The Roles of Rehab Centers in the Philippines

Important Tasks of Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centers in the Philippines

Alcohol and drug addiction is one of the biggest problems of the modern Filipino society not just because of the huge number of people that fall victim to it but also because of its long-term effects on the lives of the addicts as well as the people close to them. It does not matter where they get addicted – age-old addictions such as drugs or alcohol (also known as substance addiction), or modern addictions such as computer games (or non-substance addiction) – people who fall victim to the clutches of addiction all suffer the destructive effects of whatever they are addicted in.

Fortunately, there are ways to treat this negative condition. Currently, rehabilitation is the most common and effective form of getting people out of their addictions. In the Philippines, there are around 60 registered rehabilitation centers (or “rehab” centers, as they are popularly called) and dozens more scattered across a country that is home to more than 98 million Filipinos, which is quite concerning considering the percentage of addiction cases in the country.

Why Rehabilitation is Important, and Why Rehab Centers are Necessary

The concept of rehabilitation is simple, but its results are long-lasting and more effective than any other scientific method of dealing with addiction issues. The rehabilitation tactics mostly involve psychological conditioning, which in many modern studies have proven to be the most effective means of addiction treatment. Rehab centers play a great role in helping addicts get back on their feet by using methods that gradually cause them to cease their interest in whatever they are addicted in.

Alcohol and drug rehab centers also provide guidance when it comes to dealing with withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous if not addressed accordingly. These symptoms occur when a dependent chooses to abstain from drugs or alcohol that the body has been accustomed with. These physical and psychological episodes can escalate dramatically and can cause serious health issues. Rehabilitation centers provide medical treatments in coordination with a licensed physician of a legitimate hospital.

One of the main reasons why rehab centers are the most effective means of rehabilitating victims of addiction is they provide an atmosphere of comfort and acceptance that addiction victims could not receive outside. Normally, when a person becomes addicted, everyone else around that person starts seeing him or her differently – most often negatively.

The depression felt by the victim as a result of being looked down upon plunges him or her further into the depths of despair, causing that person to abandon all hope of rescue or treatment. Rehab centers prevent this from happening by putting them into an environment where they will be encouraged to believe that there is still hope. Afterwards, rehab centers provide alternative sources of enjoyment and fulfilment to divert the former addict’s attention from what he/she used to be addicted to into something recreational and fulfilling. It is vital for them to feel that they exist because they have a purpose in life.

Rehabilitation not only invigorates and empowers the victims of addiction to lose interest in the things they used to be addicted to, but this treatment also enables the reconciliation of relationships between the victims of addiction and their families. Rehab patients undergo programs that not only take away their addiction, but also teach them how to cope with life and get back into society without the fear of being discriminated or persecuted. Social stigma is one of the main causes of relapse when the patient leaves the facility. Rehab centers teach recovering addicts and alcoholics life after rehab so that they can easily get their feet back into the society they belong.

The Current Dilemma of Rehab Centers in the Philippines, and How It Can Be Resolved

With the remarkable success rate of rehab centers in treating cases of addiction, it is alarming to realize how there are so few of these institutions in the country, and how only a few Filipinos actually turn to rehab centers to treat their addiction issues.

Probably the most pressing reason is the extreme cases of poverty in the Philippines. A lot of people find rehab centers expensive and less practical; most Filipinos would rather ignore the addiction issues of their family members than spend money and send them to treatment facility where they would get real attention. This mindset often leads to the worsening of addiction cases, resulting in bigger problems in the future. Moreover, substance abuse related problems such as domestic violence, crimes on the street and illegal activities increase affecting those people who are innocent.

It is essential for the Filipino people to realize how important rehab centers are in addressing the addiction issues in our country. For this to happen, awareness campaigns can be started to inform and encourage people to support rehabilitation institutes.

Rehabilitation is not an overnight solution; there is no scientific solution that would promise you quick results. If it took drug dependents and alcoholics a long time to succumb to their addictions, it will take some time for them to completely turn away from it. But there is one thing that rehab centers can guarantee – the procedures used in these treatment institutions will ensure that the results are long-lasting and effective.