The Disease of Addiction

Addiction has occurred in one form or another tracing back to the beginnings of recorded civilization. Addiction to alcohol and/or other drugs, such as cocaine, became a serious problem starting in the 20th century due to advancements in biochemistry, improvements in access to drugs, and more advanced modern agricultural practices. The need for rehab and treatment centers has increased considerably over this period of time.

Chemical dependency can be explained as a condition where an individual takes a drug compulsively with apparent disregard for the risk of potential harm to themselves and others and then continues with use despite the occurrence of negative consequences. Many times the person has a desire to stop but cannot accomplish this due to the powerful nature of their addiction. It is at times like this that life-saving treatment and rehab are needed.

How Long Does It Take for Addiction to Develop?

The length of time it takes a person to become an addict varies from individual to individual and often depends upon the drug(s) used. Addiction may develop as quickly as in a few days to a period of months or years. For example, a drug such as alcohol may require more exposure to the user than drugs like crack cocaine, crystal meth, OxyContin, Vicodin, or heroin, which can cause addiction much quicker. It’s also important to understand that a person who is psychologically or genetically predisposed to addiction is much more likely to develop it and to develop it at a quicker rate. A person may also turn to drug use after a traumatic life event such as sexual abuse, or the death of a loved one.
Eventually, a relationship is developed with addiction where drug use becomes the primary coping mechanism for dealing with all aspects of the person’s life. It was once stated by an individual who had suffered from addiction, “I can see now that it used to be that using drugs was the answer to all my problems, and if I wasn’t using I didn’t have any answers.” An important part of the recovery process lies in finding those answers and learning how to say “Yes!” to recovery and life. An effective process of rehab and treatment makes this possible.

Sometimes individuals have experienced traumatic events in their lives which ultimately lead them into their drug addiction. Trauma can come from many sources such as assault, war, natural disaster, accidents, or the loss of a loved one. Once a person has experienced a traumatic event, many symptoms can arise such as headaches, insomnia, depression, anxiety, nightmares, memory problems, flashbacks, and many others. It is extremely important that these issues are also addressed during treatment.

Our Approach

Casa Palmera’s unique approach to rehabilitative recovery integrates the best of traditional treatment with a holistic emphasis on well-being. These combined treatment modalities are designed to help instill strengths and confidence that will extend far beyond an individual’s time spent at Casa Palmera, leading to a meaningful and lasting process of rehabilitation. Our focus on individualized treatment also helps make Casa Palmera a valuable, rare, and life-changing experience. On average, each resident participates in three to four individual therapeutic sessions per week with the clinicians determined most suitable to their individual treatment needs.

Casa Palmera specializes in dual diagnosis and treating individuals with co-occurring disorders. Our integrative and individualized treatment model provides all residents with a comprehensive admissions process which includes nursing, medical, psychiatric, dietary, and psychosocial assessments. Based on the calculated valuations of these multidisciplinary assessments, our talented teams then customize a treatment plan that is unique to each individual’s process of rehabilitation. This includes individual and group therapy, psycho-educational interactive groups, and a rich variety of comprehensive treatment modalities such as yoga, Pilates, equine therapy, art and music therapy, and a ropes challenge course. Moving toward successful completion of treatment residents undergo a comprehensive discharge planning process that ensures they will have the most adequate tools and support needed to continue on their road to recovery and a new life.