With unemployment rates at 6% and above average earnings, there is a lot to be thankful for when living in Monroeville. However, even though residents are typically better off financially than many other parts of the state, this is no guarantee that they won’t be troubled by other problems. If you have found your worries have got on top of you and you haven’t known where to turn, it is easy to look to substances that can offer you a mental boost. Most recreational drugs promote better mood and can help you relax, but sadly taking these is not the answer to your problems and the likes of cocaine, crystal meth and heroin cause far more difficulties than they ever solve. Although you might not recognize the destruction these addictive drugs are causing in your life, those around you usually can, and your drug habit can also have a significant impact on them too. Once you accept you have a problem with substance abuse though, specialist help is available locally to help you overcome drug addiction. Indeed, Steps to Recovery offers a range of drug addiction programs near Monroeville PA, and enrolling at one of our drug treatment centers greatly increases your chances of freeing yourself from substance dependency on your first attempt.
Risks of Taking Addictive Drugs
Even if you steer clear of hard street drugs, abusing marijuana, prescription painkillers, anti-anxiety pills or antidepressants can take its toll on your physical and mental wellness. Some of the problems you may experience include:
- When you smoke cannabis it irritates your lungs in a similar way to tobacco smoke and is a particular issue if you already have a respiratory condition such as asthma. Long-term marijuana use can also adversely affect your mental well-being, increasing your risk of mental illnesses like depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
- Taking prescription opiates is not necessarily any safer than using heroin, as both pose a risk of overdose and these pills can also damage your liver and kidneys, as well as causing you breathing and digestive difficulties.
- Abusing anti-anxiety medications can leave you lacking in energy, low in mood, confused, forgetful and lightheaded. Benzodiazepines are particularly dangerous for anyone with a history of depression, as their use increases your risk of suicide.
- While antidepressants are prescribed to enhance mental wellness, particularly when taken in high doses you risk developing hallucinations, paranoia, psychosis and even suicidal thoughts. They can also make you irritable, aggressive and disturb your sleep. Antidepressants can affect you physically too, with some linked to an irregular heartbeat, altered digestion and weight gain.
However, drug abuse doesn’t just affect your health, it impacts on most areas of your day to day life. For instance, you may struggle to focus on your studies or work, and find that you need to take increasing amounts of time off. Equally, you may lose interest in those pursuits you used to enjoy and may socialize less. Relationship problems may also arise, particularly if those close to you express concerns about your drug use and you fail to acknowledge that you have a problem with substance misuse. Sometimes your drug habit may even get you into legal trouble if you are tempted to drive when high or you turn aggressive, leaving you with a criminal record.
Time to Seek Help with Your Drug Addiction
If the above is not a wakeup call that your reliance on drugs is destructive, there are other signs that you have problems with substance dependency. Identifying with any of the points below should encourage you to strongly consider enrolling on a program at a drug rehabilitation center close to Monroeville PA:
- You are using ever increasing doses of your drug of choice to achieve feelings of pleasure or relaxation
- You experience withdrawal symptoms on waking, which subside when you have a joint or pop some pills>/li>
- You feel anxious unless you know you have your chosen substance close to hand should you need it
- Drug taking is now your number one priority
- You tried to quit, but despite really wanting to you couldn’t resist the draw of the substance you have become addicted to
- You feel you are no longer in control of your drug taking
Choosing Drug Addiction Rehab
Steps to Recovery offers various drug treatment services Monroeville PA, so whatever your needs, you can find a program that suits your requirements. Whether you are looking to detox from opiates or receive rehabilitation for marijuana abuse, we offer inpatient and outpatient treatment for drug dependency. Taking part in a residential program is ideal if you are looking for intensive rehab in a highly structured environment, with support on hand whenever you need it. The close proximity of our addiction recovery centers to Monroeville also means that your family are within easy reach for visits and to participate in family therapy with you. These characteristics of inpatient drug treatment make it the most effective way to achieve abstinence, with more clients avoiding relapse. However, residential rehab is not suitable for everyone and with the high success rates of all our drug rehabilitation programs, outpatient care remains a suitable option. Rather than daily therapy sessions, you will attend for addiction treatment several times each week, allowing you to remain with your family and carry on with your education or job if you choose to do so. The feasible commute to our substance dependency programs also means that partial hospitalization is also a possibility, allowing you to still receive daily counseling sessions, but stay in your own home while taking part in rehab.
For further guidance on the treatment programs for drug abuse near Monroeville PA that we offer, our welcoming team is always ready to advise you on the services we have available.
