Will I Get Kicked Off the Police Force If I Go to Drug Rehab for Uniformed Services?

As a police officer, you work hard to keep illegal substances off the streets, and you often feel the pressure of being in the public eye. While many people worry about losing their job due to addiction, you have special concerns considering that you are expected to serve as a positive role model within your community. In fact, you may even work with youth and at-risk adults who rely upon you to be a stable presence in their lives.

Unfortunately, trying to live up to such high expectations can sometimes cause police officers to experience struggles with addiction in an attempt to mask the effects of the challenges that they face every day. Whether you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, seeking treatment is now your best choice for being able to keep your job and continue to help others in your community. Now that you’ve decided to go to drug rehab for uniformed services, you can take these steps to make sure that treatment doesn’t lead to you being kicked off of the police force.

Recognize the Risk Factors Associated With Police Work

In addition to dealing with high expectations from the community, you are also subjected to increased levels of on-the-job stress every day. This is especially true if your position entails dealing with car accidents, criminal activity or other traumatic scenarios on a daily basis. Since accepting your position, you may have even had to deal with situations that caused you to feel helpless or guilty about not being able to make things better for the people that you assist. Police officers are often portrayed as superheroes in the media, and trying to keep up that persona day after day gets hard.

While you may feel like you are the only police officer to deal with addiction, the truth is that there are other people in your field who also struggle with drugs or alcohol. You just may not hear about it due to the stigma that is associated with addiction in the police field. Being willing to seek treatment is your first step toward finally breaking free from the stigma and taking back control over your life. In drug rehab, you will learn strategies to manage your stress that may include some or all of the following:

  • Practice mindful meditation
  • Burn off negativity with recreational therapy
  • Feed your body and mind with nutritional counseling
  • Form proper sleep habits to restore your energy
  • Learn to address problems as they come in counseling

Know Your Rights As An Employee Seeking Addiction Treatment

In a career where it’s your job to help people take responsibility for their actions, you have obvious concerns about the repercussions that you may face if your colleagues or superiors find out about your addiction. While you are required to abstain from the use of drugs or alcohol on the job, you do benefit from certain types of protections that are in place to help people address addiction without losing their job.

Chemical dependency is considered a disability that is covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the ADA, you could potentially lose your job if your employer finds that your use of drugs or alcohol creates an unsafe environment for you and others in the workplace. However, they cannot fire you for seeking treatment for your addiction. If you are worried about your employer using another excuse for your termination such as taking time off, then check to see if you are eligible for coverage under the Family Medical Leave Act. Your police department may also have other standards and programs in place to help ensure that people get help with mental treatment that could apply to your need for assistance with your addiction recovery.

Establish a Long-Term Plan to Stop Addiction From Affecting Your Career

You know the devastating effects that addiction has on a person’s relationships and career. When you are under the influence or dealing with withdrawal symptoms, you cannot be your best at work. Going to drug rehab gives you an opportunity to start fresh again, but you must continue to do the work after you get home. While you are in rehab, put together a plan that helps you stay sober in the months and years ahead. From identifying people to call after a traumatic event at work to learning how to relax at the end of a hard day, the things that you learn in rehab help you to preserve your position as a police officer.

Are you ready to stop worrying about losing your position at the police department? Our counselors are ready to help you feel proud of what you do when you go to work. Give us a call today at 800-737-0933.

What Are the Similarities and Differences Between Rehab Facilities and Hospitals?

You're ready to get your life back on track and quit drugs, but you aren't sure what type of addiction program is right for you. How do inpatient and outpatient differ? Which type of program is more effective and affordable? Understanding your different options will help you make the best choice for your treatment.

Inpatient Addiction Treatment Options

Inpatient treatment usually involves staying at a facility for a certain duration of time. You are able to gain some valuable distance from your current environment and commit all your energy toward breaking addiction, getting to the root of its cause and gaining valuable coping strategies to help you deal with urges and temptations in the future.

