A very interesting thing is happening in the world of addiction as it relates to criminal behavior. There are countries that are steadfastly moving away from philosophies that portray drug addiction as a criminal behavior and instead place it squarely in the hands of the medical profession. In other words, drug addicts are sick people, not criminals based solely on the fact that they use drugs. The United States has led the way in declaring a “war” on the “crime” of drug possession and trafficking. Surprisingly, or unsurprisingly to some in the medical community, this attitude has instead demonized people that other more progressive and effective countries view as sick. It’s important to find a drug treatment center for anyone that is suffering.
Drug Policy: US vs. Portugal
Portugal had a terrible drug problem only a few short years ago. They had been dealing with it by using the U.S. philosophy of all out war on drug addicts and the drugs they use. After listening to research and differing views of opinion, Portugal de-criminalized many varieties of drug abuse. Instead of sending addicts to jail, they would place them in the hands of medical communities and levy fines against them. The results shocked people. Instead of overdoses and drug addiction going up, it actually stayed the same or went down in some areas, especially in terms of deaths. While the U.S. continues its raging war on drugs with no results, or worse yet, worse outcomes, Portugal’s drug problem has drastically improved. In fact, it’s improved so much that many people are beginning to wonder if the medical profession is correct. Drug addiction isn’t a crime. It’s an illness.
Miami Drug Treatment Centers
Miami treatment centers can’t help addicts who never get to them because they’re already in jail, but they can help those fortunate drug addicts that manage to escape prison time and enter rehab. These centers have become widely accepted as one solid approach to helping people deal with or rid themselves of their drug addiction. When addicts enter rehab, they are often medically detoxed and then assessed so that counseling or group sessions can be recommended. Halfway houses and long-term treatment have become one of the most preferred methods for helping addicts escape active drug addiction. While no drug addict can ever return to drug use and expect not to have horrible consequences, they can learn to live a sober lifestyle that brings them happiness.
The journey
The journey always begins with locating a good treatment center. Hallmarks of good treatment centers include qualified staff, adequate facilities to deal with the number of addicts living there, and dual diagnosis programs. Dual diagnosis has been a hot topic in drug addiction treatment centers lately because it’s so important for addicts who have underlying mental illness to receive treatment for the illness behind the illness. If a drug addict his bipolar disorder, for example, ceasing drug use will definitely help them in the short-term, but the likelihood of relapse is many times higher if the bipolar disorder is left untreated. A good facility will always keep qualified psychiatrists who know how to look for the signs of mental illness in combination with addiction.
The journey of recovery is a rewarding one and it’s certainly worthwhile but it’s not an easy road for an addict to take. They often must lose a lot in their lives before they even seek treatment. They may come to rehab minus a job, home, or even friend because of the behavior they exhibit while they’re using. Thankfully there are treatment centers out there that will always be there for them to turn to when they’re ready. Most importantly, addicts do have to be ready to recover and they have to be willing to suffer through the uncertainty and hard reflection that recovery requires. If they’re willing to do that, though, even the most rock bottom drug addict can bring themselves out of the dirt and recover their lives and perhaps even relationships, too. The road won’t be an easy one, especially for those who must watch them struggle, but in the end you see a person who lost their entire life slowly regain parts of themselves they thought were lost forever. Rehab also brings about sometimes lifelong bonds that endure because they are so strong. It’s like some addicts have escaped from a war and now they are clinging to hope with the people around them.
*Our content is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis of individual problems or circumstances, nor should it be implied that we are a substitute for professional medical advice. Users / readers are always advised to consult their Healthcare Professional prior to starting any new remedy, therapy or treatment. Your Wellness Group accepts no liability in the event you, a user of n-gage and a reader of this article, suffers a loss as a result of reliance upon or inappropriate application of the information.