Drug Addiction Treatment Centers: A Fresh Start

Half a decade ago, I started working on a hotline to help addicts and their families find drug addiction treatment centers. Thousands of calls later, I still remember the first time I picked up the line.

I could hardly make out what the woman on the other end was saying to me. Shelly (not her real name) was sobbing. She had just arrived at her fatherâ??s apartment and had found him passed out cold on the couch with a needle still sticking out of his arm. Why she called our line instead of 9-1-1 was a mystery. I called for an ambulance and waited on the phone with her until they arrived. She told me how her father had been a construction worker, though his dream was to play guitar in a band. Shelly said her parents split up when she was thirteen because of her dadâ??s drinking. He moved away to live in another state for a couple of years and they began to lose touch. He would send the occasional card or make a call on her birthday the first couple of years, but that eventually ended. After college, Shelly decided to find her dad. It turned out that he had moved back and was living just a couple of miles from where she grew up.

Somewhere along the way, he had picked up a heroin habit. Shelly tried to talk him into going to treatment, but he always had an excuse for why he couldnâ??t. Shelly said she visited him weekly, helped him keep his apartment up, bought his groceries and kept after him to quit. She said she they had just talked the night before and that he had, for the first time, agreed to try treatment. On my end, I could hear the ambulance approaching and then a knock on the door. Shelly hung up and I never heard from her again.

Today in America, there are 13 million people in need of alcohol or drug addiction treatment. Fortunately, according the government, there are just over 13,000 drug addiction treatment centers waiting to help these individuals. It may have been too late for Shellyâ??s dad, I donâ??t know, but I do know that it is not too late for anyone who is looking for a drug addiction treatment center today.

Each year millions of people across America, enter treatment centers. For many, this marks a fresh start, a rebirth. It is an opportunity to rebuild broken relationships and broken lives. Those who successfully complete rehab join a recovery community that is already millions strong.

This article, intended to be one in a three part series, is dedicated to addicts and family members of addicts who are searching for answers. Its goal the series is to help those suffering from drug abuse and/or their loved ones to make informed choices when entering drug addiction treatment.

I invite you to join me over the next couple of weeks as these articles explore the different types of treatment settings and then how to find the right treatment center for you or a loved one. In the end, I am confident that combined with careful research of what makes good treatment and by following your own intuition; you or a loved one can begin a new life.

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the resource box is included. Please send a courtesy copy of your publication or a website link to, recoveryresources@gmail.com.

David Westbrook is a freelance writer. He has spent several years talking to thousands of addicts and their families who are in search of drug addiction treatment centers. He invites you to visit his websites http://www.addictionsresources.com and http://www.alcoholismresources.com Approximately 593 words © 2005

Higgins & Burke Six Flavor Tea Bag Assortment, Variety Tea, 120/Carton

In The News:

---

Europe Looks to Alternative Sources for Energy
Wall Street Journal - 8 hours ago
By GUY CHAZAN As Europe counts the cost of Russia's latest gas shut-off, there are signs it could give a boost to alternative sources of gas that currently ...
Video: Ukraine leaves Europe without gas - Gazprom RussiaToday
Europe late with alternative to Russian gas TREND Information
Gas war may boost alternative routes to Europe guardian.co.uk
Canada.com - Los Angeles Timesall 6,263 news articles

CNET News
Linksys offers full wireless alternative to Sonos
CNET News, CA - 12 hours ago
After hinting at a "digital stereo" product in The New York Times last week, Cisco unveiled the details of its Wireless Home Audio System today, ...

Destructoid
The Wand: Nyko announces a high-tech Wii remote alternative
CNET News, CA - 10 hours ago
In an effort to trump the existing Nintendo Wii remote controller, Nyko is introducing what the company is calling the most advanced Wii remote yet. ...
Nyko brings Wand Wii remote, Charge Station EX and Kama Charge kit ... engadget
Nyko Announces New Wii Controller at CES 411mania.com
all 6 news articles

CEP News
Treasury Bond Alternative
Boston Globe, United States - 22 hours ago
"Where should I put my money right now? I don't feel comfortable investing in stocks, and I've heard that Treasury bonds are paying next to nothing. ...
Bonds may be a shield, but they're still risky Gail MarksJarvis Chicago Tribune
Get Out Now! Barron's
Corporate debt's allure Boston Globe
all 376 news articles

Seattle Post Intelligencer
Airlines Search for Alternatives to Oil as Fuel
New York Times, United States - Jan 6, 2009
Pratt, which has tested alternate fuels in its engines, and others in the aviation industry assert that they will pursue alternatives even in a period of ...
Aviation industry strives to find alternative fuels SmartBrief
Air Algae: US Biofuel Flight Relies on Weeds and Pond Scum Scientific American
Algae-Powered Jet Proves Biofuel in Continental Test Bloomberg
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com - Atlanta Journal Constitutionall 230 news articles

Sunrise Solar tapped for alternative energy project in Brazil
Bizjournals.com, NC - 21 hours ago
The project is part of a multimillion-dollar alternative energy development initiative by Brazil which is making a big push to become energy self-sufficient ...
Sunrise Solar to Provide Solar to Brazilian Hospitals istockAnalyst.com (press release)
all 18 news articles

Fuel Systems Solutions to Launch US Automotive Alternative Fuel ...
MSNBC - 17 hours ago
Since the 1960s, Fuel System Solutions' transportation subsidiary, BRC, based in Cherasco, Italy, has been a major provider of alternative fuel systems ...

MTA to consider alternatives for Eastisde Transit Corridor
Los Angeles Wave Newspapers, CA - 9 hours ago
LOS ANGELES — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will consider the adoption of the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase Two Alternatives Analysis study ...

