Atlanta’s Leading Substance Abuse & Addiction Treatment Facility

Learn more about addiction treatment at Riverwoods Behavioral Health System near Atlanta, GA

Recovering from substance abuse is no easy task. At times you may feel hopeless and that treatment won’t work for you, but Riverwoods is here to make the recovery process as easy as possible. We offer the most up-to-date, empirically validated treatment and our unconditional support.

Addiction is the repetitive use of a substance such as alcohol, opiates, prescription medication, heroin, or methamphetamines with the purpose of altering your mood. After a prolonged period of time, substance abuse causes the structure and function of the brain to change, and these changes lead to addiction and dependence. When an individual is dependent on a drug, it means that they need that substance both physically and psychologically. This causes drug addicts to continue using the substance in spite of any negative health consequences and damage to their well-being.

You can beat your addiction. It’s okay to be scared of change; it’s not easy. At our facility near Atlanta, Georgia, we provide you with the comforting atmosphere that allows you to begin your transformation into a sober, happier person. You no longer have to suffer alone. Riverwoods is here to help you.

Why consider treatment for addiction at Riverwoods Behavioral Health System near Atlanta, GA

Substance abuse and addiction are serious illnesses that leave behind a path of destruction. People suffering from a substance abuse problem will experience many negative consequences such as loss of job, dysfunctional relationships, or expulsion from school. At times you may also feel depressed, anxious, and completely alone. In addition, substance abuse causes serious health consequences, such as liver damage or failure, HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis C. In the most severe cases, substance abuse can result in death due to an overdose, disease, or suicide. The longer you abuse drugs, the more likely you are to become dependent on that substance. Substance dependency becomes an addict’s whole life.

There are many different reasons why someone may choose to abuse substances. The most common reason is to escape the reality of life. Substance abuse can numb emotions, temporarily helping you to forget traumas and cope with daily stressors. Often, substances are used to numb pain that is too hard to face. While substance use may block out these realities for a period of time, it’s not a cure for long-term problems. In fact, continued substance abuse leads to a variety of other problems. For these reasons, sobriety may seem impossible, but with the right treatment and supportive environment, you can get clean.

Our treatment facility at Riverwoods is very effective for individuals with substance abuse and addiction. We offer a wide range of treatment options that meet the needs of all patients. From the moment you decide to come to us, we will take the time to get to know you as the unique individual you are. Treatment plans will be devised around therapies that best suit your personal needs. You will feel safe and supported while you work through the difficulties that have led to substance addiction. Continuity of care is important to us so we will also make sure that you have an aftercare plan in place so you can continue to work on your recovery and newly developed sobriety. Our treatment facility is located south of Atlanta in Riverdale, Georgia.

Riverwoods Behavioral Health System philosophy and treatment benefits

We believe that no two people are exactly alike; we look at the person as a whole when creating individualized treatment plans that meet each person’s specific needs. While we treat the individual, we also realize that your family can be an important part of your recovery and we include them in the recovery process if you are comfortable doing so.

Our main goal of treatment is to return you to your highest level of functioning, making it possible for you to return to your community and enjoy your life. We will work hard to provide you with the tools necessary in order to achieve this goal.

Types of addiction treatment offered at Riverwoods Behavioral Health System near Atlanta, GA

Our hospital uses empirically validated treatments so you feel secure knowing that their effectiveness is scientifically supported. We have a full team of medical professionals to help in your recovery. This team includes psychiatrists, physicians, nurses, therapists, technicians, and support staff. With a complete treatment team, we are able to offer you the most comprehensive care.

The most common treatment for substance abuse is a combination of behavioral therapies and medication approaches. Depending on the type of substances in your system and your level of addiction your first step of treatment is detox. During the detoxification process, substances are eliminated from your body. Medication is often used during detox to help manage the unpleasantness of withdrawal symptoms.

Once detox is completed and you are stabilized, you will continue to work on your recovery in our addiction treatment facility. The primary focus of our treatment facility is based on the 12-step model for addiction. You will work with your treatment team to set goals for your continued treatment.

In addition to managing withdrawal symptoms, medication may be used over the longer term to manage symptoms of other co-occurring disorders, restore normal brain function, and aid in relapse prevention from substance abuse. In most cases, medication is used in the short term until an individual learns better coping strategies. Medication use and management will be based upon recommendations from your treatment team.

Additional treatment options offered at Riverwoods include individual, group, and experiential therapies.

Our hospital uses individual therapy to closely examine personal issues that may be related to your substance abuse. We also try to understand the underlying cause of your addiction and help you to learn better and more appropriate coping strategies. We will work with you to help identify interpersonal problems that substance abuse has caused and discuss strategies for healing them.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy often used in individual sessions to challenge negative thoughts you have about yourself and your environment. The goal is to change those negative thoughts, thereby changing the negative behaviors. Additional work is done to help you identify triggers for substance abuse and how to effectively cope with those triggers.

Strengths-based counseling is another form of therapy often used in individual therapy sessions that focuses on strengths and skills you already have. By making you aware of the strengths you already possess, you can use these strengths as a starting point for learning better ways to resolve the difficulties in your life. This type of therapy is aimed at empowering you instead of placing a majority of the focus on the problem.

Group therapy is another part of the addiction treatment process. The groups we hold are either process-based groups or psycho-educational groups. Each process group focuses upon a common theme, such as the consequences of substance abuse or triggers that may lead to relapse. These groups allow you to work through your personal emotions while also connecting with individuals going through similar circumstances. Psycho-educational groups educate you about topics related to substance abuse, such as medication management or co-occurring disorders. You will most likely participate in both types of groups.

The family is an important aspect of treatment, therefore we encourage family members to take an active role in your recovery. Family therapy is used to help work through specific family issues related to your addiction. During this time, family members can express how your addiction has impacted them while learning more about the disease of addiction. A great deal of time is spent focusing on life after you are discharged from our facility. We will help establish connections to outside resources so family members can continue to address additional struggles they may face.

Riverwoods offers additional methods outside of traditional therapy models to help you recover from substance abuse. These include:

• Expressive therapy
• Recreational therapy
• Nutrition and other wellness strategies
• Art therapy
• Music therapy
• A.A. and N.A.

Continuing care and levels of treatment for addiction

The final stage of your addiction treatment at Riverwoods is to establish an effective aftercare plan that will allow you to continue to work on your recovery. This post-discharge treatment plan is designed to make sure your needs are met once you leave us. For some people, the next step in treatment is to transfer into a residential facility. For others, it may be more appropriate to move into a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).

Our main goal for discharge planning is to make sure that you have the necessary tools to continue to be successful in your recovery and to ensure that you feel comfortable transitioning to a new facility. We will do everything we can to set you up with aftercare options that meet the needs of your treatment plan.

If you or someone you love is suffering from substance abuse or addiction please contact our treatment facility to set up a confidential consultation. We will help you decide on the most appropriate course of action.