Drug and alcohol treatment is readily available to people who live in Phoenix, Arizona. A substance abuse problem can wreak havoc in a person’s life if they allow it to. Before they know it, they could end up without a job, a family, or much of anything to call their own or show for their life. People need to know that there is hope for them and that it is possible to recover from their addictions.
So many people decide to attempt to stop using on their own without any type of professional help or support. Unfortunately, most of them are not successful and only contribute to the dangerous cycle of addiction in their lives. The right Arizona treatment program can make such a big difference, and it is important to understand what that entails.
The Need for Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Phoenix, Arizona
There is no denying that Phoenix, Arizona is a beautiful place to live. But so many people who live in the local area struggle with drug and alcohol addictions. A lot of people may not know where to turn to get the help they need. Others may feel hopeless and like there is nothing they can do to make any real changes in their lives.
We want people to know that there is hope and that recovery is possible. But we want to take a moment and talk about why people who live in the Phoenix area are in such dire need of addiction treatment options.
The most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health Report from SAMHSA indicates that:
- In the Phoenix area, there are more than 500,000 people aged 12 or older who have used an illicit drug in the past year.
- This number represents 16% of the population and it is similar to the overall addiction rate in Arizona as a whole, which is 16.9%.
- The percentage is also higher than the percentage of people who are addicted in the U.S. as a whole, which is 14.7%.
- 10.7% of people in the local area report having used marijuana at some point in the last year.
- About 6.1% of people report having used prescription painkillers for nonmedical reasons during the past year.
- Only 326,000 people aged 12 or older are classified as having a substance use disorder.
- Many people in Phoenix may also be struggling with co-occurring disorders. 7.4% of adults in the local area reports having had a major depressive episode in the last year.
- 23% of people over the age of 12 reported having participated in binge drinking at least once in the last month.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse offers some interesting statistics regarding opioid abuse and overdoses in Arizona as well.
- In 2018, doctors in Arizona wrote 50.7 opioid prescriptions for every 100 people in the state.
- This is only slightly less than the average rate in the U.S. as a whole, which was 51.4 prescriptions.
- In 2018, there were 1,106 opioid overdose deaths reported in Arizona.
- Deaths that involved synthetic opioids (mostly Fentanyl) accounted for 522 of the total number.
- Heroin deaths accounted for 352 of the total.
- Prescription opioids accounted for 362 of the total.
Statistics From the Arizona Statewide Prevention Needs Assessment in 2018
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System found that among people aged 12 and older:
- 12.2% of them reported using any type of illicit drug.
- 7.4% of them admitted to using marijuana recreationally.
- 22.6% of them said that they regularly participate in binge drinking.
- 50.9% of them said that they currently use alcohol on a regular basis.
- .5% admitted to using heroin at some point within the last year.
- 2.1% of them said that they had used cocaine within the last year.
Our Rehab Center
What Happens During Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs in Phoenix, Arizona?
It can be frightening to go to rehab for the first time. People do not know what to expect, they are stopping their use of substances, and they do not know how they will handle it. But it can help for people to learn what to expect when they make the decision to go to rehab.
Regardless, when a person goes to a professional treatment program, they are in good hands. The best rehabs in Arizona are always careful to personalize their programs to give people a solid chance at recovering long-term.
Drug and Alcohol Detox
Drug and Alcohol DetoxAlcohol and drug detox may be the first step for most people who are in need of addiction treatment. There are some drugs that require people to go through this process, such as:
- Alcohol
- Some types of opioids
- Prescription stimulants
- Illegal stimulants
- Benzodiazepines
Quitting any of the above without detoxing first can have devastating consequences because of possible complications during withdrawal. Going through the detoxification process can help people avoid complications and make their recovery much smoother.
Withdrawal symptoms can be extremely difficult to manage for people who are coming off drugs or alcohol. The types of symptoms people experience will vary, based on the type of drug they have been taking, as well as a number of other factors. Some will be only minor nuisances, such as body aches and pains, headaches and dry mouth. But other symptoms can be really hard to deal with, such as restless legs, severe anxiety and diarrhea or constipation.
A lot of detox programs combine both medical and holistic detox methods when treating their patients. There are many medications that have been approved to treat certain types of addictions and others that have been approved to treat symptoms. The right combination of medications can help to ease withdrawal and make recovery much easier both mentally and physically.