HispanicBusiness.com
Hybrids, alternative fuel cars showcased
Detroit Free Press, United States - Jan 7, 2009
The EcoXperience exhibit will feature about a dozen hybrid vehicles and other vehicles powered by alternative fuels. It will be supported by General Motors ...
Michigan Economic Development Corporation and North American ... PR Newswire (press release)
Detroit's North American International Auto Show changes subject ... MLive.com
Try hybrid vehicles at auto show exhibit Detroit Free Press
all 85 news articles

S. Fla. Companies Look To Creative Layoff Alternatives
MSNBC - 21 hours ago
Though it may not sound so good at first, many say having a shorter work week or taking unpaid vacation is better than the alternative. ...

alternative - Google News

Immunological Profile In Postpartum Women

Post-delivery, the whole of immune system is restored to normalcy during puerparium. One of the extensively studied immunological markers is the assessment of CA- 125. Spitzer et... Read More

Natural Prevention & Treatment For The Flu: What Your Doctor May Not Know

Flu can affect 10 to 30 percent of the U.S. population each winter. The flu virus can linger in the air for as long as three hours.... Read More

Dandelions! This Common Weed is a Wonderful Spring Tonic

Those Glorious Dandelions! Taraxacum officinale (composite family)Spring is coming! Starting about this time every year I find myself craving bitter flavors. My body is longing to cleanse... Read More

Healing the Elements

The Nature Elementals, most commonly known as Faeries, are the unseen guardians of the planet. As much as we would like to believe that their survival depends... Read More

Arthritis Pain: Why Visualizations May Be Able to Provide Relief

Over 100 different types of arthritis exist, but by far the most common are the "osteo" and the "rheumatoid" varieties. Both may be subject to influence by... Read More

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a non-toxic system of medicine used to treat a wide variety of health concerns.It is based on the Law of Similars and potentization. Basically, the... Read More

Inflammatory Arthritis: Alternative Treatments

There are two main types of arthritis: inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. Inflammatory arthritis can be treated naturally without drugs. Inflammatory arthritis' symptoms (such as Rheumatoid Arthritis) are... Read More

About ADD ( Attention Deficit Disorder ), its Symptoms

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a condition that is usually characterized by behavioral and learning disorders. ADD generally diagnosed in children, mostly affects the boys than the... Read More

Benefits of Human Growth Hormone ? HGH Enhancing Products

Human Growth Hormone has often been referred to as the "fountain of youth hormone". So, have we stumbled upon the proverbial "fountain of youth" with these new... Read More

Chypre

EcologyChypre belongs to the evergreen plant family with needle-like leaves. It has about 20 different varieties, all growing to heights of 25 to 45 metres. Chypre has... Read More

Stuttering Self Help

I am Stephen Hill from Birmingham in England. I started to stutter in childhood at the age of four or five. I attended a lot of different... Read More

Why Detoxify?

Have you been hearing about detoxification more often? That's because we are now recognizing and appreciating that our bodies are not just separate parts, but a connected... Read More

How To Improve Your Mood And Health With Deep Breathing Exercises

It is relatively well known now that exercise releases endorphins that can help to pull you out of a bad mood and to aid in alleviating depression.... Read More

Use Essential Oils and Herbs in a Sitz Bath for Hemorrhoid Relief

Sitz bath using juniper and lavender oilsIf you have swollen hemorrhoids, a sitz bath can help you reduce them and speed your recover. Fill a tub with... Read More

New Age Torture

I'll admit it ... I'm a spiritual tramp. I've spent the last few years slutting around, looking for a cure for all my aches and pains. So... Read More

Cleansing Liver Herbal Teas

When spring comes it is time for a liver cleanse. This is a good time to rejuvenate the liver for the coming year of work. One good... Read More

The Universal Calibration Lattice® - Your Own Personal Connection to the Universal Energy Source

Now is an incredible time to be on Earth. All of us in our divine wisdom agreed to be here doing the journey of human at this... Read More

Relaxation

We talk a lot about stress in our society, but very little about relaxation. Odd, isn't it? The ability to relax is, in my view, undervalued. We... Read More

Gout Pain Relief With Cherry Power - How To Ease Pain By Eating Fruit

We can all learn something new every day! And good doctors are constantly alert to learning from all of their patients. It takes a lot to surprise... Read More

Emotrance & Well-Being

Are you ready to easily release worry, pain or fear and restore your emotional health?Are you ready for a dynamic way of processing life experiences in quicker... Read More

Eat Fiber and Avoid Constipation

To have regular bowel movements and escape constipation you need to eat more fiber. Fiber from raw vegetable and fruits is better for you than fiber from... Read More

Holistic Is Not A Four-Lettered Word

If you're anything like me, then you've got a certain picture in your mind of what *holistic* is supposed to be. For me, it's conjured up pictures... Read More

An Aspirin A Day Can Give You Cancer

I want to share a health alert with you. So many people today are taking an aspirin a day - many upon the recommendation of their doctors... Read More

Dopamine Relieves Pain ? Try Encouraging Your Subconscious To Supply It

Dopamine has long been known to be linked to positive experiences such as eating and sex. But it's now known to be released when you're in pain,... Read More

Liver Spring Cleansing

The liver is the second largest organ in the body and the skin is the first. Every year, you can make sure your liver is healthy by... Read More

Snoring - A Small Change Can Make A Big Difference

We all know how annoying snoring can be, both for the snorer and the partner. The effects and seriousness of snoring are becoming more apparent with snoring... Read More