People can rely on short-term and long-term inpatient rehabs to help them have a more hands-on approach to their initial detox and withdrawal. In many programs, continued outpatient support helps ensure that people stay on the right path to sobriety after they leave.

Types of Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient rehab can be either short or long-term. Long-term can range from 30 to 90 days, while short-term could only last a week or two. If you only go to inpatient detox, you will stay for the amount of time it takes you to go through withdrawal. Usually, short-term rehabs have a 12-step approach to treatment that were originally designed to treat alcohol addiction but have been modified to tackle drug abuse too.

Long-term residential rehabs include 24-hour care and more personalized treatment options. Working one-on-one with a substance abuse counselor as well as attending various work shops and group therapy sessions create a productive, uplifting environment that minimize distractions and alleviate temptations.

Types of Outpatient Drug Rehabs

If you seek outpatient therapy for your drug addiction, you have a few options to choose from. Some outpatient facilities only offer routine counseling sessions, while others may offer intensive all-day treatments that incorporate group therapy and addiction therapy with one-on-one sessions.

It's important to understand that while outpatient services can be more affordable than inpatient programs, they're typically more limited in their resources. Group counseling is the predominant focus of most outpatient drug rehabs, and people with a variety of other substance abuse, medical and mental health problems seek rehabilitation at these facilities. Depending on your own needs, outpatient may be better for continued treatment during recovery rather than your initial choice.

Not sure which type of rehab is right for you? Give us a call and we'll go over all your options, leaving no stone not turned. You deserve the best treatment available, and we're willing to work with you and discover the right rehab based off your own circumstances.

Get started with one of our counselors today at 800-737-0933.

Should Couples Go to the Same Rehab?

Some couples are inseparable. Like “partners in crime,” they do almost everything together. They may even abuse drugs or alcohol as a pair and often struggle with codependency. This makes it increasingly difficult for either one of them to quit.

When they finally commit to seeking addiction treatment, they should be allowed to go to the same rehab if its practical. Some rehab centers in South Florida provide drug therapy for couples. However, factors such as the severity of their addiction and each of their mental health needs may affect the decision to treat them as a couple.

Couples drug treatment can be done inpatient (residential) or outpatient and usually begins with detoxification followed by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Recovery will also involve couples therapy to address codependency — a problem which is often at the heart of their addiction.

Addiction in a Codependent Relationship

Codependency between a couple is where one partner feels responsible to care for and meet the physical and emotional needs of the other. Codependency is commonly found in people who have close relationships with someone who struggles with substance use disorder or addiction. One way it manifests itself is when both intimate partners abuse drugs.

Couples in codependent relationships tend to do whatever it takes to please the other partner, including abusing drugs or alcohol together—if that’s what it takes. Codependency also results in a partner neglecting his or her own needs. This makes it much more difficult than normal for them to seek treatment let alone encourage the other partner to get clean.

Benefits of Going to a Rehab For Couples

There are several benefits of couples drug therapy if you and your partner are determined good candidates for treatment at the same rehab.

1. Higher Chance of Completing Treatment

It is common for clients to abandon treatment due to missing their significant other, children, or the comfort of home. Codependent couples themselves have difficulties being away from each other for long periods. Being in treatment together means they can provide emotional support to each other at times when withdrawal symptoms or strong overpowering cravings become overwhelming making them want to quit rehab.

2. Treatment for Codependency

Codependency is associated with underlying issues such as low self-esteem, lack of financial resources, absence of boundaries, or a caretaker mentality. These issues fuel drug abuse between couples and make it harder for them to quit.

Mental health treatment for codependency can help break the cycle of the couple enabling each other’s bad behaviors. It can foster interdependence to help the couple set boundaries and recognize and satisfy their own needs.

3. Reduced Risk of Relapse

According to the Institute on Drug Abuse, 40 to 60 percent of those who seek treatment for addiction will relapse. Notwithstanding, couples who get treated together tend to have a higher chance of staying sober.

