One of the misconceptions associated with substance abuse and addiction is that detoxification is all a person needs to recover from chemical dependency. Addiction goes so much deeper than that though. Detoxification is just the first step that's necessary for individuals that frequently or chronically use substances like drugs and alcohol because it's important to rid the body of the toxins and chemicals that cause physical dependence.

Addiction strips away your dignity, self-esteem, health, and well-being. The whole family suffers from the effects of addiction and it's important to restore healthy communication and positive support. We can help you or someone you know that's ready to take that first step toward recovery overcome dependence to drugs or alcohol and get your life back. Speak with an Addiction Counselor 24 Hours a Day at 202-509-9590 or 1-888-565-6401. Let us help you, you deserve it.

Programs of Treatment Include

Residential Treatment

A residential treatment center, also called a rehab, is a live-in health care facility providing therapy for substance abuse, mental illness, or other behavioral problems.

Medication Assisted Detoxification

Medications are useful at different states of treatment

Full Evaluations

We take the time to evaluate your ecact needs and develp a treatment plan

Follow up Evaluations

We don't stop after treatment. We follow through after your program completed and develop an apporpriate after care plan

Individualized Programs of Treatment

It's not a blanket treatment approch, we look at you as an individual to evaluate the best Detoxification and Recovery Approach

12 Step Programs

A Twelve-Step Program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems.

Behavioral Therapy

Behaviour therapy, or behavior therapy (behaviour modification) is an approach to psychotherapy based on learning theory which aims to treat psychopathology through techniques designed to reinforce desired and eliminate undesired behaviours.

Individual, Group, and Family Counseling

Individual, group, and family counseling services include psychological evaluations, mental health screenings, and professional individual, group, and family therapy.

Skills for Coping and Prevention of Relapse

People in dual recovery learn to identify the warning signs that may lead to a lapse in their abstinence and take positive steps to stay clean and sober.

After Care Counseling

Many addicts have tried and failed various drug rehabilitation and treatment methods only to relapse, sometimes quickly after release.

The use of illegal street drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol and tobacco affect many people in the District of Columbia. Individuals in all age groups are affected by the use of substances and are in need of treatment for their substance abuse problems. Some illegal drugs are more prevalent than others but the disease of addiction affects people of all ages whether it be illegal or legal drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.

When a person starts out using drugs, alcohol or tobacco they don't even think about becoming addicted, this is probably the furthest thing from their mind. Unfortunately poor choices can have dangerous and serious consequences and the risks associated with substance use can and does lead to addiction and dependence.

Illegal Street Drugs, Prescription Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco abuse

Club drugs are very common among teens and young adults. Club drugs are a category of drugs that people use not only to get high and experience euphoria but to stay awake, increase their energy levels, and party for hours or days on end. GHB and Rohypnol are also club drugs that have sedating effects. Both of the drugs sadly have frequently been combined with alcohol and used to commit sexual assaults on unsuspecting victims.

Other club drugs include Ketamine, MDMA or also referred to as ecstasy, and methamphetamine. All of the drugs in this category are considered psychoactive drugs mostly used by young people during raves, parties, concerts, at bars and in nightclubs. Unfortunately the use of club drugs also comes with health risks and when mixed with other substances can lead to death.

D.C. Cocaine Dependancy

Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant that many people abuse to create euphoria. There are many serious risks involved with abusing cocaine which include heart attack, respiratory failure, strokes, seizures, pain in the abdomen, nausea, and possibly sudden death. Sudden death has been known to occur the first time a person uses cocaine; it's rare but has happened.

D.C. Heroin Dependancy

Heroin is another drug that's highly addictive. Heroin is processed from morphine and is abused by snorting the drug, injecting it, or smoking it. Heroin is very dangerous because it depresses the individuals breathing and if a person overdoses it can be fatal. Street heroin has been known to contain toxic additives that can cause permanent damage to the individual's vital organs.

Marijuana Addiction in District of Columbia

Marijuana is one of the most commonly abused drugs throughout the United States. Many people have become addicted to marijuana (cannabis) and have experienced withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the drug. Research shows that people who chronically use marijuana experience difficulties with problem solving, thinking, learning and memory. The use and availability of marijuana varies from state to state but is problematic in all states among all age groups.

Crystal Meth Addiction in D.C.

Crystal Meth is a form of d-methamphetamine that's very addictive and the use of this man-made stimulant drug is very widespread and extremely powerful. Not only is crystal meth easy to get it's inexpensive to buy and when an individual smokes or injects the drug they experience a very intense high. Sometimes a person's high can last for around 12 hours which is part of the reason some people prefer crystal meth.

Crystal methamphetamine is a very serious drug when it comes to the risks and consequences though. There are many very serious physical problems associated with the use of crystal meth. Not only can a person overdose on crystal meth but the individual's heart rate speeds up, the drug increases their blood pressure and can damage blood vessels in the brain when abused. There is also the risk of a crystal meth user's behavior becoming violent. They can experience paranoia, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia. The psychotic symptoms can continue for many months and sometimes for years even after a person stops using crystal meth.