Holistic treatments like a healthier diet and regular exercise can also contribute to a successful detox program. The body was designed to rid itself of toxins and impurities and when it is healthy, this system actually works quite well. Holistic treatments can make that much more possible.
Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Programs
Drug and alcohol rehab is the step that comes after detoxing. This step is just as important because of the need to understand the reasons behind the addiction. It is critical for the root cause of the individual’s substance abuse problem to be identified. Only then can it be properly treated, and that is the real reason people should plan to attend rehab after going through detox.
People start using drugs or alcohol for a lot of different reasons. Substances have become a way to escape stress or difficult situations. They are a way to cope with problems in one’s life on a temporary basis. For many people with addictions, the substances they use are a direct result of attempting to self-medicate a co-occurring disorder.
The term co-occurring disorder refers to the presence of a mental health condition alongside a drug or alcohol addiction. While some people develop mental health issues after they start using, the vast majority of them occur first. It is only after the person experiences symptoms that they attempt to medicate them away on their own.
A lot of people are completely unaware that they have co-occurring disorders. By treating them during drug and alcohol rehab, people have a much better chance of recovering successfully and abstaining from using long-term.
Aftercare Referrals in Phoenix
It would be wonderful if people could be cured of their addictions once they finish detox and rehab. Unfortunately, that is just not the way it works. There is no cure for addiction; there are only ways to treat it and manage its symptoms. That is why it is so important to have a solid aftercare plan in place once rehab has come to an end.
Substance abuse treatment should be ongoing, and most people will “step down” to various levels of care as they progress in recovery. For example, a person may begin by attending an inpatient facility and then afterward, they may transition into an intensive outpatient program and sober living. From there, they may move into a more traditional outpatient rehab setting and start going to AA or NA meetings in Phoenix.
There is no one “right” aftercare program for everyone. The types of treatment that are recommended should be decided upon on an individual basis.
What Types of Rehab are Available in Phoenix, Arizona?
When it comes to drug and alcohol rehab, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Everyone has different needs during treatment. That means it is important for people to get the type of help that will work best for them.
There are several ways for people to get help for their addictions in Phoenix, AZ. Most people will experience more than one of the following at some point in their lifetimes.
Inpatient Programs
Inpatient rehab is what most people think of when they think of drug and alcohol treatment. This term refers to a 28-day stay in a facility that often offers both detox and rehab services. It is where most people begin when they are ready to recover from their addictions.
Inpatient programs can be instrumental in people’s lives. They remove any distractions from the outside world and allow people to really focus on recovering. They address both the physical and psychological aspects of the addiction and can help people with other mental health issues – or co-occurring disorders – as well.
Traditional Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient rehab programs are often available to people who need a lower level of care. These are individuals who have typically been through an inpatient program or an IOP in the past. They are usually not the right choice for those who have never had any other form of treatment before.
When a person attends an outpatient rehab, they usually meet with a therapist on a regular basis. In the beginning, appointments may be scheduled weekly. Eventually, that can stretch out to bi-weekly or even monthly. Many therapists also offer support group meetings for their clients.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
Intensive outpatient programs can provide people with a lot more support, but still allow them to recover without going to an inpatient facility. They have gotten more popular in the last few years because of the need for more flexible options for rehab.
IOPs often operate during the evening hours, although there may be some that are held during the day. People attend appointments several times throughout the week for a few hours each time. During those appointments, they participate in many types of treatment. For instance, they may have group and peer therapy sessions.
IOPs are a great option for people who need a higher level of care but who cannot commit to inpatient programs. They offer a lot of support, which is essential for a successful recovery.
Sober Living Homes
Sober living homes can be a wonderful resource for people who are recovering from addictions. There are all different types of sober living homes. Some offer in-house treatment programs and others require people to attend their own outpatient rehabs.
Sober living is a great way for people to get back on their feet. They have the support of others who live in the home, which is desperately needed during this stage of their lives.
Long-Term Rehab
Long-term rehab programs are often needed for those who have been addicted to drugs or alcohol for a long period of time. For some people, simply going to inpatient rehab is not enough. They need more, and going to a long-term rehab can meet their needs.
These types of facilities are also all very different from one another. Some may offer detox services in-house, or they may provide people with referrals. They typically allow people to stay for quite some time; as long as six months in some cases.
How Many Addiction Rehab Centers are There in Phoenix?
Of the more than 400 drug and alcohol treatment centers in Arizona, 44 of them are located in Phoenix according to the SAMHSA treatment locator tool. Of these programs:
- 9 of them offer detox services to their patients.
