Drug and alcohol addiction is categorized by an obsessive and compulsive need for a substance despite its negative effects on one's health, emotional sanity, and relationships. When a loved one is suffering from a substance abuse problem, help may seem far away. However, there are many Jewish recovery options for addicts seeking treatment. One way Jewish addicts can seek help is through a residential treatment center.

A residential Jewish drug rehab usually requires its patients to stay inpatient for a minimum of 30 days. In those 30 days, patients work with licensed addiction therapists, psychiatrists, and detox specialists. Although most Jewish treatment centers are non-secular, they provide faith based programs. Using the teachings of the torah as a means of spiritual and physiological guidance, patients are able to recover from drug addiction.

When first checking into residential care, patients undergo a medical detox. Detoxification is the process in which an addict comes down from their high, and rids the body of all the harmful substances, and remaining drugs in their system. At inpatient treatment centers, a detox is supervised and administered by medical professionals. Detoxing from certain substances can be both physically and mentally dangerous. Therefore, it is important to be under the care of detox professionals during this time. After the initial detox, patients undergo an evaluation by their primary therapist and physiatrist. Often times, patients are given non-addictive sleep medication and anti-depressants. When first getting sober, an addict’s brain chemicals are often imbalanced. Anti-depressants such as SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors) help regulate chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine.

After evaluation patients begin to participate in individual therapy sessions along with group therapy sessions. Group therapy involves all the patients in the treatment center and is run by a therapist. Group therapy allows patients to share and relate past experiences and feelings. This helps enforce the idea that no addict is alone in their fight against substance abuse. Group therapy often covers topics such as codependency, relapse prevention, and anger management.

Jewish residential drug rehabs also provide healthy eating choices and exercise equipment. A healthy diet and regular exercise routine has proven to help addicts with their mind, body, and spirit in early sobriety. In addition to the usual cognitive-behavioral approach most addiction therapists use, there are other types of therapy used in treatment centers. Some alternative types of therapy include art therapy, equine therapy, and meditation. Patients also participate in 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). 12-step programs incorporate spirituality, service work, and unity as a means to help people stay and get clean. At Jewish treatment centers, the Jewish 12-steps are practiced. The Jewish 12-steps are based off of the original 12-steps of AA. However, they combine traditional teachings of the torah with the basic principles of AA and other 12-step programs.
There are hundreds of Jewish treatment centers throughout the country. In the greater Boston area, you can seek Jewish recovery at:

Jewish Recovery Network,
333 Nahanton Street
Newton, MA 02459-3213
(617) 527-1888

The Jewish Recovery Network is affiliated with JACS. JACS, (Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons, and Significant others) is a great resource for the Jewish recovery community. They promote knowledge of addiction and addiction treatment, and how it affects those in the Jewish community. For more information please visit, http://www.jacsweb.org/

For Jewish treatment centers around the country please visit www.Treatment4Addiction.com