Gulfport Treatment Centers

A drug or alcohol addiction is not a life path that anybody consciously chooses to take. It is, rather, a chronic mental illness that is characterized by the same features as other chronic illnesses such as asthma and diabetes. These include a stage of denial and experiencing frequent relapses, even after treatment. Public health officials in Gulfport, MS, are very much aware of the toll addiction has not just on the affected individuals and their immediate social and professional circles, but also on the community as a whole. This is why there is a drive to increase awareness of and access to substance abuse treatment.

Statistics on Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Gulfport, MS

There are a number of areas of concern in Gulfport in relation to drugs and alcohol, which are seen in many other parts of the country as well. These include a significant number of people abusing prescription drugs, and the fact that most of them receive these drugs from their friends and family. Another concern is that, as these drugs do become harder and more expensive to access, addicted people are turning to heroin instead.

Meanwhile, binge drinking is also a problem. Teenage drug and alcohol abuse is something that the city is addressing in particular. The result is that public health officials in the city are building their workforce of professionals who can help improve these statistics.

If you do require help for a substance abuse disorder in Gulfport, MS, you have a number of treatment facilities that you could choose from. These include:

• The Alcohol & Drug Treatment Center
• The CrossRoads Recovery Center
• The Recovery Station

Getting Help for Substance Abuse in Gulfport, MS

Denial, as stated, is a key feature of addiction. This is why it is common for people with a substance abuse problem to have to go through an intervention before they actively seek for the help that they need. How they finally end up getting treatment, however, is almost irrelevant, so long as they get treated for their illness.

Treatment starts with a period of detox, which can last anything from a day to several weeks or even longer. This period must be medically supervised, so that patients can manage their withdrawal symptoms and avoid returning to their chosen substance. Once their body is completely clean of the remaining toxins and chemicals, the physical addiction has been resolved.

The psychological addiction, however, usually requires a lot more work. To help manage cravings and to turn their lives around, patients have to undergo rehab treatment. Rehab is offered on either a residential inpatient basis, or through outpatient centers. Both options have their own pros and cons, and it is important to choose the one that works better for your personal situation. During rehab, you will take part in intensive therapy and counseling, through one to one and group sessions. Family therapy is also offered where appropriate. Finally, an aftercare program will be set up that will help you avoid returning to substance abuse once you are officially classed as on the road to recovery.