- 3 of them are sober living homes.
- 25 of them offer telehealth services.
- 4 of them provide hospital inpatient treatment services.
- 40 of them offer outpatient care.
- 9 of them are inpatient residential programs.
- 26 of them have intensive outpatient treatment.
- 8 of them provide long-term inpatient care.
Of course, there are additional options for drug and alcohol treatment outside of Phoenix. But for those who really want to go to rehab close to home, they have many programs to choose from.
What to Look for in a High-Quality Phoenix Substance Abuse Treatment Program
Not all drug and alcohol treatment centers are the same. There are many in Phoenix that offer a high level of care and they have good success rates. But it is not always easy to tell which ones will be beneficial and which ones should be avoided.
The following is a list of criteria that people should look for to determine whether or not an addiction treatment program is one to be considered.
- They keep their patient/client population small. One thing is for sure – people should not be made to feel like they are nothing more than a number when they go to rehab. They should feel valued as individuals with their own needs as they recover. A smaller patient population can ensure this because the patient gets more of the staff’s time and attention.
- They should be accredited by The Joint Commission. They have really high standards for their rehab programs and facilities need to consistently meet those standards in order to maintain their accreditation.
- They should have a physical address listed on their website. Sadly, rehab scams are very real, and a lot of people have gotten hurt because they did not know how to identify a scam. If a physical address is not listed, or if it is not possible to speak with staff at the facility over the phone, these are indicators of a scam.
- They should understand the importance of detoxing off drugs and alcohol. Not all rehab programs offer detoxification services, but if they do not at least offer their patients a referral, they should be avoided. There are so many complications that can arise when a person stops drinking alcohol or using drugs. Detoxing should be a priority because sometimes it is necessary to keep people safe.
- They should offer dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders. About 50% of people who have substance abuse problems also have mental health issues that are contributing to their addictions. Dual diagnosis treatment treats both at the same time, and it is much more likely to lead to a positive long-term outcome.
- They should have excellent reviews on Facebook, Google and Yelp. It pays to take some time and review these pages. What are past patients or clients saying about the program? It may even be possible to contact these people to get more information about their experiences.
Intervention Services in Phoenix: Should Families Consider Getting Help?
Addiction is a horrible disease that not only affects the person who is using; it also impacts families. So many people have loved ones with substance abuse problems and they do not know what to do. They may try to talk with them about the need to go to rehab, but most of the time, those talks only cause more resistance. It can be hard for families to cope, which is why many of them consider intervention services to help them.
An intervention is a meeting that involves an intervention specialist (sometimes referred to as an interventionist), the addict and the addict’s friends and family. The addicted individual is not aware that arrangements are being made for the meeting and when it happens, it is a surprise.
Once an interventionist’s services are obtained, they will meet with the family to discuss the situation. They will get an idea of what the family has been going through and how they have been managing. These specialists should always be certified professionals who have done interventions in the past. They will talk with the family and even offer therapy. They will also look for any enabling behaviors and bring them to the family’s attention.
What Happens During an Intervention?
The time period leading up to the intervention is critical. The specialist will provide instructions to the family regarding writing letters to the addict on the day of the meeting. The letters should be heartfelt, honest and loving, but they should always end with a plea for the addict to get treatment.
On the day of the meeting, someone will bring the addict to a neutral site for the intervention. They will be asked to listen closely as everyone reads their letters. The interventionist will give the addict time to respond and will encourage them to get the help they need to recover. Interventions tend to be really emotional, and quite often, the addict will agree to go to treatment directly after the meeting is over.
If they agree to leave for rehab, this should always take place right away. The family can help facilitate this by providing the interventionist with the proper insurance information so they can make the appropriate arrangements. The addict’s belongings should be packed so that when the meeting is over, they can immediately go to rehab.
The good news is that interventions are often successful. Many specialists have a success rate that is higher than 90%.
What Happens After the Intervention?
After the intervention has taken place, the family should try to remain as involved in the addict’s treatment as possible. They should participate in family sessions, if needed and work hard to eliminate any enabling behaviors. This is the best way to help keep their loved one on track.
SpringBoard Provides a Holistic Approach to Rehab
Experiential therapy is a therapeutic approach developed in the 1970s that encourages patients to address subconscious or internal issues through active experiences, movement, guided imagery, and the use of props or tools to enhance these activities. And unlike the usual Tucson or Phoenix rehab (drugs and alcohol) facility, in Scottsdale SpringBoard Recovery has perfected holistic healing through experiential therapy. We offer 3 key services that are essential to the efficacy of this approach: group counseling, yoga, and art therapy.
