Recovering from drug addiction is often a multi-faceted, multi-phase, long term process. For many, attending a drug rehabilitation facility is the solution to achieving recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. The first step to recovering from drug and alcohol addiction is detoxification. It is important to know, physical detoxification alone is not enough to help an individual make a complete recovery. This is where professional help plays a large part. For an individual to make a successful recovery, they need new “tools”. These new tools include strategies for when they return home from drug rehab and encounter someone from their days of using. As well as ways to handle returning to their same using environment and places where there are smells and objects from their past. These items can generate memories which can produce psychological stress. These psychological stressors often hinder a recovering addict making it very difficult for them to feel as though they have control over their life.

In the beginning, all addicts feel as though they can conquer their drug or alcohol addiction on their own. However, usually their attempts fail. Statistically, when an individual attempts to end their addiction and detox without professional help their results are not long lasting. This is because research into the brain of drug addicts shows changes in the way their brain functions long after they have discontinued using drugs or alcohol. This is the main reason why even an individual with will power as strong as steel will find it extremely difficult to end their addiction without help from professionals. With so many obstacles such as drug cravings, past re-stimulation, and changes in the way their brain functions it is no surprise why so many people attend drug rehab each year to successfully recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

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: Mexican drug trafficking organizations control a large majority of the distribution of the meth, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin in Missouri. Numerous small toxic methamphetamine laboratories are found in all areas of Missouri.

Cocaine: A steady supply of cocaine is continuously coming into the metropolitan areas of Missouri. The number of cocaine-related overdose deaths continues to decrease in the St. Louis area.

Heroin: Mexican black tar, and to a lesser extent Mexican brown heroin, are available throughout the state.

Meth: Both Mexican and locally produced meth continue to be available throughout the state.

Club Drugs: Ecstasy is available throughout the state and is brought in from Los Angeles, New York City, and Miami. GHB and Rohypnol have become increasingly available in Missouri.

Marijuana: Marijuana is readily available throughout the state with Mexican marijuana being imported from the Southwest Border. Treatment admissions for marijuana use have grown approximately 400 percent between 1994 and 2001, only exceeded by admissions for methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse.