Drug Addiction Treatment Center & Hospital in Chattanooga, TN

Get the facts about addiction treatment at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital

Addiction is something that can destroy a person’s life. Casual use of or experimentation with drugs can quickly lead to the development of an addiction, and once that happens, it can be extremely difficult to overcome. Additionally, it is not uncommon for people to consume alcohol in various situations, as it is a legal and socially acceptable practice. However, for some, occasional use of alcohol can begin to increase quickly and ultimately cause them to become physically dependent on it. Once that dependence develops, they may struggle to stop drinking.

At Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital, we recognize that drug and alcohol addiction affects each person differently. For this reason, we have crafted our drug and alcohol treatment to meet the individual needs of those who seek our care. We believe that by receiving customized treatment, patients have the best chance of truly overcoming their addictions. With our help, you or your loved one can recover from mental health concerns and co-occurring addiction and begin walking a new path towards a brighter future.

Helping a family member or loved one get treatment for addiction

When a loved one is struggling with a mental illness and a co-occurring addiction to drugs or alcohol, it can be extremely challenging. You know that your loved one needs help, but you may feel powerless to make them come to that personal realization. Your fears, frustrations, and worry can become overpowering, but just know that there are things that you can do to help your family member or loved one. Consider the following:

• Learning about addiction is the first step you can take towards helping your loved one. For those who have never been addicted to drugs or alcohol, it can be difficult to understand what the appeal is and why it’s so difficult to stop the behaviors. By educating yourself on the disease itself, you will be better equipped to talk to your loved one.
• Take time to learn about the different types of addiction treatment available. Your loved one may need inpatient care, or might even need to begin the process by receiving detox services. Gaining an understanding of what the different treatment options are will help you offer solutions.
• Research addiction treatment centers to find one that may be a good fit for your loved one.
• Talk to your loved one. Having this conversation can be intimidating and may result in immediate defensiveness, but it is important to remain calm and patient. If your loved one refuses to get treatment, just continue to talk to them whenever you have the chance.
• If possible, ask other friends or family members to join the conversation with you. Not only will it help you personally, but it will also show your loved one that many people care about them and want to help.
• Once your family member or loved one starts addiction treatment, do all that you can to be an active part of the process. Visit them, call them, and take part in family therapy sessions when they’re offered.

The importance of getting addiction treatment at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital

Treatment is essential for someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol. Rarely can this type of illness be overcome on one’s own. The body responds to addiction by developing a tolerance to the substance, which means that when a person tries to end their drug or alcohol use, they will experience a highly uncomfortable period of withdrawal. Without receiving detox services, the only way to eliminate these withdrawal symptoms is to begin using the substance again. This is why so many people struggle with relapse.

When someone chooses not to get treatment, they are putting themselves at risk for countless negative consequences. Besides the obvious damage to one’s physical health, using substances can lead to a decline in work performance, ultimately resulting in job loss and ongoing unemployment. Relationships can be destroyed, parents can lose custody of their children, and interaction with law enforcement can occur when someone is using illegal substances. By receiving care at an addiction treatment center, however, people can get the medical, emotional, and psychological help they need to put an end to their drug or alcohol addiction. At an addiction treatment center like Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, patients have access to detoxification services and inpatient care that can prevent the discomfort of withdrawal and jump start the therapeutic process.

Learn about the therapies used in addiction treatment at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital

Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital is a high-end treatment center located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Our acute care hospital offers inpatient mental health treatment, with additional programming for patients who are also struggling with co-occurring addiction concerns. Serving Tennessee, Alabama, and North Georgia, among other cities and states, our treatment center offers a safe haven for those who are in need of stabilization from mental illness symptoms and co-occurring substance use issues.

When patients enter our drug and alcohol addiction treatment center, they are surrounded by fields, trees, and seasonal flora, which eliminates the institutional feel of most other behavioral health hospitals. This welcoming environment is further emphasized by our courtyard areas, our comfortable care rooms, and the space we have designated for exercise and recreation. Our goal is to provide a well-rounded treatment experience for those who are struggling with mental health concerns and co-occurring addiction issues.

Our addiction treatment center aims to deliver care in the manner that best meets the needs of our patients. In order to do so, we have a distinct programming option for patients who need treatment for both mental illness and co-occurring addiction. This dual diagnosis program is open to adults age 18 and older and incorporates research-backed treatment interventions in each patient’s customized plan of care. Among those interventions are the following:

Detoxification: At our drug and alcohol addiction treatment center, we recognize that therapy cannot begin until a patient has a clear mind. By offering nonmedical detox services, we are able to assist patients in the withdrawal process so that they can successfully begin their recovery. Patients are welcome to participate in therapy during their time in detox, if they are able. Medication-assisted treatment is also available as part of our detox services, including the use of Suboxone and Subutex. The use of these medications will be determined on a case-by-case basis, and they are only used if the patient agrees.

Medical care: Our treatment center has doctors, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses on staff to provide medical care for patients who have chronic, stable medical conditions. When patients require these services while receiving treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, they can meet with our medical staff daily.

Medication management: When someone is suffering from symptoms of a mental illness, medication may be helpful in alleviating their distress. Patients who can benefit from medication will meet with a psychiatrist daily.

Individual therapy: When patients receive care for addiction at our treatment center, they will have one-on-one therapy sessions with licensed counselors or social workers. These sessions are fully confidential and give patients the chance to process their experiences both in treatment and outside of treatment. The number of individual therapy sessions that patients have while at our addiction treatment center will be determined based on their personal treatment plan.

Group therapy: Group therapy can be extremely beneficial when working to overcome addictions to drugs or alcohol. In this setting, patients can connect with others who may be facing similar struggles, and they can support and encourage one another in treatment. This can eliminate the sense of isolation that often accompanies addiction. We offer a number of groups at our addiction treatment center, including the following:

• General processing groups
• Recovery groups
• Psychoeducational groups
• Community groups

Family therapy: Addiction takes a toll not only on the person who is addicted, but on their loved ones as well. At our treatment center, we recognize the widespread impact that addiction has and therefore offer family therapy sessions for our patients and their loved ones. Licensed counselors and social workers lead these sessions, offering families a safe place to process their experiences and learn how to best help their loved one as they work on recovering from their addiction.

Continuing care options for addiction treatment

Because Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital is an acute care hospital, treatment is meant to be short-term. We aim to help you stabilize so that you can move on to the next phase of your treatment. As soon as you are admitted into our addiction treatment center, your treatment team will begin crafting a discharge plan. As part of this process, our staff will help you identify step-down levels of care that may be of benefit as you continue on your recovery journey. We can also provide information on support groups in your community, as well as other resources that may be helpful to you.

If you or someone in your life needs treatment for mental health concerns and co-occurring drug or alcohol addiction, please contact us. Our compassionate and knowledgeable team members are on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions you have, and to guide you through the admissions process.