Group therapy is a general term for any type of therapy aimed towards recovery in two or more people. Yes, your one-on-one session with your therapist can be your primary source of insight; but more people means more unique life experiences, hard-earned lessons, and a community spirit free of judgment and full of inspiration.
Take a look at the advantages of group counseling:
- Shared education about each individual’s recovery process – You never know when another member can open your eyes to some ingenious and healthy coping methods or problem-solving tips you haven’t tried before.
- Peer observation and empowerment – The temptation to fall into relapse could be overwhelming, but it’s not irresistible especially when there are people who are responsible for you as much as you are responsible for them. A unified routine will make treatment activities second to nature; and you can never go wrong with good influence gained from others.
- Developing new relationships – Addiction is reliable only in its power to destroy a person’s connections with friends and family. Group counseling reopens doors to friendships that are strong and true, forged within the rehab center’s walls and reinforced as you reenter society together.
Yoga is a Hindu discipline that emphasizes spirituality and abstinence. It is geared towards health and relaxation achieved through breathing control, the adoption of specific bodily postures, and meditation. SpringBoard Recovery differs from your average Mesa or Phoenix rehab (drugs and alcohol) center in the sense that we recognize how yoga is not doable only by people who are religious or in perfect physical shape. Our yoga program is tailored so that its principles are utilized to target drug and alcohol addiction.
An exercise routine that eliminates substance addiction – sounds too farfetched, right? On the contrary, nothing is more important in recovering from addiction than learning to take control of your mind and body. Here’s how yoga comes into play:
- Control of your own mind – We can’t deny how there are times when we know we’re about to make a bad decision but we go and do it anyway. The lack of self-control: this is the most formidable enemy of addiction recovery. You must choose to be stronger than the urge. Through yoga’s focus on meditation, it develops the brain’s prefrontal cortex – the part responsible for choice.
- Strengthening your determination – In yoga, you learn an array of bodily postures that can range from simple to acrobatic. This challenges you to step out of your comfort zone; and when you successfully learn a new position, you are rewarded with a confidence boost – much like how you detach yourself from the comfort of addiction and celebrate your courage when you reign victorious in your struggle.
- Getting that natural high – The root of substance abuse is the physical effect it produces, the very thing that helps us escape from our troubles: the light-headedness, those captivating hallucinations – these are all external stimuli. Yoga redirects our attention inward as it detaches us from our physical senses, silencing their constant demand for external pleasures. Each posture is an exercise that helps the body release endorphins, chemicals that function as natural pain killers and produce a “good feeling” similar to the effects of morphine.
Art therapy is an approach to recovery that fulfills spiritual and emotional needs through creative media such as drawing, painting, sculpture, acting, dance and music. It encourages openness and expression when we couldn’t find the words to say what we think and feel.
Here’s how art therapy breaks the barriers towards recovery:
- Communication – Addiction sufferers are almost always unjustly subjected to discrimination and embarrassment. Here at SpringBoard Recovery, we understand that some experiences can be too painful to tell in words. Our art therapy allows you to be completely honest within the safety of a canvas, the edges of paper and the poetry of song and dance.
- Tapping into the subconscious – It’s one thing to be completely aware of how you feel and another to be able to address even your repressed thoughts and emotions. Complete recovery is not possible if the problem isn’t taken out root and stem. Art therapy encourages free drawing and doodling as instruments of graphology or understanding your inner character through the study of written symbols. The more we know you, the more we can help. And the more you understand yourself, the more you can heal.
- An essential distraction – Idle hands are the devil’s tools, as the quote goes. We are constantly driven to keep ourselves occupied and if nothing stands between us and our vices, we will never be able to say no. Art therapy gives you an opportunity to develop new artistic skills and improve your inherent talents. This way, your healing continues outside rehab: your newfound hobby will keep your mind from wandering off into unwanted places.
Of course, we will not force you to paint or do yoga if you aren’t comfortable with these programs. You can rest assured we will find the program that suits your needs best. We aim to prove that more than any other Chandler or Phoenix rehab (drugs and alcohol) facility, SpringBoard Recovery puts value into rehabilitation methods that go beyond the hackneyed approach – anything and everything we can do to help you become your normal self again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Addiction?