Under normal circumstances, significant others, family members, and other loved ones are expected to support and motivate the addicted individual to get help and stay clean. After rehab, the couple can guard each other’s behaviors to reduce the risk of relapse.

4. Couples Therapy

Addiction itself plus codependency often destroys the relationship, although the couple stays together. However, couples therapy has proven to have a positive effect on the relationship even when only partner is in treatment.

During couples therapy, the parties will get a chance to address problems in the relationship associated with drug abuse and codependency. These include financial problems, domestic violence, and neglect of responsibilities. Many couples see improvement in their interaction after understanding how addiction affected them individually, as a couple, and as a family.

5. Post Recovery Support

Addiction treatment doesn’t end after leaving rehab. Staying sober requires using the tips and tools provided in the relapse prevention plan. Couples who are committed to abstaining from drugs or alcohol can help each other manage triggers and cravings.

They may attend 12-step meetings or join sober groups where they can benefit from group therapy. Some couples even sign up for outpatient aftercare services to help keep them on track.

When Couples Drug Treatment is Not Practical

It is sometimes not practical for a couple to get treated at the same time and at the same facility. This may be due to factors such as differences in recovery needs or ongoing domestic problems between them. If you are forced to seek treatment separately, know that your love for each other and the commitment to quit can inspire a successful recovery.

Attending a Rehab for Couples in South Florida

In a codependent relationship where both partners lack control over their addiction, it is much harder for either of them to seek help. Some rehab centers are aware of this and provide structured programs to accommodate and help couples recover together and stay sober. All it takes is one phone call to ask about admission for you and your partner. Call us at 800-737-0933.

Can You Have a Loved One Involuntarily Committed to Inpatient Rehab in Florida?

When you dearly love a person who is battling alcoholism or drug addiction, it is often familiar to wonder if you could invariably have your loved one committed to an inpatient rehab program. Frequently, those who love the person fighting addiction ordinarily see the specific need for inpatient rehab before he or she sees it. Many states possess laws that directly address this topic.

Florida is among the states where you can have your loved one committed to an inpatient drug rehabilitation involuntarily. The laws that may help you in accomplishing this goal include:

- The Emergency Examination and Treatment of Incapacitated Person’s Act
- The Florida Mental Health Act
- The Florida Marchman Act

A collective goal of using the Emergency Examination and Treatment of Incapacitated Person's Act is to force a loved one into a detox program or alcohol and drug detoxification. When using the Florida Mental Health Act, the loved one must possess an underlying mental condition. In most cases, people use the Florida Marchman Act to legally force a loved one into inpatient drug and alcohol programs.

What is the Florida Marchman Act?

The Florida Marchman Act is in place to support families in involuntary commitment to an assessment, detoxification, and/or inpatient drug and alcohol programs when they are unwilling to do it for themselves. The act permits families to petition the court to assess the person, and then order detox or other drug and alcohol-related programs. The person in question does not have to be a Florida resident to have this act invoked on them, just must be present in Florida at the time the petition is filed. Additionally, while an attorney is not always necessary, appropriate assistance with the process is found to be greatly beneficial because the most innocent mistake may cause the case to be thrown out of court.

What is Necessary in Order to Invoke the Act?

To invoke the Florida Marchman Act, it is necessary for three different people with direct knowledge of the person's substance or alcohol abuse to petition the court. It is vital to be able to demonstrate to the court that the loved one has lost self-control due to their drug or alcohol abuse. Because some people do not associate with their blood family, and not everyone is married, the three familiar people can be anyone who possesses the necessary knowledge and concern for the person to be assessed.

After Filing a Petition, how does the Process Work?

To invoke the act, a Petition for Involuntary Assessment and Stabilization must first be filed and a hearing set. You are basically telling the judge you want to have your loved one assessed, and their behavior stabilized. When the hearing is over, your loved one may be held up to five days in so that he or she may be adequately assessed. After this time, a recommendation is made to the court regarding your loved one.

