Even though Philadelphia has a youthful population and more than 80% of residents complete high school, the city is not necessarily an easy place to live if you are a young adult. With unemployment rates approaching 11%, you may struggle to find work, particularly if you dropped out of high school early and don’t have all the necessary qualifications and skills. Then with crime rates far higher than the US average, you are more likely to become a victim of crime in the city, which can affect you emotionally. These and other problems can take their toll on your mental well-being and while there are support groups in Philadelphia that can offer help, you may find that you turn your attention to drink and drugs as an alternative coping mechanism.
Government statistics show that alcohol is by far the most popular substance abused in the city, with alcohol abuse accounting for 40% of addiction treatment admissions. However, marijuana is also a popular substance, with cocaine and heroin following behind. You may even find yourself abusing prescription drugs, as abuse of painkillers and anti-anxiety tablets are also common in Philadelphia. Speed and crystal meth are less favored by residents, but if you are seeking a rush and better energy levels, you might be tempted by these amphetamines. Whether you find yourself drinking large amounts of beer, cider, wine or spirits, and whatever your drug of choice, using addictive substances to help you get through your problems is never a good idea. Not only can they leave you feeling worse owing to the negative effects they have on your body and mind, but they also create other issues that add to your difficulties, which can result in a vicious circle that is not easy to escape. Thankfully, Steps to Recovery can help you break the hold of alcohol and drugs. By enrolling on one of our alcohol and drug addiction programs near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we can help you build a brighter future.
Understanding Addiction
It is easy to think that you are in control of your drinking or drug taking. However, that glass of red wine you pour yourself each night can soon become two or three, or before long you are lining up the shots of Bourbon. Equally, while you might just start off smoking a joint at the weekend, you may find yourself using marijuana during the week as well or adding other drugs into the mix. This is because with alcohol abuse and drug abuse these addictive substances cause changes within your brain, particularly the areas that control judgment, making decisions, learning and memory, which encourages you to keep using them. While not everyone who starts drinking or drug taking becomes addicted, certain factors make you more susceptible to addiction. For example, if you grew up in an area of poverty, experimented with drugs at a young age, struggled at school and didn’t have a good relationship with your family, you are more at risk. However, factors such as your genetics and your mental health also determine whether you are more likely to develop a problem with substance dependency.
As addiction can creep up on you, it is important to be aware of the signs that you have become a victim. An early signal is that you are drinking more heavily and using higher drug doses to attain the same feelings that your substance of choice initially gave you. You may also find that with time you can’t go long without needing to drink, pop a pill, smoke or inject your chosen drug, as otherwise your body starts to crave the substance it has become dependent on; if you don’t act on these cravings you will experience withdrawal symptoms, which is why you feel the need to have the addictive substance close to hand. Another noticeable sign of addiction is that you start to neglect everything that is important in your life, as your focus shifts to sourcing and taking your preferred substance to achieve the high you have become accustomed to. One of the most serious indicators of alcohol and drug dependency is when you keep up your habit despite suffering the consequences of it, which may mean alcohol poisoning, an overdose, a decline in your physical or mental health, dropping out of college, losing your job or having a run in with the law.
Even when drug abuse and alcohol abuse have caused significant damage to your life it is never too late to seek help. If you want to turn your life around, Steps to Recovery can help you do so at one of our drug and alcohol treatment facilities close to Philadelphia PA.
Accessing Addiction Treatment in Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Whatever substance you have become addicted to, we can help you to overcome the hold it has over you. Among the recovery programs we offer are:
- Detox from alcohol and drugs, including opiates, stimulants, hallucinogens and prescription medications
- Rehabilitation for opiate addiction, including heroin and prescription painkillers
- Rehab for cocaine addiction, whether crack or coke
- Treatment for amphetamine dependency, including speed and methamphetamine
- Recovery from dependence on cannabis
- Treatment for addiction to other hallucinogenic substances like ecstasy and LSD
- Recovery for dependency on benzodiazepines, antidepressants and drugs to treat insomnia
While certain circumstances mean that a residential stay is the most suitable addiction treatment option for you, we will always take your preferences into account, so you can also choose from partial hospitalization and outpatient alcohol and drug recovery programs in Philadelphia PA. Our dedicated team is always ready to discuss the options available to you for addiction therapy to help you decide which form of treatment is right for you.
Approaches to Addiction Recovery
With a range of drug and alcohol recovery programs available in Pennsylvania you may think that all the facilities offer a similar service and it is simply a case of choosing that closest to you. However, this is not the case. The standards of addiction treatment programs varies widely and it is important to select one that will give you the best chance of a good outcome. There are certain features you should look out for when choosing your treatment provider for recovery from substance dependency and Steps to Recovery is able to meet all of these:
- Provision of tailor-made treatment programs. No two clients are ever alike, which means that their alcohol and drug addiction treatment should reflect this. By providing customized therapy and activities you receive treatment focused on your needs, so you are more likely to kick your habit and stay sober.
