Despite all the years of drug awareness programs and childhood educational initiatives like D.A.R.E., drug addiction continues to plague teenagers and adults throughout the United States. Cases of substance abuse wreak havoc on the lives of users, friends and families alike. Many may not even be aware that they have an abuse problem. In this case, it’s imperative that drug users understand just what exactly addiction is.
What is drug addiction?
Perhaps the most important thing to know about drug addiction is that it’s a disease. It is a chronic illness that affects the brain, pushing a person into continuous and compulsive drug use, even if they’re well aware of how harmful the consequences of substance abuse can be. While initial drug use may be a voluntary decision, over time, repeated use of illicit substances alters brain chemistry. Not only do these changes take away a person’s ability for sound judgment and decision-making, they also instill the brain with a strong impulse to continue taking drugs. Consequently, even if the user seeks treatment, the alterations made to their brain structure make relapse possible and not uncommon.
Why choose Fairwinds Treatment Center for drug addiction care
The professional staff at Fairwinds Treatment Center are well-versed and experienced in treating drug addiction cases. Not only are we capable of handling the surface-level consequences of drug addiction treatment - such as withdrawal - but we understand the mental and psychological conditions that foster this kind of behavior in the first place. Helping a drug user detox is one thing, but helping them to understand what caused them to turn to drugs in the first place - as well as recognize how substance abuse has affected them mentally - is essential treatment that we provide to addicts on the road to recovery.
How Fairwinds’ dual diagnosis approach can help
For 24 years, Fairwinds Treatment Center has helped countless patients overcome all kinds of disorders and addictions, with the help of scores of psychiatrists, doctors, nurses and therapists operating out of our Clearwater, Florida, facility. What makes our treatment options effective and viable solutions for those struggling with addiction is our dual diagnosis approach.
The key to treating and overcoming addiction is to thoroughly understand the mental processes that drive your addiction. Drug addictions don’t just appear out of nowhere. There may be some underlying psychological condition that first pushes you into using narcotics, which in turn can exacerbate your condition, prompting further drug use. It’s a deadly cycle that can inflict significant levels of harm on you and your loved ones, and Fairwinds Treatment Center is one of the few clinics in the country qualified to address the many elements that may contribute to your addiction.
With our evaluation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) as a dually licensed rehabilitation center for both psychiatric and substance abuse treatment, we are uniquely positioned to not only address your addictions but discover - and help treat - the mental conditions causing them. Our team of professionals, led by renowned board-certified psychiatrist Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef, are trained and experienced in catering to your physical, mental and emotional needs, giving your life the balance it needs.
If you or a loved one has been suffering from a substance abuse problem, the situation is far from hopeless. You can get the assistance you both need and deserve from Fairwinds Treatment Center. Contact us today to learn more about how dual diagnosis-based treatment can help you and your family.