When this is complete, you must then file a Petition for Treatment so that a second hearing may be held. During this hearing the judge will review the assessment and recommendation, and then render a judgment based on the information received. If your loved one violates the court order and refused treatment, or leaves the treatment program, they may face incarceration.

It is often said that while addiction is hard on the ones engulfed directly in the battle, it is equally as hard on those who love them, perhaps in some cases even more difficult. You are looking at the situation with a lucid mind and sober eyes. It is overwhelmingly likely that your loved one's vision is still very much blurred. If you are prepared to undertake the next step, contact us today at 800-737-0933. We are here to be of assistance during these difficult times.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers Help Families Too

If you or your loved one are dealing with both mental health issues and substance abuse, it can be a recipe for disaster. You know help is necessary, but before you choose a rehabilitation center, you must understand the differences in treatment facilities. A traditional rehabilitation center has counselors and doctors, but they usually don’t focus on mental health as much as one that is considered a dual-diagnosis facility.

What Is A Dual-Diagnosis Facility?

A dual-diagnosis center is focused on the treatment of mental health issues and the addiction. How do you know which one is best for your situation? Well, a complete, comprehensive assessment is done to see if this is the right program for someone with substance abuse who also has psychiatric disturbances.

Why the changes to rehab? Well, many people with mental illness fell through the cracks because they didn’t receive what they needed in a typical center. However, things are changing to encourage people to address both issues and enhance their recovery.

Recovering from an addiction is hard enough for the average person, but when you throw a mental health issue into the mix, and it can be impossible to gain the sobriety many seek. The psychiatric condition must be addressed to help erase the need to self-medicate. Do you or your loved ones take substances to try to combat panic attacks or to mask the pain of depression?

It’s not uncommon. However, many go not diagnosed and don’t know that the underlying condition is contributing to destructive behaviors. A dual-diagnosis center helps put the pieces of the puzzle in place so that a complete picture can be seen. Once a physician knows what’s really going on, they can treat both issues collectively.

The Importance of Family Understanding and Supporting The Process

As the family member of someone who is suffering from a dual-diagnosis, it can be quite overwhelming and frustrating. Thankfully, a center that is equipped to handle these issues works both with the individual and their loved ones. Aftercare is just as important as what happens in the facility. Many times, there are broken relationships and things that have gone array because of drug-seeking behaviors. Dealing with a mood disorder or other mental health issue just compounds everything.

Counseling is not only good for the patient but also for the family. Learning how to identify triggers, how to help combat stressful situations, and help your loved one deal with this overwhelming feat is most helpful. Any addict will tell you that their support system means everything in terms of their success. The road to recovery is long and hard, and when more people are walking that path, it will be much easier to find success. Dealing with addiction or mental illness alone is difficult, but when you put the two together, it can be completely overwhelming. Support is the key to getting through this challenging time, and a dual-diagnosis center gives you the keys to overcome.

Making The First Step

They say that the journey of a million miles begins with a single step, and the same can be said for getting help with your addiction. The hardest thing is to make that phone call and say that you or your family member needs help. However, when you call 800-737-0933, our counselors are ready to help you with finding a center that meets your needs. Whether you want to go to a rehab in sunny Florida or stay close to home, we can help. We are ready when you are, so make that phone call today!

How Long Can a Person Be Required to Get Addiction Treatment Under the Marchman Act?

If your loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol, you may be wondering what options you have to seek help for them if they are unwilling or unable to seek treatment on their own. Fortunately, the state of Florida provides a way for addicts and their loved ones to seek treatment involuntarily or voluntarily under the Marchman Act. If your loved one does not reside in the state of Florida, the Marchman Act will not apply; however, other states may have similar legislation.

What Is The Marchman Act

The Hal S. Marchman Alcohol and Other Drug Services Act of 1993 is a Florida state statute that allows voluntary and involuntary assessment and stabilization of individuals who are suspected of abusing alcohol or drugs. The Marchman Act is similar to the Baker Act, which provides for involuntary commitment of an individual with a mental health disorder. In the case of involuntary assessment under the Marchman Act, a court may or may not be involved, and certain criteria must be met. If there is court involvement, filing fees may be required.

