Drug rehab is a vital part of recovery from drug addiction. Drug rehabilitation has several phases, many facets, and is often a long term process. When an individual enters into a drug rehab program they will go through detoxification. This is the first step on the road to recovery but is by no means the one and only step in the process. A recovering individual needs to learn many new tools to help them re-enter society clean and without the urge to use drugs when difficult situations arise. There are many tricky circumstances a recovering individual will find themselves in once they have left drug rehab. These new tools will help them handle these difficult situations such as running into an old using buddy, finding themselves in past using environments, or even smells and objects that remind them of their using past. All of these and many more are known as psychological stressors. Often, these can hamper an individual’s ability of achieving a complete recovery from drug addiction. However if the individual knows how to address these difficult situations before they leave drug rehab then they have a much greater chance of successfully recovering from drug addiction.

In the beginning, many individuals feel that they can put an end to their drug addiction on their own. This is not usually the case. Self detoxification often does not last very long before the individual breaks down and uses again. Through research, it has been shown that long term drug addiction creates substantial changes in the way the user’s brain functions. These changes continue long after the user has discontinued using drugs. With this in mind, it is important to realize that more than just strong will power is needed to conquer drug addiction. A drug rehab will help the individual with drug cravings, re-stimulation from their past, as well as address the changes in the way their brain functions.

The ultimate goal of a drug rehab is to enable the individual to achieve lasting abstinence from drug use. The short term goal of a drug rehab is to help the individual through detox and withdrawal from drugs in addition to improving their ability to function in society again. A drug rehab will help minimize the medical and social complications of drug abuse.

Patients who stay in a drug rehab longer than 3 months typically have better outcomes than those who stay less time. Those who go through medically assisted withdrawal to minimize discomfort but do not receive any further rehab, perform about the same in terms of their substance use as those who never attended a drug rehab. Over the last 25 years, studies have shown that attending a drug rehab works to reduce drug intake and crimes committed by drug-dependent people. Researchers also have found that drug abusers who have been through a drug rehab are more likely to have jobs.

Inpatient drug rehab is one of many methods whose ultimate goal is long-term abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Those who attend an inpatient drug rehab use the new tools they have learned to help them re-enter society and lead responsible, successful drug and alcohol free lives.

Inpatient drug rehab centers offer support and structure for men and women seeking help for problems with drugs or alcohol. Participants reside on location for the course of the rehab program; lengths of stay vary and may be individualized. Care at an inpatient drug rehab is provided 24 hours a day 7 days a week; this is only one of the benefits of attending a inpatient drug rehab.

An outpatient drug rehab is a program designed to provide long-term abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Outpatient drug rehab programs use a broad verity of techniques. These techniques include a wide range of approaches including problem-solving groups, specialized therapies such as insight-oriented psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and 12-step programs. Similar to other drug rehabs, the individual may stay in the program for several months or longer. Those who attend an outpatient drug rehab do not live at the drug rehab as they would an inpatient drug rehab.

Outpatient drug rehab programs vary in the types and intensity of services offered. Low-intensity outpatient drug rehab programs may offer little more than drug education and counsel. Other outpatient drug rehab models, such as intensive day treatment, can be comparable to residential programs in services and effectiveness, depending on the individual's characteristics and needs. All in all, the ultimate goal of an outpatient drug rehab is to help the individual recover from drug addiction so that they may re-enter society and lead responsible, successful drug and alcohol free lives.

Alcohol rehab is a place where an individual who has a drinking problem can receive help. Rehab is a program that helps the individual with their alcohol addiction and provides them with the tools necessary for a complete recovery.

Alcohol rehab works for many people who have problems with alcohol abuse. But just like any other drug of abuse, the individual has to be committed to make a change for the better. Some people stop drinking and remain sober. Others have long periods of sobriety with bouts of relapse. And still others cannot stop drinking for any length of time. With alcohol rehab, one thing is clear: the longer a person abstains from alcohol, the more likely he or she will be able to stay sober.

The goal of detox is to rid the body of toxins accumulated by drug use. The first step of detox is drug withdrawal. Drug withdrawal is "the act or process of ceasing to use an addictive drug." Once an individual has discontinued using drugs physical and behavioral withdrawal symptoms may follow. Detox is a process that helps diminish the uncomfortable symptoms of drug withdrawal.

Detox is performed in many different ways depending on where you decide to receive treatment. Most detox centers simply provide treatment to avoid physical withdrawal to alcohol & other drugs. A quality detox program will not only to provide the individual with counseling during detox but help with the physical withdrawal and the psychological root cause of the individual's addiction problem, so as to decrease the chances of relapse.

Drug detox can be viewed in three separate stages:

1. Medical Detox: A medical doctor will need to supervise your medical withdrawal from drugs, ensuring you complete this phase safely and with minimal complications. Medical detox can take several days.

2. Physical Detox: Once your body is no longer dependent on drugs, you will need to work on building up your physical health. A nutritionist can be helpful during this phase, enabling you to develop a balanced diet to help you through the rest of the detox process.

3. Emotional Detox: Detox can be extremely difficult on your emotional health, which is why most treatment centers offer counseling during detox. Because drugs have become an integral part of your mental, emotional and social life, you will need emotional help as you detox.

Drug Situation: The most common way of drug trafficking into Louisiana is overland utilizing private and commercial vehicles. Colombian, Mexican and Caribbean traffickers are largely responsible for the transportation and distribution of cocaine, crack, methamphetamine and marijuana into Louisiana.

Cocaine: Cocaine is widely used and trafficked throughout Louisiana. Due to high rates of violent crime in Louisiana, crack cocaine is the foremost concern of law enforcement.

Heroin: heroin distribution and abuse is not a significant threat in Louisiana, with the exception of the greater New Orleans area.

Meth: Methamphetamine is now competing with marijuana as the drug of choice. Meth labs are found principally in isolated, rural communities.

Club Drugs: Club Drug abuse and distribution among young people is on the rise in Louisiana. The university crowd is very involved in the distribution and abuse of club drugs. LSD, GHB, and Ketamine are also available throughout the state.

Marijuana: Marijuana use in Louisiana is on the increase, especially among youth ranging from ages 18-20. While cost and availability is a possible factor, there is a belief among those buying and selling that there is a small chance of being caught by law enforcement.