What is rehabilitation for substance addiction and how is it implemented?

Substance use, which becomes increasingly damaging as the age of onset decreases, is a disease that ravages all aspects of an individual's life. Today, for treatment of substance use disorder to be effective, it's crucial to address all the losses in a person's life and strive to restore them as much as possible. In this regard, treatment approaches covering biological, psychological, social, family and work-related aspects are employed to address all losses, damages or deficiencies. This is where the concept of rehabilitation comes into play.

Rehabilitation involves utilizing all necessary tools to compensate for the setbacks incurred due to the disease, enabling the individual to reintegrate into society as a healthy member. In essence, genuine treatment for substance addiction lies in rehabilitation. However, the detoxification phase, where withdrawal symptoms emerging from individuals ceasing substance use are addressed, is regarded as part of the treatment process. It's crucial to understand that detoxification alone is merely the initial step in treatment and is never sufficient on its own. If an individual discontinues treatment during the detoxification phase, relapse becomes inevitable. The real treatment, known as rehabilitation, begins afterward. Rehabilitation encompasses all the necessary treatments to prevent the individual from relapsing into substance use. Therefore, rehabilitation services play a vital role in the treatment process.

What are the standard approaches employed in substance addiction treatment within the framework of rehabilitation services?

For effective substance addiction treatment, a minimum duration of one year is typically required. Rehabilitation or treatment, can be administered in two primary forms: outpatient or inpatient. The initial phase of treatment, known as detoxification or withdrawal, marks the beginning of the rehabilitation journey. During this stage, patients often receive medication-based treatments aimed at alleviating the physical and psychological symptoms associated with withdrawal. Treatment usually commences on an outpatient basis, with the decision to transition to inpatient care being made based on individual circumstances. Standard therapy techniques are employed for both outpatient and inpatient treatments, although treatment plans are utilized to meet each patient's unique needs. While individualized programs are developed, the therapeutic techniques employed remain largely consistent. Rehabilitation centers embrace comprehensive treatment models encompassing various steps, including psychoeducation, group therapy, individual therapy, occupational therapy, educational reintegration, family therapy, vocational training, covering all significant aspects of an individual's life. Nowadays, substance use disorder is viewed as a family issue, emphasizing the importance of family involvement throughout the treatment process. Substance use disorder is considered a family disease rather than an individual's and successful outcomes are often associated with family participation in treatment. In summary, rehabilitation represents a holistic approach addressing all facets of an individual's life. It's crucial to convey to patients and their families that treatment is a prolonged process, with longer durations of treatment correlating with increased chances of recovery and the real treatment begins after detoxification. Equally vital is guiding patients and families to appropriate treatment resources during their search.

As a leading practice in tackling addiction, the Turkish Green Crescent Society aims to address the physical, psychological and social ramifications of addiction by providing outpatient treatment services through the Green Crescent Counseling Center (YEDAM) and inpatient treatment services through Rehabilitation Centers. The objective is to reintegrate individuals into society as a healthy member, compensating for the setbacks incurred due to addiction and supporting post-detoxification treatments.