Drug & Alcohol Rehab Center for Ontario

Choosing a good Ontario drug rehab may not be as easy as it seems. Different rehab centres for Ontario offer different methods to overcome substance abuse addiction. In fact, the methods of treatment can be very different between centers.

It is important to find a rehabilitation center that offers a treatment plan that is holistic (which means they treat the mind, body and spirit of the individual) and also one that does not use substitute drugs to treat drug or alcohol addiction. The idea is to rid the body of drugs, not to substitute one drug for another.

Detoxification is the first step for most rehab centers. Ridding the body of the offending substances is the first step in rehabilitation. This is the step that most people fear; however, there are ways of easing the symptoms of going through withdrawal and detox. A good drug rehab program, such as Narconon, will help the addict through withdrawal and detoxification without using a substitute drug. All drugs and/or alcohol must be eliminated from the body. Those centers that substitute drugs are simply introducing yet another drug. In order for a recovering addict to be clean and ready to rehabilitate, all drugs should be out of his or her system.

An effective rehabilitation center for Ontario and anywhere else, would be one with a good record. Not everyone succeeds the first time at rehabilitation but the over-all numbers should be good. A good Ontario Rehab center treats all aspects of the person. Drugs and alcohol can alter the body, the mind, and the spirit. Each one of those must be addressed in order to heal the entire person. Many Ontario drug rehabs will only attempt to heal the body. Ignoring the other two aspects often leads to relapse and the addict must start all over. Remember that the whole person must be treated, not just one or two aspects of them.

Caring professionals should describe every member of the rehab staff at a good Ontario substance abuse rehabilitation centre. Keep in mind that even though staff may be caring and professional, sometimes there are personality conflicts. This is only natural. Especially when the nature of the job is to overcome drugs and/or alcohol, the drug counselor often bears the brunt of the anger that is shown by the addict. All-in-all, however, the staff should be receptive to the client as well as their loved ones.

Each individual and family member may have their own criteria as to what constitutes a good rehab center. We invite you to talk to one of our substance abuse counselor here at Narconon to see how we can help you or a loved one to recover from drug or alcohol addiction and regain a happy and successful life.

No matter if this is to recover from alcoholism or any other drug addiction, such as prescription drugs, marijuana, crack cocaine, opiates or crystal meth, we have the technology and the care to assist you and your loved ones.

Drug Trends
The Emergence of ATS

UNODC has sounded the alarm on amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) (e.g., methamphetamine, ecstasy). UNODC Executive Director Antonio Costa recently said that, "in the period ahead, the use of synthetic drugs may become the most serious problem ever faced".

In light of this warning, it may be worth briefly reviewing what we know about ATS. ATS are a form of synthetic drug that, among other possible effects, act as a stimulant. A synthetic drug is one that is manufactured in a lab and does not rely on plant-based components. Another term applied to ATS is "designer drugs" because many were originally designed to get around drug laws by shifting the molecular structure of a banned drug. Other common synthetic drugs include LSD, GHB and ketamine.

ATS have emerged over the past 15-20 years and have become readily available because they are so easy and cheap to produce, and the production labs can be quickly established or moved. A particular climate or special growing conditions are not needed, so labs can be found in most parts of the world. A major worldwide concern with these substances is the possibility that unknown chemicals could be added during manufacture, resulting in unexpected effects and possibly fatal consequences.

Over the past decade, rates of ATS use have increased more than any other drug group worldwide. ATS are the next most commonly used illicit substance after cannabis among high school students in every place where information is available. Most users are mainstream adolescents and young adults. Through the '90s, ATS were most associated with nightclubs, dance scenes and resort activity, but there now appears to be a trend by mainstream youth toward use in other settings. Athletes may use these stimulants in the belief that they delay fatigue and improve performance. In developing countries, labourers (including children and youth), sometimes use stimulants to help them work longer hours.

ATS of particular concern are methamphetamine. Methamphetamine can be taken orally, smoked, inhaled or injected (with injection being the most risky). Like cocaine, use of the drug results in feelings of increased energy and grandiosity. Users are susceptible to accidents, violence, HIV, hepatitis C (from dirty needles) and risky sexual activity as a result of impulsiveness and impaired judgment.

Because of the intensity of the effects and the depression experienced after coming off the drug, it is relatively easy to become dependent. Treatment for methamphetamine dependence is reported to take longer than with many other substances because of the depression that can linger for a number of months after stopping use.

Methamphetamine use has been a concern in parts of the US for a number of years. It is currently the leading substance of concern in South-east Asia, replacing heroin. A study in Thailand found that 29% of vocational students had used methamphetamines (39% of males and 18% of females). The following are percentages from 1999 of 15-year-olds who have used amphetamines in different areas of the world where comparable statistics are collected:

Europe - lowest country 0%
Europe - highest country 8%
USA - 16%
Australia - 9%
Ontario, Canada - 11%

Patterns of use for another type of ATS, ecstasy, appear to be converging in several parts of the world. Early rates of relatively high prevalence in several Western European countries in the mid-'90s have stabilized, whereas rates in Eastern Europe, the US and Canada have recently increased and, in some cases, surpassed Western European rates. Prevalence rates of ecstasy use in other parts of the world are low, however, the number of times it is mentioned in country and media reports is increasing. The following are percentages from 1999 date of 15-year-olds who have used ecstasy in different areas of the world where comparable statistics are collected:

Europe - lowest country 0%
Europe - highest country 6%
USA - 6%
Australia - 5%
Ontario, Canada - 5%

Users of ecstasy report a pleasant experience that includes a sense of increased empathy for others. Aside from questions about the actual ingredients of an ecstasy pill, the most common immediate problem linked to ecstasy is dehydration resulting from use of the drug while dancing over long periods. As with all substances, use with other drugs increases risks. While most do not continue to use ecstasy beyond early adulthood, some are heavy continuous users who are more likely to also use other substances and more likely to experience problems as a result. There are indications that ecstasy may cause long-term damage to the brain, however, this is controversial with some critics questioning the quality of the research.

A common intervention addressing ecstasy risks in Europe (less so in North America) is on-site pill testing operations. These programmes aim to provide information and support to those attending techno dance parties or raves. These operations vary between prevention and harm reduction in their approach and messages, however, they all share the goal of providing accurate, timely information on the chemical make-up of pills being presented as ecstasy. Many also use the contact with dancers to provide "safer dancing" messages, counselling and other supports. With the exception of the Netherlands, where they are supported by the national drug strategy, these services generally operate through informal agreements among local governments, police and dance sponsors.

Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Program

The Narconon program has worked for over thirty years to help patients end their addictions to drugs, alcohol, painkillers, and other controlled substances. The hallmark of Narconon is its ability to create a drug free rehab and drug-free recovery program that frees patients from the fears of substituting anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication, and sedatives for the original drug.

Indeed, Narconon believes that a natural, holistic approach to withdrawal is the most beneficial program for a patient. Once a patient has rid himself of toxins in the body, the mind recovers from its need for addictions and the cycle of abuse ends gradually, permanently. Drug rehabilitation, alcohol rehab, and addiction-ending programs must begin with a withdrawal from the substance in question, often leaving the patient in the throes of anxiety, depression, fear, and substitute cravings.

At Narconon, we do not substitute addictions or leave patients to suffer through these withdrawals, but rather educate patients and help them to understand why the body created the addiction as a coping mechanism. Over time, as the body rids itself of biochemical toxins, we help them reclaim their life by taking control of their body. Through nutritional supplements, exercise, and simply sweating out toxins, they'll be able to speed withdrawal and enjoy life with a new structure of purpose and relief.