Understanding Addiction Treatment

Important things to know when looking

for an addiction treatment program.

What is Addiction?

Addiction is a baffling disease. It can be hard to understand why someone who is suffering the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse would continue to use. Even when faced with severe consequences (loss of job, family, freedom, even life), some people are not able to stop using alcohol and drugs.

Addiction is a progressive chronic disease. This means it will continue to get worse unless it is addressed. There is no cure for addiction, although it can be managed. If left untreated, addiction can be fatal.

Why Can’t Someone Just Stop?

Addiction is a physical and mental disease. Research has shown that people struggling with addiction have had their brains rewired by their drug and alcohol abuse. It is not a matter of personal strength or moral character.

For many people who are actively abusing drugs and alcohol, detox is a necessary step before entering treatment. Quitting cold turkey can be dangerous, as it can lead to seizures or strokes.

Finding a Treatment Program

There are many treatment programs, and each program is unique. It is important to find the right treatment program for you or your loved one.

Some types of programs to consider:

  • Residential, where clients stay at the program location for an extended period.
  • Outpatient, where clients attend programming during the day.
  • Women with children, where women and their young children live together at a residential treatment center.
  • Integrated Chemical Health and Mental Health, where a person’s addiction and mental health issues are addressed at the same time.
  • Religious-based treatment.
  • LGBT programs, for people who would feel more comfortable in a program that identifies with their sexual orientation.
  • Disability-focused programs, for people who want a program to address the issues surrounding their disability. This can include learning disabilities.

Treatment at Vinland Center

Vinland Center provides drug and alcohol treatment for adults with cognitive impairments. Our program is conducted at a slower-pace and features frequent repetition of material. It is designed for individuals with memory issues, learning disabilities, and/or other cognitive impairments.

Our program was developed to provide drug and alcohol treatment to individuals with brain injuries. Our approach has proven to be beneficial for individuals with a wide variety of cognitive disabilities. An individual does not have to have a brain injury to be admitted into our program.

We do not provide TBI rehabilitation, as we do not offer physical, occupational, or speech therapy.