Bridgeport Addiction Treatment Resources
When looking at the number of people in Bridgeport, Connecticut, who entered treatment in 2019, researchers saw that nearly 2,261 individuals entered facilities that focused specifically on treating mental health issues that might have been a factor in their substance abuse. Another 2,709 individuals enrolled in facilities and programs that focused solely on substance abuse. 438 people entered facilities and programs that provided both substance abuse and mental health assistance.
There are a large number of substance use disorder facilities and programs located in and around Bridgeport. The first step toward seeking treatment for substance abuse is admitting that you have a problem. Because of the wide range of treatments that you can select from, you should be able to find something that suits your preferences.
If you’re considering entering some kind of treatment program near Bridgeport, Connecticut, it’s first important that you understand more about drug and alcohol use disorders as well as the treatments available for these issues.
What Drug and Alcohol Abuse Entails
Drug abuse and alcohol abuse occur when a person takes too much of an addictive substance. While it’s possible to drink too much alcohol or take too much of a drug by accident, many people choose to do so because these substances provide a kind of high that allows these individuals to relieve their stress and avoid problems within their lives. The problem with abusing a drug or alcohol is that heavier use of the substance will make the body more tolerant of it, which means that a person will need to take more of the substance in order to obtain the same effects.
Substance use disorder occurs when a person has become addicted to alcohol or a drug of some kind. This type of disorder can bring about a wide range of behavioral, physical and social changes in an individual. Some of the more common behavioral changes include:
- Regularly getting into trouble
- Lacking motivation
- Being paranoid or fearful for no reason
- Experiencing changes in sleep patterns and appetite
- Using these substances when operating machinery or driving
- Getting into trouble on a regular basis
- Being unusually agitated or hyperactive
- Experiencing mood swings and irritability
As for physical changes, slurred speech, a sudden weight loss and bloodshot eyes are common. The social changes that you should look out for if you suspect that a friend or family member is suffering from a substance use disorder include legal problems because of their substance abuse, financial problems and the use of these substances even if they cause relationship issues.
Signs of a Drug or Alcohol Overdose
An overdose on drugs or alcohol is almost always serious and usually requires immediate medical attention. When an individual has taken too much of a drug or alcohol in a short period of time, it’s possible that they could overdose, which will lead to a range of health problems. While overdose signs and symptoms can vary depending on the substance that’s being abused, the most common symptoms of a drug overdose include:
- Shallow breathing
- A weak pulse
- Agitation
- Loss of consciousness
- High amounts of drowsiness
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
As for an alcohol overdose, this occurs when a person suffers from alcohol poisoning. While it’s common for individuals to have too much to drink, alcohol poisoning is far more serious and can lead to many serious health issues. The signs that you should look out for in regard to alcohol poisoning include:
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Passing out
- Irregular breathing
- Bluish or pale skin
- Low body temperature, which is referred to as hypothermia
The Importance of Seeking Treatment
It’s important to seek treatment for substance abuse because addiction to alcohol or drugs will invariably worsen without treatment. Becoming addicted to a drug means that changes occur within your brain that cause you to crave the substance in question. When you continue to use drugs or alcohol on a regular basis, your brain will lessen the ability of your cells to respond to the reward circuit of the brain that’s activated by taking these substances. A reduction in response means that you will need to take higher amounts of the drug or alcohol in order to experience the same euphoria, which is why it’s very difficult to stop using drugs or alcohol without first obtaining treatment.
A top benefit of seeking treatment for drug abuse or alcohol abuse is that you will be able to receive 24/7 medical attention while you’re going through the withdrawal phase of recovery. Without constant medical attention, you could experience a severe symptom without having easy access to necessary treatment. If the addiction was particularly severe, the withdrawal symptoms that you suffer from when you attempt to stop using the substance could also be severe. A great way to mitigate these issues is through professional treatment.
Types of Treatment
There are two main forms of treatment that you can seek for substance use disorder, which include inpatient rehab programs and outpatient programs. Inpatient rehab requires the patient to remain in treatment 24/7 until the duration of their treatment has been completed, which can be anywhere from one month to well over a year. Inpatient rehab is considered to be highly beneficial because it provides the individual with the ability to go through treatment in a completely drug-free and alcohol-free environment. When a patient is in this kind of environment, it becomes much easier to avoid relapsing.
If you enroll in inpatient rehab, there is a wide range of treatments that you can be provided with, the first of which usually involves detoxification. Progressing through detoxification allows you to get the drug or alcohol out of your system before you continue on with the remainder of your recovery. During detox, you will have trained medical staff by your side to make sure that your withdrawal phase is properly managed. There are times when the withdrawal is aided by small doses of medication to make sure that the withdrawal symptoms are relatively minor. Granite Recovery Centers provides medical detoxification for people who do not need immediate medical intervention, are not a danger to themselves, and are capable of self-evacuation in the event of an emergency.
Upon completing detox, you can go through many additional forms of treatment, which include individualized counseling, group counseling, family counseling, treatment for certain mental disorders, meditation, yoga, and additional forms of therapy. Most residential rehab facilities offer additional activities that help provide a calm and relaxing atmosphere during treatment.
As for outpatient treatment, this form of treatment offers most of the same programs as residential rehab. The main difference is that the individual suffering from a substance use disorder will have the ability to sleep at home and go to work when they are not at treatment. Standard treatment sessions for an outpatient program will take place several days a week for a few hours each day. The main issue with this form of treatment is that it can be more difficult to avoid relapsing when not in a drug-free environment.
Treatment Centers to Consider
While there are a large number of treatment facilities in and around Bridgeport, Connecticut, two residential rehab centers that you might want to consider include New Freedom Academy and Green Mountain Treatment Center. Located in Canterbury, NH, New Freedom Academy is a great place to go if you want to obtain your treatment in a more secluded, scenic and relaxed setting.
This is a 20-bed facility, which means that it’s ideal for individuals who would like a more intimate setting in comparison to the facilities available in larger treatment centers. The many treatments available at New Freedom Academy include individual therapy, process groups, grief and loss therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and treatments for any co-occurring disorders that you might suffer from. The staff also provides guests with many fun activities to take part in during treatment, which extend from bowling and mini golf to paintball and yoga.
Green Mountain Treatment Center is another reputable rehab facility that’s located in Effingham, NH. Surrounding this treatment center are apple orchards, beautiful rolling hills and clean mountain air. The staff uses a 12-step curriculum during treatment that helps provide a structured treatment process. When an individual enters this treatment center, they are given an individualized treatment plan that takes their specific needs into account. The many features available at this facility include:
- Evidence-based treatment
- Meditation and yoga
- 12-step meetings, educational programs and workshops
- On-site gym
- Holistic therapies
- Chef-prepared meals
- Medical detox
When you are suffering from substance use disorder, there are many treatment options that will help you overcome your dependence on drugs or alcohol. If you start your treatment today, you can begin to learn how to effectively manage your addiction.