How To Get Help for a Loved One Under the Marchman Act

Unfortunately, many addicts are unable to recognize that they have a problem with drugs or alcohol. If your loved one does not agree to seek treatment voluntarily, they can still be required to undergo stabilization and assessment on an involuntary basis. In an emergency situation, an individual can be taken into protective custody without court involvement and held for up to three days. In order to seek involuntary treatment for someone on a non-emergency basis, a sworn affidavit can be filed at your local courthouse in the state of Florida.

The person seeking to have someone involuntarily committed under the Marchman Act must:

  • be able to show that their loved one lacks self-control in regards to drugs or alcohol and is unwilling to seek treatment voluntarily. Additionally, the person who is the subject of a Marchman Act petition must
  • Have inflicted physical harm, attempted to inflict physical harm, threatened to inflict physical harm, or be likely to inflict physical harm to himself or herself or to another person, or
  • Due to drug and alcohol addiction, have impaired judgment to the point where he or she is incapable of making rational decisions.

How Does the Marchman Act Work

Once you have filed a sworn affidavit and a Petition for Involuntary Assessment and Stabilization, a court hearing is set. Following the hearing, your loved one may be held on an involuntary basis for up to five days. A Petition for Treatment must then be filed with the court, and a second hearing will be held. Upon the results of that hearing, your loved one may be held for up to 60 days for treatment of his or her substance abuse disorder. If a judge deems it necessary, there can also be a 90-day extension of involuntary treatment.

If an individual who is court-ordered to treatment under the Marchman Act leaves a treatment facility in violation of a court order, he or she must appear in court and will be ordered back to treatment. If he or she does not comply, the individual will be ordered again to return to treatment or to face incarceration. However, the goal of the Marchman Act is to treat individuals with substance abuse disorders and not incarcerate them.

How Long Can My Loved One Be Held Under the Marchman Act?

If an individual is taken into protective custody, he or she may be detained up to three days. Juveniles or individuals admitted on an emergency basis may be held 3-5 days. With court involvement, 60 days with a possible 90 day extension is the maximum length of time.

Take the First Step To Get Help For Your Loved One Today

Many addicts are in denial about their addiction to drugs or alcohol or feel powerless to seek help on their own and need a concerned loved one to make the decision for them. If this describes your drug or alcohol addicted loved one, you may feel compelled to seek life-saving substance abuse treatment for them, possibly against their will if necessary. Sometimes, this can be overwhelming for the loved one of an addict. Call us today at 800-737-0933 to explore the next steps to getting help for your loved one.

If You Go to Rehab for the 2nd Time, Will the Program Be Different From the 1st Time?

Addiction treatment professionals know all too well that relapses are going to occur. It's a testament to just how difficult is it for someone to beat an addiction. Even with hard work and the best intentions, the insidious nature of drug and alcohol abuse is often too much for some folks to get beyond after a single stint in rehab.

No matter what you are going through after relapsing, you have to know it's not the end of the world. The truth is you are in the majority if you relapse a first time. The best advice we can give you is pick yourself up and get back into rehab. You can rest assured none of your counselors nor the other patients are going to start judging you. The addiction treatment community doesn't work that way.

Of course, your counselors would prefer to never see you struggling with addiction again. If they see you at all, they would prefer it be at a fun and exciting social event where you are eating a steak and enjoying a glass of milk. Still, they are going to welcome you back into rehab with open arms and a new directive to address the issue or issues that instigated your relapse.

With all that said, it's still your responsibility to actually get back into rehab. It's still the only viable option you have if you want recovery. The only thing that's different from the first time you sought help is you will know a bit more about what to expect the second time around. Before you ask the question, there is a good chance your treatment program from your first stint will be modified to address possible weaknesses that clearly slipped through the cracks. For your part, you can come back in with a fighting spirit and newfound determination to beat your addiction once and for all.

