What is Addiction?

Addiction to alcohol or drugs is a disease with predictable symptoms and phases. Addiction is a compulsive psychological need for a habit-forming substance and, left untreated, can be fatal.

Alcoholism and addiction have symptoms like any other disease. Addicts experience a loss of control in the use of mood altering drugs, a compulsive dependency on chemicals and continued use in spite of dire consequences.

Addiction does not only affect individuals; it also affects their families. With addiction comes the deterioration of a normal, healthy lifestyle. Addiction is marked by denial, delusion, defiance and defensiveness. Family, friendship and social relationships weaken, children are often neglected or abused, jobs are jeopardized or lost, finances fall into disarray and legal problems may occur.

This deteriorating lifestyle does not need to continue. People can, and do, recover from addiction. At the Addiction Recovery Center (ARC), effective treatment makes it possible for alcoholics and their families to live satisfying and full lives without alcohol or drugs.

Treatment

The Addiction Recovery Center treats alcohol and drug dependence as a primary disease. ARC provides several different programs that offer personalized attention, a pleasant environment and the necessary encouragement for recovery. The services for recovery include:

  • Initial Assessment
  • Detoxification Services
  • Individual Outpatient Counseling
  • Intensive Evening Outpatient Treatment Program
  • DUI Assessment and Groups

These programs are comprehensive and offer the following services:

  • Individual and group psychotherapy
  • Involvement with Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous
  • A Family Program
  • An Aftercare Program
  • DUI Education Groups. ARC is a certified provider by the North Florida Safety Council.
  • Individual Treatment Plans

ARC offers treatment programs tailored to each individual's needs. Trained therapists provide individual, group and family counseling. Physicians and nurses supervise detoxification.

The Evening Outpatient Program offers intensive treatment for those individuals who cannot afford to be away from daytime responsibilities. The Evening Outpatient also meets the current specifications of most insurance and managed health care companies.

A Program to Recovery

Treatment is based on AA's "twelve steps" to recovery, assisting the individual in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual recovery. With this approach, the staff helps individuals identify the attitudes and traits necessary for recovery. The patient works on assuming responsibility for personal relationships damaged because of the addiction.

Individual counseling and group sessions provide a positive atmosphere for sharing and learning from each other's experiences. Emphasis is placed on developing coping skills for dealing with life's everyday problems and rebuilding a positive sense of self.

The Family's Role in Recovery

Addiction is treated as a family disease at ARC. When someone is addicted, family members often change their own behavior and frequently develop unhealthy behavior patterns to cope with the problem. For the chemically addicted person to successfully make lasting changes, it is necessary for the family system to change. As an individual in treatment begins to recover, family members need to keep pace. The main goals of the family program are:

  • To educate families about the disease of addiction and provide a framework for recovery and healing for the family.
  • To help family members identify behaviors and self-defeating roles which have negatively impacted the entire family system.
  • To share and draw support from other families who have had similar experiences in living with addiction.
  • To provide opportunities for families to experience improved communications and decision-making skills.
  • To help families make the transition to healthy drug-free relationships.