An addiction is an illness and a brain disorder. There are many experts who believe that it is a disease, and for good reason. It is quite similar to cancer, heart disease and asthma in that it requires treatment and there is no known cure for it.
When a person has an addiction to drugs or alcohol, the substances they use change how their brain works. Sometimes those changes are short-term, but in some cases, they can last a lifetime. It really depends on the type(s) of drug(s) the individual has been using and how long they have been using.
Addiction does not discriminate. It is not something that only happens to people with a family history or who have lower incomes. But, the chances of a person getting addicted to a drug or alcohol are increased when they begin using when they are young.
What is the Difference Between Abuse and Addiction?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse classifies addiction as a chronic, relapsing disorder that is characterized by drug seeking behaviors. People with addictions will continue to use even when they experience harmful consequences and long-lasting changes in their brains. But the terms abuse and addiction are often used interchangeably even though they mean different things.
Every addiction begins with abuse. The term, drug abuse, refers to the misuse of drugs or alcohol. It can apply to prescription medications that are taken inappropriately as well as to illegal drugs like heroin and methamphetamine.
As a person abuses drugs or alcohol, they experience the euphoric sensations that come with being high or intoxicated. What they are really feeling is the increase of dopamine in their brains, and those surges are typical with just about any drug. As their substance use continues, over time, the brain becomes incapable of making its own dopamine. Instead, it relies on the person’s drug of choice to do it. When that individual gets to the point where they do not feel like themselves unless they are using, that is a sure sign of addiction.
How Long Does it Take to Get Addicted to a Drug?
There are a lot of myths about how long it takes to get addicted to a drug. For example, some people believe that it is possible to get addicted to heroin after just one use. But that is not the case at all.
Every drug is different just like every person who uses them is different. There is no way to tell how long it might take to get addicted to drugs or alcohol. It all depends on the individual and the type of drug they are using.
There are some drugs that might lead to quicker addictions than others. Crack cocaine is an excellent example, and it is not uncommon for people to get addicted to this drug after just a few uses.
What Types of Treatment are Used to Help People With Addictions?
There are several ways to effectively treat drug and alcohol addictions. But every effort should be made to ensure that the type of treatment that is chosen meets the individual’s needs.
The following types of treatment may be recommended for people in addiction recovery:
- Behavioral therapy – Certain types of behavioral therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and system desensitization, work very well to treat substance abuse. They help to shape the way a person thinks about their actions, which can change the way they behave.
- Medications – Various types of medications are often used to treat addictions. For example, people with opioid dependence may be placed on Suboxone or Vivitrol to help with their withdrawal symptoms.
- Treatment for co-occurring disorders, if needed – About 50% of people who go to rehab have co-occurring disorders, or mental health conditions, that need to be addressed and treated. If they are ignored, they can easily cause a relapse later on. Treating them can include certain types of therapy as well as medications like anti-depressants.
- Long-term follow-up in order to prevent relapses – Although addiction is, by definition, a relapsing condition, relapses can be prevented by continuing to get treatment.
How Many People Typically Get Treated for Addictions?
Sadly, most people who need to get treated for drug and alcohol addictions never get the help they need. SAMHSA reports that in 2014, there were 22.5 million people in the United States aged 12 or older who needed to get some type of substance abuse treatment. But only 4.2 million of them ever got the help they needed.
That means that 8.5% of the United States population has a substance abuse problem and only 18.5% of those individuals got treatment.
How Much Does Drug and Alcohol Rehab Cost in Phoenix?
The cost of addiction treatment varies based on a few different factors, such as:
- What type of treatment the individual needs.
- Whether they also need detox in addition to rehab.
- How long they need to stay in treatment.
- Their own individual response to therapy.
- Their history of addiction and relapse.
A quality inpatient program that also includes detox can cost as much as $15,000 or more. Outpatient programs tend to be more affordable simply because there are no costs for food and housing.
But even though it can be expensive to get treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction, rehab is not out of reach for most people. Those who have health insurance will find that they have benefits to help cover these costs. Some may even find that their insurance plans offer 100% coverage in many cases.
Why do People Relapse After They Leave Rehab?
Unfortunately, relapses are far too common once people leave rehab. But most of the time they are the direct result of not getting adequate follow-up care. It can be difficult for people to come to terms with the fact that recovering from an addiction means getting continual treatment. But the reality is that getting the right kind of support makes a big difference.
