol from the alcoholic’s system. This is the first step in the journey towards sobriety and it must be done within a medical facility as it can be fatal. Alcohol detox is necessary and it is difficult. Alcohol detox leads to alcohol withdrawal which includes the following symptoms:

• mild to moderate physical symptoms: jumpiness, nervousness, shakiness, anxiety, irritability, emotional volatility, rapid mood swings, depression, fatigue, difficulty thinking clearly and bad dreams
• mild to moderate psychological symptoms: headaches, sweating, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, insomnia, paleness, rapid heart beat, dilated pupils, clammy skin, abnormal movements, tremors in hands, involuntary/abnormal movements of the eyelids
• severe symptoms: a state of confusion, visual hallucinations (known as delirium tremors), severe agitation, fever and convulsions

Not everyone who stops drinking experiences withdrawal symptoms but those that have been drinking for a long time, drink frequently and drink heavily will experience some form of alcohol withdrawal. Most detox centers have doctors and other trained medical personnel that can administer certain medications that help with the physical symptoms of withdrawal.

Alcohol detox, or detoxification, is the term used to describe the body’s response to the elimination of the substance it has become dependent upon. Alcohol detox must be done in a medical center because the body can react violently to withdrawal and only trained medical personnel can administer any necessary medications to help with this process. The objective of alcohol detox is to help the patient attain an alcohol-free state which helps prepare the patient for entry into treatment and rehab. The fundamental goal of alcohol detox is preparation for long-term recovery from alcoholism. Alcohol detox lasts anywhere from 3 to 14 days.

Gatehouse Academy is an extended care treatment center for young men and women in need of long term drug rehab or alcohol rehab. We offer the opportunity for young adults from the ages of 17-25 to learn life skills, continue formalized education, enhance physical well-being, and recover from the detrimental effects of chemical dependency.

If you have any questions please contact us.