About 14 million Americans abuse alcohol on a regular basis. It is commonly believed that these people have an illness, referred to as alcohol dependence. Alcohol dependence is curable. If one has the will, the cure often lies with alcohol treatment centers scattered all over the nation.

Due to many reasons, depression being at the top of it, drug addicts often also suffer from alcoholism. To totally clean the individual of this devastating disease, a center will have to address both problems at the same time.

Addiction is basically a disease that grips the brain- forcing an individual to behave out of control. It is not surprising that the same principles used to treat alcoholism since the 1970′s have been adopted to deal with drug addiction in the 1980′s.

Rehabilitation centers are modifying traditional means of treatment with modern and scientific interventions proven over the years of dealing with the disease. They are taking on more holistic approaches to attack the disease at its roots. In so doing, they increase the chances of a patient recovering fro his addiction.

Rehab Centers

There are different types of rehabilitation centers, adhering to several principles and methods of treatments. Depending on the degree of addiction, a patient may be given off-patient or inpatient treatments that may last either for a few days to a full six months.

Hospitals normally have facilities that give outpatient care for drug addicts. They administer detoxification through medication and counseling. Patients go to them for oral medication that inhibits cravings for the addictive drugs. But for graver situations where drug addiction has taken total control of a person’s life, an inpatient or residential treatment is required.

Residential treatment is carried out by private institutions specializing in the rehabilitation of substance addicts. Their treatments are more exhaustive and comprehensive- touching on the medical attention needed by the patient to counseling and to therapies that prepare him for reintegration into the society.

Always check the rehab center’s accreditation and licenses. Getting into a rehab program is an important step to recovery. You will need to choose the best facility to work on you if you want full recovery from the disease.

Welcome to The Ridge, Cincinnati’s premier drug and alcohol residential treatment center. You don’t have to compromise comfort with residential rehabilitation, as we’ve designed The Ridge to provide exceptional clinical care within the comfortable aspects of home, such as:

* Spacious, cozy, private and semi-private rooms.
* 51 wooded acres with outdoor activities, wildlife and plenty of foliage.
* Walking trails, stocked fishing pond, swimming pool, sauna, etc.
* Limited patient admission for privacy, anonymity and personalized patient treatment.
* Fresh, healthy, upscale meals prepared by an on-site executive chef.
* Family participation is welcome, and can become a valuable part of recovery.

Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.

Some of the more common disorders are depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. Symptoms may include changes in mood, personality, personal habits and/or social withdrawal. When these occur in children under 18, they are referred to as serious emotional disturbances (SEDs). Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income.

Here are some important facts about mental illness and recovery:

* Mental illnesses are biologically based brain disorders. They cannot be overcome through “will power” and are not related to a person’s “character” or intelligence.
* Mental disorders fall along a continuum of severity. Even though mental disorders are widespread in the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated in a much smaller proportion — about 6 percent, or 1 in 17 Americans — who suffer from a serious mental illness. It is estimated that mental illness affects 1 in 5 families in America.
* Mental illnesses usually strike individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young and the old are especially vulnerable.
* The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective; between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports.
* With appropriate effective medication and a wide range of services tailored to their needs, most people who live with serious mental illnesses can significantly reduce the impact of their illness and find a satisfying measure of achievement and independence. A key concept is to develop expertise in developing strategies to manage the illness process.
* Early identification and treatment is of vital importance. By ensuring access to the treatment and recovery supports that are proven effective, recovery is accelerated and the further harm related to the course of illness is minimized.