The comedian Mitch Hedburg, himself dead of what was likely a heroin overdose in 2006, once joked “Alcoholism is a disease, but it’s like the only disease that you can get yelled at for having.” “Drug Addiction”, or “Chemical Dependency”, whatever one chooses to call it, is a disease; and yes, it is another disease for which angry intervention is often the first and only path to a cure. Unlike cancer or heart-disease, drug addiction grabs the mind and runs with it, turning the physical addiction into an emotional addiction or vice versa; it is perhaps the most insidious disease out there, changing a person from the inside out. Often addicts are unaware or in denial of their addiction. The first step is often discovering that you are chemically dependent. The question then is: what next?

If you are a user and abuser of substances, making the pivotal decision to stop is often impossible without aid and assistance from treatment professionals. It is important that you choose a treatment method that is compatible with your needs. Getting the right information and doing an accurate evaluation of those needs is the work of a skilled professional; you cannot be expected to do it yourself.

As well, for people who have tried on more than occasion to quit their abuse of substances, the best solution remains inpatient treatment at a drug treatment center.

At Cliffside Malibu we understand that each individual has separate needs, and different responses to the drugs to which they are addicted. We can ascertain the strengths and weaknesses of each person when they are admitted.

Naturally, the longer you have been at the mercy of your abuse, the harder it will be to stop. Your life has not only been defined by the chemicals you have been putting into your body; but often your social circle has revolved around the use of substances. Quitting the drugs may very well mean quitting your circle of friends. At any age, peer pressure is major component of abuse. This is another reason inpatient treatment is often the best option; it separates the substance abuser from his mode of addiction – the destructive and enabling social circle which he/she inhabits on a daily basis. Residential treatment for a period of three to six months is often just the tonic to get a person out of such a destructive cycle.

You must make an informed decision about which treatment center is best for you, but Cliffside Malibu makes that decision easy: we have extensive facilities for treating all forms of drug and alcohol abuse – from prescription drugs to crystal meth. Our aim is return you to a healthy, productive lifestyle.

At Cliffside Malibu, we understand drug and alcohol abuse are chronic illnesses. Chemical dependents will be challenged throughout their lives to refuse all forms of drugs, from dealers or simply uninformed friends. We will teach you the warning signs that often lead to relapses; and give you the mental tools with which to fight them.

In our inpatient program we offer counseling, psychotherapy, group discussions and a host of other resources to help you combat your addiction. We will also better equip you to deal with other, seemingly unrelated aspects of your life: research has shown that those who have checked into drug treatment centers and successfully completed their program are statistically more likely to be employed. Studies have also shown that successful drug treatment decreases the number of crimes committed by individuals.

It is often the case that drug abusers have alienated themselves from their families, their coworkers, and their friends. Often, they have “bottomed out”, and have no choice left but to commit themselves to a drug treatment program. It is important that the administrators of such a program be sensitive to the emotional state of the individual. We understand the emotional toll drug abuse has taken on your personal and professional life; and want to assure you we will be caring and supportive every step of the way.

Although you may find the notion of taking a month off from work to be counterproductive, it is often the only remedy for your addiction. You will not be able to find a more serene and scenic environment in which to start on the road to recovery than at Cliffside Malibu, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Many stay away from treatment facilities for fear they will be discovered as “addicts.” We are a fully confidential facility with a strict non-disclosure policy, so your admission to our treatment center will remain your business and your business only.

You have made the toughest, most important decision of your life to seek a drug treatment facility. Now you must choose the right one for you. We encourage you to look at our literature, and consider Cliffside Malibu as you head towards your goal of recovery.

Filed under: Alcoholism, Drug Rehab, Drug Treatment, Drug Treatment Center, Drug Treatment Program on February 26th, 2007