- Use of evidence-based treatments. It is essential that all therapies used are backed up by clinical studies, as this shows that they are not only effective, but also safe. This ensures both your success and well-being.
- Offering comprehensive treatment programs. While talking therapies are a key aspect of recovery from drug and alcohol abuse, other treatments also are of value, such as complementary therapies. Activities such as skills development and recreation also have their place and can help a recovering addict to achieve abstinence.
- Provision of dedicated support. From offering empathy and encouragement when you first enter alcohol and drug rehab to arranging aftercare services once you complete your treatment for substance misuse, you need support on every step of your journey to achieve lasting sobriety. On top of this at Steps to Recovery we help to remove the stigma associated with addiction, which makes participation in treatment that bit easier and with our own experience of rehabilitation for substance dependency we can really relate to your circumstances. You can also be sure that we always stick to our word.
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Therapy Philadelphia PA
When you start rehab for alcohol and drug abuse you will take part in a range of talking therapies designed to help you give up your habit. During one to one counseling these talking therapies are adapted to your specific needs so you will receive those most likely to offer you benefit given your circumstances. Whichever type of counseling is identified as most suited to you, this is a chance for you to openly discuss the problems you have faced and how these contributed to your substance dependency. With these out in the open it is possible for you to work with an addiction therapist to identify how you can move forward, putting a plan of action together to help you cope with your difficulties and personal triggers for drinking and drug taking. You will also have the chance to work through other problems as part of a group, but these interactive sessions bring a lot more ideas for discussion and you have the benefit of support from your peers as well as our dedicated counselors. In addition to private and group therapy, family therapy is also recommended. You should definitely consider this if your drink or drug habit has got between you and your loved ones, as through counseling sessions with your family you can start to reconnect. Reforming a positive relationship with those close to you is important, as after completing alcohol and drug rehab in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, you will need their support more than ever to help you stay sober.
Preparing You for Drink and Drug-Free Living
Although counseling sessions help to equip you with the tools to resist triggers and cravings for alcohol and drugs, this alone is not always enough to keep you away from temptation. It is just as important that you are ready to fit back into life at home and in your community, so during our drug and alcohol recovery programs we make sure that you are well prepared for life after rehab. We do this by helping you to expand your skills, which you may find you have gaps in if you were unable to complete school, further training or you are yet to enter the jobs market. You will naturally develop interpersonal skills through counseling sessions and group activities, but we can also help you with practical skills such as time management and applying for work. Besides securing a job, it is also important that you are able to look after yourself, so we can help you with areas such as living on a tight budget and preparing nutritious meals that won’t stretch your finances. With skills in these areas you are better able to cope after alcohol and drug rehabilitation Philadelphia PA, so relapse into your old ways becomes less likely.
Developing Healthy Habits During Rehab
Beyond talking therapies and skills development, we also factor in time to your addiction recovery program for leisure. While this may seem less important than the more structured activities you participate in during the week, these can also bring benefits to speed your recovery and help you stay abstinent after you complete addiction treatment. Firstly, recreational activities are useful for stress management, with stress often a common trigger for drinking and drug abuse. Taking part in leisure pursuits is also a great way to connect with people, helping to bring you closer to your fellow clients and showing you how you can expand your social circle at home. Having positive social influences is vital after rehab for substance dependency, as this will help to keep you on the wagon and away from your old acquaintances who share your old habits. Finally, as activities like ice skating and climbing are a lot of fun to take part in, you will realize that you don’t need to drink heavily or take drugs to have a good time. Making time for leisure activities in your week once you are home is therefore vital and something we would strongly encourage after you complete alcohol and drug treatment Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Another form of activity we recommend is exercise. This is why all our residential clients benefit from regular gym sessions each week. Drinking heavily and abusing drugs takes its toll on your body and mind, and physical activity is a helpful way to restore your physical and mental well-being. Through gym sessions you can work on rebuilding your fitness and strength, and you will also find that you achieve a mental boost thanks to the rush of endorphins you experience. Keeping regular workouts up after addiction treatment will not only help to keep you in good shape physically and mentally, but it will also help to keep you sober, as alcohol abuse and drug abuse are not compatible with a healthy lifestyle.
Meetings and Charities in Philadelphia PA
- Light of the World Church International: 3113 Wharton Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
- Let’s See If We Can Help: PO BOX 8462, Philadelphia, PA 19101
- Help Ourselves Project: 528 South 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143
- Healthy Thoughts: 12575 Chilton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154
- Fountain of Youth Preventive Health: 426 North 59th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139