Taking Part in Addiction Therapy Monroeville PA
Talking therapies are central to all of our programs, so whether you receive daily treatment or attend for therapy less often, you can expect to take part in a range of counseling sessions. While some addiction treatment facilities may only focus on one to one therapy or group counseling, we offer both styles of treatment to all our clients, with the addition of family therapy usually recommended.
Personalized counseling sessions allows treatment to be tailored to your needs. The principle of client-focused therapy is very important in recovery from substance abuse, as the evidence shows that tailoring therapy to your needs is more likely to lead to a successful outcome, as you are better equipped with the relevant coping strategies that will help you manage triggers for drug taking and associated cravings. In these one to one sessions you will therefore work closely with a specialist addiction counselor to identify the reasons behind your drug abuse and how you can overcome these difficulties. As these sessions are in private and highly confidential, you can feel comfortable raising any personal issues, as you know that the information will go no further.
Meanwhile, when you take part in therapy as part of a group, this is a great learning experience, as you can gain a lot by listening to your fellow clients and taking their ideas on board. You will also find that these addiction therapy sessions are another chance for you to learn more about yourself, which will help you to understand your habit and its impact better. In a group setting you will additionally benefit from peer support, as your fellow clients are there to offer you just as much encouragement as our dedicated team of therapists.
Family therapy is no less important than private or group counseling, as your loved ones are an immense source of support, which is vital once you finish drug rehab Monroeville PA. However, drug abuse can tear families apart and at the least strain your relationship with those close to you. Family therapy therefore aims to restore good relationships and does so by giving you the opportunity to understand each other better. With your bonds renewed, you have a strong support network for when you complete rehabilitation to keep you on the wagon.
Additional Evidence-Based Therapies
All of the therapies we offer clients at Steps to Recovery are based on the most recent scientific research, which reassures you that you have the best chance of quitting your habit through our drug addiction programs. We don’t just provide talking therapies though, as there is clinical evidence that complementary therapies have an important role to play in substance abuse recovery. Many drug abuse treatment centers don’t offer these additional therapies, which is another factor that sets us apart and accounts for our clients’ lower relapse rate.
Complementary treatments range from needle acupuncture to participating in yoga, with each therapy offered known to benefit recovering addicts, such as aiding cravings management. If you have poor mental health, these therapies are especially beneficial, as there is good evidence that they improve your emotional well-being. For example, they can reduce depressive symptoms and relieve anxiety, which may have previously fueled your drug habit and can act as a barrier to lasting sobriety.
Preparation for Life in Monroeville PA
If we didn’t make sure you were ready to slot back into your home life and contribute to your community following drug abuse rehab, we would only be doing part of our job, as we believe that helping you develop essential skills is just as important as any other aspect of your treatment. This is because when you can function well in every aspect of your life you are less likely to revert to your old destructive habits. Therefore we will work with you to identify any gaps in your abilities that may hold you back. If you are still to enter the jobs market or had an extended break from employment, this may mean helping you to develop those transferrable skills that are valued by employers. Equally, we can help you feel more confident with the application process and better prepare you for interviewing. However, if you need help in other areas, which may include practical aspects of managing at home such as sticking to a budget and cooking nutritious meals, we can give you assistance with these also.
Charities and Groups Monroeville PA
- Cross Roads Presbyterian Church: 2310 Haymaker Road, Monroeville, PA 15146
- Healthy Teens: 2628 Mosside Boulevard, Monroeville, PA 15146
- Agape Fellowship Christian Community Center: 2470 Saunders Station Road, Monroeville, PA 15146-4452
Taking Time Out for Recreation
The prospect of intensive residential drug treatment can seem daunting, but your week isn’t filled completely with therapy, as whether you take part in a 30, 60 or 90 day addiction program you will benefit from timetabled leisure activities. With a wide range of pastimes on offer, our varied schedule has something for everyone and is a great time to try new activities like ice skating or climbing. Recreational activities serve many purposes during drug rehabilitation, but they aren’t just designed to give you time out. While leisure time indeed helps you to relax, it is another chance to develop good relationships with your fellow clients and can also highlight how enjoyable a drug free life is, so there’s no need to turn to turn to mind altering substances when you need a mental lift.
On top of the activities that vary from week to week, several times every week you can attend the gym. Physical activity is valuable during drug addiction recovery, as it allows you to get back to good health, both physically and mentally. Offering a natural high, working out is a good option when you want a mental pick-me-up. However, many former addicts also find that they are less likely to return to their drug habit when they adopt a healthy lifestyle, which regular exercise is an important part of, so physical training can help keep you abstinent after you complete drug rehabilitation Monroeville PA.
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