Why Choose Holistic Northern California Drug Rehab

Although drug-free rehab is taken for granted as the means to recovery, this was not always the case. In the past, the use of substitute drugs has been a traditional means of treatment for a person suffering from substance addiction. During a time when the psychological and emotional causes of drug use were not well known, these substitutions were considered a gentler means to transition from heavy drug use to sobriety. Unfortunately, this was not often the effect.

Historic Rehab Tactics
Formerly, rehab was not a drug-free venture. Once upon a time, synthetic replacements were given to recovering addicts to aid in the transition from addict to recovering addict. For those who were addicted to morphine and heroin, doctors tried to assist by prescribing methadone. The main problem with prescribing methadone to ease recovery was that the synthetic opiod was, in itself, habit-forming. Developed in the 30’s, its creation was hoped to bring about the end of addiction to heroin and other opiates. However, due to the chemical similarity to its ‘sister’ drugs, a physical dependence can also be formed to methadone. This causes methadone to be problematic for many reasons.

In addition to the potential for physical dependence, these substances do not address the underlying behavioral changes that must be made in order to achieve true overall healing.

The Problem With Use of Synthetic Stand-Ins
Unfortunately, drug-centric rehab is not a reliable way to recover. Because of the nature of addiction, attention must be given to physical healing. However, bad habits and attachment to old behaviors must be banished for true healing to begin. Substance abuse is a response to psychological triggers; thus without healing, those painful psychological stimuli will still be present.

Northern California Drug Rehab centers understand that drug abuse is a habit formed by repeated habitual behaviors. True healing from addiction requires cognitive behavioral adjustment, an understanding of the fundamental pain that triggers drug-use, and a desire to numb out from the daily psychological burdens which plague the addict.