Problems You Might Encounter in a Rehabilitation Center

Addiction is one of society’s greatest enemies. In fact, a majority of the prison inmates in the Philippines are here because of drug-related crimes, ranging from being influenced by dangerous substances to actually trafficking prohibited drugs. The effect of drug addiction in destructive, not just in a societal sense but also personally, and the victim, while knowing this, is unable to turn away from whatever he/she is addicted to.

Because of this, drug rehabilitation centers were established to not only help the victim gets free of addiction but also to help him/her recover from its effects and start over in life. From the time rehab centers were established in the country, they have been significant in the reintroduction of former victims of addiction to their communities, through the institutions’ programs and methods of treatment.

However, as effective as rehabilitation centers are in treating addiction, there are still some cases where things do not go as expected. And with any form of government or private institution, rehabilitation centers have their limits in dealing with victims, creating complications in the treatment which sometimes yields unfavorable results.

It is important to know what problems may come up during the rehabilitation process to help the addiction victim address these issues much easier, as the individual is already going through a lot with the addiction problem alone.

Here are some problems you might encounter in a rehabilitation center:

Lack of Finances to Continuously Pay for Treatment

A large portion of our countrymen live below the poverty line. In fact, in Quezon City alone, a significant percentage of the population cannot even sustain eating three meals a day, much less pay for addiction treatment fees when one of their family members fall victim to addiction. And while government-run rehabilitation facilities drastically cut down the costs of addiction treatment, the level of poverty experienced by the families of addiction victims often causes them to stop paying for the rehabilitation of their family members.

Inhospitable or Unfamiliar Rehabilitation Center Environments

While not common, there have been some cases of mistreatment of patients in rehabilitation centers, which is one of the reasons why many addiction victims opt not to undergo addiction treatment. For most victims of addiction, rehab centers present an uncomfortable environment for two reasons: they are not familiar, and for those who are hiding their addiction problem, rehab centers would expose what they are going through. This can be easily addressed by a constant follow-up of the relatives of the patient, who would provide a familiar face and ease the experience in the rehab center.

The Fear of Social Reintegration

People who fall victim to addiction are often looked down upon by society, resulting in their social fears. In a rehabilitation center, the victim is gradually trained to become ready to face society with a new start, but the patient’s fears of being discriminated for something that he/she did before sometimes cause complications in the rehabilitation, which tends to lengthen it. Interacting with other patients tend to ease this transition, helping the victim to build up confidence.

Withdrawals and Relapses

Withdrawal and relapse are the two most common issues faced by the patients in an addiction treatment center. Withdrawal is the body’s negative reaction when it is deprived of the substance that the victim is addicted in, while relapse is the victim’s return to addiction after a period of going without the substance. While not necessarily the easiest issues to deal with, withdrawals and relapses can be handled through a modification of the treatment program to prevent any uncomfortable experiences for the patient.

Addiction treatment centers aren't perfect, but they play a very significant role in helping the addiction victims turn away from addiction and start fresh. Understanding the problems that might be encountered in drug rehabilitation centers would not only help the patient get a clearer perspective of what to expect in his/her addiction treatment, but also give the relatives information of how they can make the rehabilitation process easier and the experience more comfortable for their loved one.

No Rehab Centers in Rural Areas In The Philippines

Alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers are important institutions in our society. They are responsible for helping victims of addiction get back on the right track, as well as reintroducing them as responsible and productive members of their communities. Rehab centers, as they are more popularly known, are also essential in controlling the spreading of addiction in society by regularly conducting seminars that inform people about the danger of falling into addiction.

The Sad Reality of Rehabilitation Centers in the Rural Parts of the Philippines

This is especially true here in the Philippines, where addiction is a serious threat and must be dealt with. Sadly, in spite of the funding provided by the government to fight against addiction, there is still a great lack of rehab centers present in the country, especially in many rural areas where addiction to substances such as prohibited drugs is rampant. Because of this, many youths are still drawn to the wiles of addiction and a lot of the victims of addiction in the country are still left untreated.

The reality that there are no rehab centers in the rural areas in the Philippines is a problem that must be addressed not just by the government but also by the private sector. And while the government may have been doing its part in constructing low-cost rehab centers for the poor, much of these have been focused on the urban parts of the country, leaving the rural areas untouched. The cost of travelling to these urban rehab centers often discourage addiction victims living in the rural areas from undergoing rehabilitation, thus leaving their problems unsolved.

It is clear that this issue needs to be resolved, but it needs both the government and the community working together. Establishing a rehabilitation center is no simple task, as it requires individuals with specialized training in handling addiction issues, as well as the facilities and the equipment needed to help usher the victims of addiction into a new beginning.