Making Adjustments in Treatment

If anything, counselors are usually concerned they missed something in the treatment process. What we know about addiction is substance abuse usually occurs because of personal triggers. Common triggers include:

  • Problems with personal relationships
  • Financial issues
  • Personal trauma, childhood trauma
  • Problems in the workplace
  • Psychological problems

The main objective of therapy and counseling is figuring out exactly what your triggers may be. Triggers plus temptation equal relapse. Since the first stint in rehab failed to clean the attic, it's likely the rehab's counselors and clinicians will want to look at other treatment options that might fill the gaps. The following options would certainly be worth considering.

Ramp Up the Intensity of Therapy

Regardless of how much therapy you endured first time around, there's always room to pick up the pace. In many of today's top rehab center, ours included, counselors have access to a wide range of tools they can use in therapy. Two popular approaches to address relapses would be cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational therapy. Anything that will prevent relapses in on the table.

Cognitive behavioral therapy encourages patients to take a hard look at the thought processes that surround their instinct to abuse a substance. The theory go there's something specific in the thought process that's instigating the behavior. If they can find the flawed thinking pattern, there's a good chance some other treatment tool can fix the flaw.

Motivational therapy takes a different approach. Instead of trying to force the patient to confront their issues, the counselor will try to help the patient discover good reasons not to use. With the right motivations, there's a good chance the patient will find a reason to fight harder against their addiction.

Build Support Groups

One reason why people relapse is because they don't have proper support mechanisms. The lonely addict is always a candidate for relapsing. After a relapse, the counselor's job is to help the patient identify possible support mechanisms, which usually means people. 12-Step meetings and outpatient group therapy sessions might be enough to fill the gap.

Build a Relapse Prevention Plan

Another possible weakness could be the recovering addict doesn't know what to do when a relapse seems imminent. During the second stint in rehab, it should be easier to understand what safeguards need to be put in place to prevent a second or third relapse. Experience is a great teacher.

It takes a great deal of courage to admit to a relapse and reenter rehab. We can assure you we will welcome you with open arms. If you need us, you can call us at 800-737-0933.

How Can You Help a Loved One With a Drug Problem Without Involuntarily Committing Them to Rehab?

Drug addiction is a powerful disease that is so difficult to overcome. It is difficult to watch a loved one suffer and put their life at risk, and it is even more difficult to realize that you have no control over the situation. All that you can do is be there to support them and help them.

The process can be mentally draining for you, and you may grieve during the process. You cannot give up on your loved one, you must continue to try and help them get through this. Luckily, there are ways to help your loved one without forcing them to go to rehab.

How to Help a Loved One With a Drug Problem Without Forcing them to go to Rehab

There are several things you can do to help your loved one through their drug addiction. As you know, you cannot control any parts of this situation. You can only be there to support and encourage them, and help them stay strong through the hard days. You can urge your loved one to go to rehab, which is always a good thing for an addict, but you cannot force them.

What you can do instead:

  • Get educated
  • Join a family program offered by a rehabilitation center
  • Take care of yourself
  • Let them know they can always talk to you

Get educated.

Learn about your loved one's triggers, the signs that they are using, and any treatment options that you think might help.

Being educated can help your loved one because you'll be able to go over treatment options with them. You'll also be able to help them avoid any triggers, and you'll be able to step in if you see the signs that they are using. You won't be much help if you don't know anything about the addiction, so getting educated must be the first step.

Join a family program offered by a rehabilitation center.

These programs are designed to educate you on ways to help your loved one through their addiction. At the program, you will get information and first-hand experiences that you will never find on the internet. Others who attend these programs will offer you support and encouragement, allowing you the chance to take care of yourself a little, as well.

Take care of yourself.

