In more formal terminology, drug addiction is referred to as substance dependency. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) defines drug addiction as: “When an individual persists in [the] use of alcohol or other drugs, despite problems related to [the] use of the substance, substance dependence may be diagnosed. Compulsive and repetitive use may result in tolerance to the effect of the drug and withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced or stopped. This, along with substance abuse is considered substance use disorders.”
For the most part, drug addiction has been occurring throughout recorded history and some evidence dates back as far as the Neolithic Era (New Stone Age) around 6,000 years ago. Narcotics were being used as far back as 4,000 BC and the Chinese were using marijuana for medicinal purposes as early as 2,737 BC. Interestingly enough, many drugs were not regulated until the 19th century and outlawed after that.
Although drug addiction rehab didn’t make its presence felt until the mid 1960’s when L. Ron Hubbard wrote his book “The Fundamentals of Thought”, attempts to treat it along with alcoholism were being made in 18th century European asylums. Unfortunately, medical professionals of the day treated alcohol and drug addiction as they would schizophrenia. The concept of drug addiction rehab became prevalent when Hubbard distributed his book among inmates in the Arizona prison system who had been incarcerated for drug abuse.
Drug addiction rehab has evolved significantly from a generalized, one-size-fits-all approach that treated all individuals the same, to a wide range of addiction treatment and recovery programs that target the personal needs of the individual and are unique to them alone. You can enter programs that are age or gender specific, geared towards the corporate executive, or focus on luxury and privacy. It’s just a matter of finding the right ones so that you experience a successful recovery and remain substance-free for life.
One of the most powerful and impacting stages of the drug addiction rehab program is detox or detoxification wherein the individual is completely weaned off the drugs to remove all accumulated toxins. Usually detoxification is conducted as a residential program and lasts from 2 to 8 days but in some cases, it stretches for nearly 10 days. This is the most critical stage and to ensure complete recovery detoxification phase must be done completely.