Prescription Drug Addiction in D.C.

The abuse and misuse of Prescription Drugs are increasing throughout the United States and is a major concern in most states. The abuse of opioids which are painkillers is a problem with young people as well as adults. Central nervous systems depressants that are used to treat anxiety and sleep problems are also abused and becoming a problem by people in all age groups. Stimulants are drugs that are prescribed to treat narcolepsy and ADHD but many people abuse these drugs as well to get high.

Some people do legitimately become dependent on prescription drugs due to chronic pain and other medical problems over time but they're not the only ones abusing prescription drugs today. Young people and adults misuse and abuse these drugs to get high and they're suffering the consequences because of it.

Tobacco and Smoking in D.C.

Tobacco is a highly addictive substance that is used by people in all age groups and just as serious and dangerous as illegal drug use. Tobacco use is the leading cause of disability, disease and death throughout the United States. The smoker isn't the only one at risk though. Secondhand smoke causes serious illness and death to nonsmokers also.

D.C. Alcoholism and Recovery

Alcohol is consumed by adult men, women, and legal aged young adults throughout the United States but unfortunately they're not the only ones consuming this beverage. Adolescents and teens are drinking alcohol as well and suffering the consequences at an early age. Binge drinking is common for many teens that drink alcohol and they generally consume large amounts when they do.

Alcoholism is a very serious illness that destroys a person's life and affects the people they love and care about as well. The earlier a youth drinks alcohol the higher their risk is of becoming an alcoholic later in life. Not only are there harmful health conditions associated with alcohol use but it can lead to death. Mixing alcohol with other legal drugs or illegal substances is extremely dangerous and thousands of people have died due to the lethal combination.

As you can see the use of illegal drugs, the misuse of prescription drugs, and the use of tobacco and alcohol have serious health risks associated with them including dependence and addiction. Many people are still in need of treatment for substance abuse including our children. The District of Columbia works diligently educating their residents concerning the dangers associated with addiction and substance abuse and making sure comprehensive treatment programs are available for their recovery.

In the District of Columbia their Department of Health offers many important services which include Addiction and Recovery Services. Their Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration (APRA) is responsible for establishing substance abuse prevention and a treatment and recovery support system of care for the District of Columbia's residents and their families who are coping with the disease of addiction or those at risk of becoming addicted to alcohol and illicit drugs.

APRA promotes access to substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. The District of Columbia's prevention services prevents the onset of tobacco, alcohol and the use of other drugs by children and youth, reducing the progression of risk and increasing protective factors that increase the likelihood of healthy, drug free youth and their families.

The District of Columbia's Department of Health also has a Prevention and Youth Services (OPYS) that utilizes a broad range of proven prevention strategies that include education and information, alternative activities, community based and environmental enhancement programs, and early intervention strategies. Important messages of prevention are utilized during health fairs, community festivals, conferences and other large public gatherings throughout the year.

Drug & Alcohol Addiction Recovery

Recovering from alcohol and drug addiction is never easy but it is achievable with the right treatment, education, and support. Because addiction is a chronic relapsing illness it's important to understand what addiction is, how to avoid relapse, and the skills needed to manage sobriety and recovery. Addiction is a disease that can't be cured but can be successfully managed and the individual can go on to lead a happy fulfilled life.

It's critical that treating addiction includes a wide range of therapies in order to address all the needs of the individual. Individual assessments when entering a substance abuse treatment program helps to identify underlying mental and physical health issues that may play a part in the patient's destructive and compulsive behaviors. Detoxification when necessary helps the drug or alcohol user rid their bodies of the toxic chemicals that lead to physical dependence but treatment must never stop there.

Overcoming Physically & Mental Dependancy

There is so much more than being physically dependent on drugs or alcohol, the psychological and emotional effects of addiction are very serious and in order to successfully maintain abstinence and recover, these areas need to be addressed.

Research shows that many chronic alcohol and drug users continue to relapse if they have underlying mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder that's not being treated. This is referred to as Dual Diagnosis or Co-Occurring Disorder meaning there are 2 illnesses going on and both need to be diagnosed and treated. Mental health problems are very common in people who habitually use drugs or alcohol and when gone untreated makes abstinence very difficult. This isn't an excuse for their addiction but makes a difference in terms of abstinence and recovery.

Individualized Addiction Treatment

Treatment programs need to be individualized and address each patient's unique needs because there is no one treatment that's right for everyone. There are many different types of substance abuse and addiction treatment programs that help people recover from their use and dependence to alcohol, drugs or other forms of addiction. Because everyone's needs are different their form of treatment needs are too. A lot depends on the form of addiction, duration of addiction, and severity of abuse as to whether inpatient or outpatient treatment is best for an individual.

Forms of treatment for substance abuse may include long or short term Residential Treatment, Outpatient Treatment, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, 12 Step Support, and Counseling and Therapy. There is life after addiction and with the right treatment, relapse prevention skills, and positive support a substance free life is achievable.

Holland Residential Addiction Treatment Center

• 6335 North Capitol St. NE
• Suite B
• Washington D.C. 20011
• (202) 509-9590

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