What is a Drug Rehabilitation Centre?

What is a Drug Rehabilitation Centre?

The question of what a drug rehabilitation centre is and what role it plays in treating addiction, seems to be surrounded by misconceptions. In the media, drug rehabilitation centres are not always accurately portrayed. And often, the media is the public’s only frame of reference for how treatment in a rehab works and how it fits into the bigger picture of recovery from addiction. We’ve put together some important points that will shed light on what a drug rehabilitation centre is and how it can help recovering addicts.

It is a Place of Hope

If you’re considering getting help at a drug rehabilitation centre or pointing someone in the right direction, do not let fear hold you back from making a decision. Drug rehabilitation centres are one of the only places where addicts are not judged as being morally bereft people who deserve to be treated as less than human. To the contrary, drug rehabilitation centres are places of hope, where addicts are understood rather than judged. What addicts are shown, is that they are not inherently bad people but that they have a disease. And while it is not their fault that they have the disease of addiction, it is their responsibility to learn how to arrest and manage their recovery, once they have been empowered with the right knowledge. In that sense, drug rehabilitation centres are often the first encounter that addicts have with non-judgemental professionals who understand the pain and trauma of addiction, and who have compassion for addicts.

It is a Hub of Knowledge and Experience

While it is not always the case, there are many instances in which counsellors who work at a drug rehabilitation centre, are recovering addicts themselves. The effectiveness of one addict helping another is often life-changing. Counsellors who have been through the difficulties of early recovery and who have learnt how to rebuild their lives and develop thriving relationships, are often the biggest source of inspiration to an addict who is new to the recovery process. Counsellors at a drug rehabilitation centre are wellsprings of knowledge and experience. They are trained to guide the recovering addict towards dealing with some of their core issues and provide a way forward that is practical and grounded in real-life, first-hand experience.

It is Part of a Lifelong Process

One of the biggest misconceptions about drug rehabilitation centres, is that they are where addicts go to “get cured.” What we know about addiction, is that it is not a disease that can be cured, but it can be arrested and managed. Therefore, going to rehab is part of a lifelong process. Learning that there is no easy way out and that recovery involves some pivotal, life-changing decisions, can be daunting. But recovering addicts are encouraged to literally live life one day at a time – sometimes even an hour at a time. There are a number of ways that addicts learn to cope with their emotions and build new networks of support after treatment. One of those ways is to join a 12-step fellowship like Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous. Also, many addicts decide to stay in contact with their counsellors and to have regular sessions on a private basis after treatment. What is important, is that recovering addicts are eased into the process. As many have said, it is not an easy process, but it is definitely worthwhile.

If you or a loved one needs advice on how to find recovery, know that help is readily available. Contact us for a free consultation and we’ll support you in your journey.

Stories of Recovery

• The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
  Oliver VG
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• On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
  Johan B
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• I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
  Carla S
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• "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
  Angelique J
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