If you don't take care of your own physical and emotional needs, you will not be able to help your loved one. Therapy and support groups are a great place to start. You also have to learn to set boundaries with your loved one. While they are suffering, you can't let them overstep certain boundaries. You need to do this in order to stay emotionally strong and have a sense of control over the situation. It is important that you don't lose yourself while trying to help your loved one.

Let them know they can always talk to you.

When a loved one is suffering from addiction, it will be extremely hard for them to open up to anyone about their drug problem. Make sure they know you will always be there to listen and that you won't judge them when they talk to you. An addict is not likely to recover if they don't have a support system that they can depend on for the little things, like talking.

Conclusion

It is hard to watch your loved one suffer through a drug addiction, and it is even harder to accept the situation. Once you accept the situation your loved one is in, it is easier to help them. It is a long process but, with a strong support system, your loved one can recover.

You must understand that you can't control the situation, but you can help your loved one without forcing them into rehab. If you can convince your loved one to commit themselves to a rehab program, or if you need a support system yourself, please call us. We are here to help. Call us now at 800-737-0933.

Can the Staff Call the Police If You Leave Rehab Early?

If you're seriously thinking about attending a residential drug treatment program, you probably have a lot of questions. You may think that these questions are odd, but chances are, you're not the only one with these same concerns. One thing that may be on your mind is the legal aspects of inpatient drug treatment. For example, you may be wondering about law enforcement. Can the facility staff call police if you leave rehab early? Generally, the answer is no, not unless you have committed a crime or violated a court agreement of some kind. Some examples are:

  • You are court-ordered to attend an inpatient rehab program for a specific amount of time

Not all rehab facilities accept court-ordered residents. However, of the ones that do, they are required by law to notify local law enforcement that you have left before your treatment is complete. The same is true for any kind of unauthorized absence, or if you fail to return from an approved furlough on time. Staff cannot physically prevent you from leaving. They will sincerely try to convince you to stay if they can. If you don't stay, you have left them with no choice but to notify the authorities. They must follow the law. Leaving court-ordered drug treatment early is a crime.

Crimes and Arrest Warrants

  • You committed a crime

If you have done something illegal, such as stealing property that belongs to the facility, then they will almost certainly press charges. This is true whether you try to leave or not, but if you to take a facility laptop with you as you walk out the door, you are guilty of theft. You can expect the rehab to file charges against you.

  • You bring or use illegal drugs on facility property

Inpatient drug rehab facilities watch all residents closely for signs of drug use. A resident cannot refuse to take a urine test or refuse to allow their persons or property to be searched. If they do, they can be expelled from the program. For someone who is court-ordered to attend rehab, any kind of refusal of this nature is an automatic violation of their probation conditions. Whether a court-ordered resident or not, anyone found in possession of illegal drugs or unauthorized prescription narcotics will be charged with drug possession.

It's certainly hopeful that no rehab resident would also be selling drugs on the premises, but if there is evidence of that, they can expect to be charged with possession with intent to sell, a far more serious crime. This is especially true in a rehab facility. Evidence of drug sales would include scales, small baggies or balloons for repackaging and large amounts of drugs that exceed any reasonable expectation for personal use.

  • You have an arrest warrant

If you have an arrest warrant out for you, and the facility discovers this, they will almost certainly call the police. This is true even if the warrant is old and has nothing to do with drugs. It also holds true whether you decide to leave or stay. If this happens, the best thing to do is to ask the facility for help with going to court to turn yourself in. Especially if the charge is drug-related, a drug rehab facility can do a lot to influence your case. They likely can get your charges deferred so that you can at least complete the program. They can write letters on your behalf. If you finish the program in good standing, your case will likely have a far more favorable outcome than if you did not.

The Staff Won't Call Police

Drug rehab facility staff will not call the police if you leave the program early as long as you're not court-ordered to stay. However, it's likely a big mistake. If anything, drug rehab protects you FROM the police. If you continue to abuse drugs, your chances of arrest increase.