One of the reasons why there is a lack of rural rehabilitation centers is the shortage of psychologists and addiction specialists who would run the facility. Psychology is not among the most famous courses in the country today, so a campaign must be launched that would increase the amount of Filipino students who would take up this course. Not only would it benefit the industry, but it would also prevent the overpopulation of other courses.

Another issue that must be addressed in order to establish more rehabilitation centers in the country is the perception of addiction and its victims. In the Philippines, victims of addiction are often viewed with severe discrimination and are treated poorly. People must be properly educated on addiction and encouraged to see addicts as victims and patients rather than criminals.Many victims of addiction hide their problems due to the fear of being discriminated, so in order to help them, they must be treated with care and love.

Finally, there must be adequate financial and physical support from both sectors of the society in building rural rehabilitation centers. Investing on an industry to rehabilitate victims of addiction may seem to yield very little in return, but in reality, it actually does more good for our society. Individuals who have been successfully rehabilitated return to their cities as productive and competent members, thus contributing to the overall productivity of the community.

Additionally, the more rehabilitation centers are built, more victims of addiction will be cured of their sickness, thus decreasing the demand for addictive substances. When the demand is decreased, the dealers will be discouraged to continue, and eventually the problem of addiction would be solved.

We would like to include in this article the contact information of all the regional offices of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for your convenience and for whatever purpose this list may serve you. If you are residing in a rural area in the Philippines, and there are no private institutions that can be of assistance to you or a loved one in dealing with addiction problems, you can contact these regional offices.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Offices

PDEA National Capital Region
PDEA Annex Bldg. NIA Northside Rd., Brgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City
Telephone Number:(02) 920-0193

PDEA 1
Camp Diego Silang, Carlatan, San Fernando City, La Union
Telephone Number: (072) 607-0477

PDEA 2
Camp Adduru, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
Telephone Number: (078) 844-7693

PDEA 3
Camp Olivas, San Fernando, Pampanga
Telephone Number: (045) 861-4244

PDEA 4-A
Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba, Laguna
Telephone Number: (049) 834-1304

PDEA 4-B
Unit 14 Filipiniana Complex, Calapan City, Or. Mindoro
Telephone Number: (043) 441-0267

PDEA 5
Camp General Simeon Ola, Legaspi City
Telephone Number: (052) 480-7712

PDEA 6
Camp Martin Delgado, Iloilo City
Telephone Number: (033) 337-1600

PDEA 7
RR Landon Street, Cebu City
Telephone Number: (032) 255-5260

PDEA 8
2nd Floor, PCA Bldg., Government Center, Baras, Palo, Leyte
Telephone Number: (072) 607-0477

PDEA 9
Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City
Telephone Number: (062) 983-0112

PDEA 10
Gordiel Bldg., Corrales Ave., Cagayan De Oro City
Telephone Number: (088) 857-2279

PDEA 11
Camp Capt. D. E. Leonor, San Pedro St., Davao City
Telephone Number: (082) 222-3045

PDEA 12
Camp Fermin G. Lira, Jr., General Santos City
Telephone Number: (083) 301-5466

PDEA 13
Camp R. Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City
Telephone Number: (085) 815-1661

PDEA CAR
Melvin Jones Grandstand, Harizon St., Baguio City
Telephone Number: (074) 422-5544

PDEA ARMM
PC Hills, Cotabato City
Telephone Number: (064) 421-2379

Philippines’ Drug and Alcohol Addiction Rehab Centers

Addiction treatment facilities in the Philippines, whether it is operated by the government, a free-standing institution or initiated by a non-government organization, have the same important goal - helping a person break free from the addiction and all of its accompanying problems by means of creating a whole new world for the person. This totally different setting is one of the key elements in maintaining abstinence and sobriety.

Understanding Addiction

Substance addiction does not happen overnight. It is a result of a long and continuous exposure to heavy use of illegal drugs or alcohol. It is a continuous and long process wherein a person regularly uses and abuses drugs and alcohol for personal reason such as an excuse to overcome daily stress. There are lots of cases wherein an individual became addicted because he chose to. The person might think that using drugs can help him escape the real world or to solve personal issues. The truth of the matter is that illegal substance generates more problems rather than solving them.

In some instances, it is cause by emotional and psychological issues that dependents think can’t be resolved by means of their normal behavior or state. Individuals who don't have the control to cope up with daily pressures on their own may turn themselves into substance abuse to find relief and consolations. Every time a person feels depressed, he will seek for release, every time he is caught up in a bad situation, he will turn his head to drugs or alcohol. Stress and hopelessness, together with uncontrollable and fluctuating emotions trigger them into becoming alcohol or drug dependents. That is why emotional instability is considered one of the most common causes of alcohol addiction.

