Substance addiction, also known as a substance use disorder, is a chronic brain disease. It happens when drugs cause long-term changes in a user’s body and brain, altering its functioning. Addicts do not choose to become addicted to drugs. Instead, they become physically and psychologically dependent on the drugs to survive.
When people are imprisoned for their drug-abuse problems, it exacerbates addiction’s wrong and debilitating stigma. People who are addicted become even more afraid to seek help.
Here are some of the reasons why a rehab clinic in Norfolk should be considered rather than a jail:
Using Time to Treat Drug Addiction
Using jails and prisons to deal with drug addicts is not the most effective solution. Drug addiction is a severe problem. It is difficult to stop, and people cannot “just stop using,” as some may believe. A drug rehab clinic in Norfolk is a far better option than jail time for many people struggling with addiction. When reviewing those in the system for drug offenses, comparing the benefits of rehab vs. jail time is critical.
Punishment vs. Treatment Imbalance
That is the primary reason why rehab is preferable to prison. You are a sick person who needs to heal, not a “bad” person who needs to be punished. That is not to say that being diagnosed with an alcohol or substance use disorder is a “get-out-of-jail-free card.” If you’ve committed a crime, you’ll still be required to make restitution, both financially and physically. However, unless those disorders are treated, you are not addressing the root cause of the problem. The environment in jails does little to encourage sobriety.
Furthermore, very few treatment resources are available within the jail and prison systems. People who enter jail under the influence have limited access to medical care.
Drug Rehab: A Viable Alternative
Jail sentences usually keep people stuck in the cycle of addiction than help them break free. But, court-ordered treatment programs are another option for those facing drug-related charges. Rather than incarcerating people with substance abuse problems, sending them to a drug rehab clinic in Norfolk is a far more effective solution.
Drug Rehabilitation vs. Incarceration
Some institutions provide programs, but they pale compared to a specialized addiction treatment center. A treatment facility’s entire foundation revolves around providing individuals with the tools they need to live life without relying on drugs or alcohol. A jail or prison system cannot possibly offer the same level of support as a drug rehab program.
Promoting Recovery for Those in Danger
Sending people to a drug rehab clinic in Norfolk is a more positive approach to rehabilitation than locking them up in prison. They are more likely to graduate from an addiction treatment program with life skills that will aid in their reintegration into society. Treatment educates people suffering from substance abuse disorders about their addiction. Prison does not.
Prison only provides a temporary and costly band-aid solution to the underlying problem of addiction. It does not help people overcome substance abuse or disorders in the long run. It removes these people from their communities at the time, but it also prepares them for a slew of challenges after they are released. So it is better to choose a rehab clinic in Norfolk when required.