If you're buying drugs on the black market, whether illegal ones or prescription ones, just the act of meeting with a dealer and buying them is a crime. In some states, the penalties are draconian. You will have a felony arrest record for the rest of your life. Getting a good career going will be all but impossible. Nearly all employers do background checks these days.

If You Need Help

If you're addicted to drugs, and you don't know which way to turn, we are here to help you. You may call us at 800-737-0933 anytime. We are here 24 hours a day to listen to your situation and guide you to the best rehab solution for you. Please call us. We are here to help.

What Florida Support Groups Are There to Prevent Relapse After Release From Addiction Treatment?

It takes a lot of hard work for someone to get past an addiction to drugs and alcohol. This is especially true for anyone who has been dealing with an addiction for a significant amount of time. The good news is once someone gets through rehab, they will have an opportunity to walk the straight and narrow road of recovery.

For a moment, let's consider all the hard work that goes into getting through treatment. Upon entering rehab, the drug addict faces a stint in detox. Most reputable drug rehabs in South Florida provide patients with access to a drug detox program. Depending on the depth of the patient's addiction, a medically-monitored detox program could be necessary to prevent possible health issues related to withdrawal symptoms. As an example, the possible withdrawal symptoms from a opiate addiction might include:

  • Severe muscle cramping throughout the body
  • Convulsions and tremors
  • Psychological issues related to anxiety, depression and anger
  • Hallucinations and disturbing dreams
  • Breathing problems
  • Heart-rate and blood pressure problems
  • Sleep issues - insomnia

Any one of these symptoms could escalate into serious health issues. In a medically-monitored detox program, medical professionals will monitor each patient's progress. If a patient begins showing signs of distress, the protocol would dictate those patients be given some type of medication to ease their issues.

Once a patient gets past their withdrawal symptoms and cravings for drugs, they head off for therapy and counseling. The goal of therapy and counseling is to help the patient understand the dangers of continued substance abuse. The patient will also get an opportunity to better understand the circumstances that may have caused them to seek refuge from a needle, pill or bottle of booze.

Along with learning the truth about causation, the patient will also get an opportunity to build better coping skills to get through life. When coping skills can be directed at specific triggers and temptations, the patient is going to increase their chances of avoiding future relapse.

The Aftermath - Support Groups for Relapse Prevention

After doing all the hard work needed to get clean, most recovering addicts want to keep it that way. However, not every patient leaves rehab filled with confidence. It's for that reason many top rehabs encourage departing patients to seek out support group resources. For the most, there's three primary resources available to recovering addicts. That would include:

  • Outpatient Group Therapy
  • 12-Step Meetings
  • Sober Living

Let's take an in-depth look at these options.

Outpatient Group Therapy

While taking part in a residential treatment program, patients are taught the importance of participating is group therapy sessions. They learn they are not alone in their battle with drugs or alcohol. They also learn about how other people deal with recovery and living life on life's terms. During the group therapy process, a lot of patients come to the realization they will need support groups on the outside. That's why many rehab centers allow recovering patients to continue participating in group sessions on an outpatient basis.

12-Step Meetings

Most of us have at least heard of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. 12-Step meetings are available almost anywhere in the world. As a member, each recovering addict gets an opportunity to build relationships with people who have one important common goal, staying clean. With the help of a sponsor, members work through the actual 12 steps, which form a stairway to permanent sobriety. There's nothing more powerful than one addict helping another.

Sober Living

For the recovering addict who just isn't ready to face all their responsibilities right off the bat, a sober living home is a great place to land. Most sober living homes focus one accountability and sobriety while allowing the residents to pick up responsibilities as they gain strength. Step-by-step, residents build each day until they feel empowered to test their sober wings. The great thing about sober living is it's always available to anyone wanting to stay sober but feeling shaky. In some ways, the support groups from sober living become family.

If you need help with your addiction, we have just what the doctor ordered. To get started, you can contact one of our staff members at 800-737-0933. We hope you will always remember that no one expects you to fight your addiction on your own. Help is always available when you need it.