In these situations, alcohol and drug rehab centers can help in stabilizing imbalances in regards with emotional and psychological aspects of a patient.

Rehab Centers Can Help

An addiction affects your life and your family in many ways. It influences not only your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual part of your life but also affects your career, social interactions, intimate relationship and personality. Regardless of the severity of the addiction, you will be experiencing problem in some way or another if you continuously ignore your condition. The addiction will gradually take control of the wheel, leaving you with minimal chance of recovery.

You may not be able to resolve these problems on your own. You need outside help that can provide you with professional treatments - and this is one of the main reasons why you need to enter to a drug or alcohol rehab center.

Create a Whole New World to Begin With

A lot of Filipino problem drinkers and drug dependents perceive that their lives are in a state of total wrecked. They believe that many parts of their lives are pure mistakes and that they commit many negative decisions. They have a tendency to think that they can’t fix their own mess. In this situation, many alcoholics and drug dependents are likely to lose hope; they just keep using and abusing drugs or alcohol because they believe there is no turning back. So, rehab centers must develop their self-confidence.

Rehabilitation centers include personality development seminars in their rehab program to address these issues. These approaches help in motivating them, providing them inspirations to develop their positive thinking. These will allow them to create a fresh start and a new life.

On the other side, a Christian-based addiction treatment program’s systematic approach can help in increasing spirituality. At the beginning of each rehabilitation program, patients are taught to cope up with their problems to prevent depressions which usually trigger their thoughts into thinking of their old habits. They are taught to make their faith the center of their actions. It is always a great idea to teach them how they can solve their personal problems immediately by developing their spiritual faith so that there is no room for negative feelings.

Rehab centers are also constantly seeking for ways to help family members understand the ill effects of drug and alcohol dependency and teach them how to help in addressing these issues. These awareness programs will help the patients and their families fully understand how important each family members in coping up with addiction.

The NEED for Rehabilitation

A rehabilitation center focuses on providing complete medical treatments for substance abusers, especially for those patients who need to overcome their withdrawal symptoms, while encouraging the person’s friends and family members to provide their full support.

In general, family involvement is considered a vital component in a successful recovery of an alcoholic or drug dependent. If a person realizes he has his immediate family on his side that he can really rely on, he will become eager and determine to keep fighting.

Most drug and alcohol rehab centers in the Philippines implement personalized treatments for each patient. As mentioned above, each person has a different condition that requires special attention. Those individuals who have extreme addiction need a more advance and sophisticated treatment than those substance abusers dealing with only minor problems. The more serious condition an individual is experiencing, the longer the duration of the treatment is required.

Entering an Addiction Treatment Facility

Once a willing individual enters an addiction treatment facility, he will first undergo initial medical examination that involves physical and psychological check-up. Each person has a different condition – the level of addiction, the effect on the behavior, the emotional issues accumulated during the abuse, and the social relation to the environment where he is in. These factors contribute to the need of a personalized treatment for each patient. This term is usually expressed as “tailored programs” for drug and alcohol dependents. Medical examinations are conducted to understand the “real score” and to choose which tailored program should be given to that individual. Withdrawal symptoms are then acknowledged and addressed by means of medications.

Each patient in any alcohol and drug rehab center in the Philippines is given the required personalized treatment by undergoing an assessment process by which complete physical, psychological and emotional examinations are conducted. Furthermore, the results of these preliminary examinations are then handed down to the resident doctors and medical staff for a careful study and evaluation. After a careful psychoanalysis and assessment, an outlined plan is then introduced to the patient cautiously monitored by a psychiatrist, psychologist, and therapist. Withdrawal symptoms are prioritized and are addressed by giving appropriate medical treatments and procedures.

Aftercare Programs

Many rehab centers in the country also provide aftercare programs, where monitoring and supervision is conducted once the patient has finished the rehab program in the institution. This is to ensure a long-lasting and continuous recovery. Reformed drug addicts and alcoholics need constant reminders and continuous support in order to prevent them from coming back into their old way of living.

Free Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers in the Philippines

Many drug users and problem drinkers who are planning to enter a private in-patient rehab center doubt if they can afford the monthly cost of the facility. Out-patient clinics are the alternative solutions when residential treatments and luxurious fees seem unobtainable.

In addition, there are government agencies that offer rehabilitation services for free. So, there are numerous options that you can utilize to get the help you need. Excuses are definitely not in the list. Recovering from the dreadful condition is possible. There are many available resources that you can utilize. You just need to embrace the fact that you have a problem and that you need help to address that problem.

An addiction is a never ending battle and everyone, including friends and family members, should lend their hands to the patient to achieve a full recovery.