Alexandria Drug Rehab and
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Information

Looking for drug rehab treatment or counseling centers in Alexandria? Please call toll free 1-888-341-3784 to speak with one of our representatives who can help you locate a facility to meet your needs. Our resources cover North, East, South, West, and the Central areas of Alexandria.

Across the country there are numerous different kinds of alcohol addiction, drug rehab, and treatment programs. Whether you are looking for a drug rehab center for yourself or someone you care about in Alexandria, one of the most important things you can do is to become educated on the many different kinds of drug rehab methods that exist.

Here are a few of the many different kinds of drug rehab programs that exist: outpatient counseling, detoxification, short-term inpatient treatment (30-day program) and long-term residential treatment (longer than 60 days). Also, inside the above mentioned programs there are two different types of rehab models. One medical model which substitutes one drug addiction for another during the treatment process, such as methadone maintenance. The other model is one which is entirely drug-free and does not prescribe more drugs to the addict. It is not unusual for many of the drug rehab centers in Alexandria, Virginia to have aftercare or a follow-up program in addition to their initial rehab program.

Drug Threat in Alexandria

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Drug Situation: Historically, the mid-Atlantic region has served as a thoroughfare for drugs, drug-related proceeds, weapons and other contraband traveling along the east coast of the United citys. Alexandria cities situated along Intercity-95 are vulnerable to "spillover" drug distribution from traffickers moving between the two major eastern drug importation hubs of New York City and Miami. Cocaine, Crack Cocaine and the violence attendant with the trafficking of these drugs are the most significant drug problem in the city, according to most law enforcement sources. However, MDMA abuse and distribution is an already large and still-growing problem, seizures of clandestine Methamphetamine laboratories increase every year, and Mexican trafficking organizations are making enormous inroads in the Cocaine, methamphetamine and Marijuana distribution markets in nearly every part of the city.

Cocaine: Cocaine in both powder and Crack forms is prevalent throughout the city of Alexandria, in both wholesale and retail quantities. Considerable levels of violence continue to be associated with the Crack Cocaine trade in urban areas. Colombian and Dominican drug trafficking organizations in New York City remain the primary sources for most of the Cocaine available in Alexandria. Nonetheless, many local traffickers are becoming more reliant on Mexican sources of supply in the southwestern U.S., North Carolina and Georgia.

Heroin: The Richmond and Tidewater areas of Alexandria both boast a consistent, long-term Heroin abuse population. Pockets of Heroin distribution are present in other areas of the city as well, but the problem is less pronounced. In recent years, "experimental" use of Heroin by younger drug users was on the rise, but appears to have stabilized. Most of the Heroin encountered in Alexandria tends to be of higher-than-average purity. In the Norfolk area, Heroin is packaged primarily in gelatin capsules, while it is packaged in small, usually colored or marked, ziploc baggies in other parts of the city.

Methamphetamine: Although still minimal, localized clandestine manufacture of Methamphetamine has increased in Alexandria every year for the past several years, with most of the activity centered on the far southwestern corner of the city bordering West Alexandria, North Carolina and Kentucky. The Shenandoah Valley region contains the highest percentage of Methamphetamine abusers in the city, and was the first area of the city to receive a huge influx of Mexican immigrants, whose presence encouraged an expansion of existing Mexican drug-trafficking networks. In rave and nightclub venues, both "ice" and Methamphetamine have become drugs of choice.

Club Drugs: Of the club drugs widely abused and available within Alexandria, MDMA is by far the easiest to obtain and most in demand. Once limited to abuse among teen and young-adult "ravers" from the affluent Washington, DC suburbs, MDMA is now a drug of choice among young adult drug users throughout the city, regardless of socio-economic and ethnic background. GHB and Ketamine are also widely available but, unlike MDMA, tend to remain within the nightclub/rave community. Other hallucinogenic and stimulant drugs, such as the piperazines, psilocybin mushrooms, LSD and PCP are also available, with their abuse tending to exhibit cyclical patterns or be limited to particular venues and/or events.

Marijuana: Marijuana is the most widely abused drug in the city of Alexandria. Most of the Marijuana available in the city is commercial grade product, imported from the southwestern U.S. Demand for high-grade Marijuana, however, is at extremely high levels with source areas ranging from the Pacific Northwest to the New England citys. Outdoor Marijuana cultivation flourishes during the spring and summer, and indoor grows are increasingly common. Hydroponic indoor grows have not been encountered.

OxyContin and Other Prescription Drug Diversion: Alexandria is one of the half-dozen or so citys commonly cited by law enforcement and medical practitioners when discussing the national Oxycontin abuse "epidemic." Indeed, Alexandria was one of the first citys to record extraordinary levels of Oxycontin diversion and abuse. Although abuse of the prescription painkiller was initially limited to users in the southwestern portion of the city, that abuse has spread to include most of western Alexandria and much of central and northern Alexandria as well. Sources for diverted Oxycontin are located both within and outside of Alexandria's borders. The diversion and abuse of other prescription drugs has a long history in Alexandria, particularly in the southwestern portion of the city.

DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams: This cooperative program with city and local law enforcement counterparts was conceived in 1995 in response to the overwhelming problem of drug-related violent crime in towns and cities across the nation. There have been 409 deployments completed resulting in 16,763 arrests of violent drug criminals as of February 2004. There have been nine Washington Division Mobile Enforcement Team (MET) deployments in the city of Alexandria since the inception of the program: Manassas, Chincoteague, Fredericksburg, Richmond, Petersburg, Hampton, Prince William County, Hopewell, and Shenandoah Valley.

DEA Regional Enforcement Teams: This program was designed to augment existing DEA division resources by targeting drug organizations operating in the United citys where there is a lack of sufficient local drug law enforcement. This Program was conceived in 1999 in response to the threat posed by drug trafficking organizations that have established networks of cells to conduct drug trafficking operations in smaller, non-traditional trafficking locations in the United citys. Nationwide, there have been 22 deployments completed resulting in 608 arrests of drug trafficking criminals as of February 2004. There has been one RET deployment in the city of Alexandria since the inception of the program: Portsmouth.

Other Enforcement Operations: The Washington/Baltimore HIDTA and Metropolitan Area Task Force (MATF) both participate in and assist in the funding of enforcement groups in northern Alexandria. Northern Alexandria is further served by an interdiction task force covering Reagan National Airport, Dulles International Airport, and the Amtrak train station in Alexandria.

Special Topics: The Annandale High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)/MATF is comprised of two DEA task forces. Seven local agencies and the city Police are represented. On the federal level, the FBI provides three Special Agents. Housed within the same office space is a joint IRS/Secret Service money laundering group. Analytical support is provided by intelligence analysts assigned to the Washington Field Division’s Intelligence Group 31.

Drug rehabilitation is a multi-phase, multi-faceted, long term process. Detoxification is only the first step on the road of addiction treatment. Physical detoxification alone is not sufficient to change the patterns of a drug addict. Recovery from addiction involves an extended process which usually requires the help of drug addiction professionals. To make a successful recovery, the addict needs new tools in order to deal with situations and problems which arise. Factors such as encountering someone from their days of using, returning to the same environment and places, or even small things such as smells and objects trigger memories which can create psychological stress. This can hinder the addict's goal of complete recovery, thus not allowing the addict to permanently regain control of his or her life.

Almost all addicts tell themselves in the beginning that they can conquer their addiction on their own without the help of outside resources. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case. When an addict makes an attempt at detoxification and to discontinue drug use without the aid of professional help, statistically the results do not last long. Research into the effects of long-term addiction has shown that substantial changes in the way the brain functions are present long after the addict has stopped using drugs. Realizing that a drug addict who wishes to recover from their addiction needs more than just strong will power is the key to a successful recovery. Battling not only cravings for their drug of choice, re-stimulation of their past and changes in the way their brain functions, it is no wonder that quitting drugs without professional help is an uphill battle.

As an organization we are dedicated to finding the correct solution for your specific addiction problem. Our referral list contains over 3,000 resources which encompass the following treatment categories :

Drug Rehab, Alexandria, Virginia, VA

The ultimate goal of a drug rehab is to enable the individual to achieve lasting abstinence from drug use. The short term goal of a drug rehab is to help the individual through detox and withdrawal from drugs in addition to improving their ability to function in society again. A drug rehab will help minimize the medical and social complications of drug abuse.

Patients who stay in a drug rehab longer than 3 months typically have better outcomes than those who stay less time. Those who go through medically assisted withdrawal to minimize discomfort but do not receive any further rehab, perform about the same in terms of their substance use as those who never attended a drug rehab. Over the last 25 years, studies have shown that attending a drug rehab works to reduce drug intake and crimes committed by drug-dependent people. Researchers also have found that drug abusers who have been through a drug rehab are more likely to have jobs.

Inpatient Drug Rehab, Alexandria, Virginia, VA

Inpatient drug rehab is one of many methods whose ultimate goal is long-term abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Those who attend an inpatient drug rehab use the new tools they have learned to help them re-enter society and lead responsible, successful drug and alcohol free lives.

Inpatient drug rehab centers offer support and structure for men and women seeking help for problems with drugs or alcohol. Participants reside on location for the course of the rehab program; lengths of stay vary and may be individualized. Care at an inpatient drug rehab is provided 24 hours a day 7 days a week; this is only one of the benefits of attending an inpatient drug rehab.

Outpatient Drug Rehab, Alexandria, Virginia, VA

An outpatient drug rehab is a program designed to provide long-term abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Outpatient drug rehab programs use a broad verity of techniques. These techniques include a wide range of approaches including problem-solving groups, specialized therapies such as insight-oriented psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and 12-step programs. Similar to other drug rehabs, the individual may stay in the program for several months or longer. Those who attend an outpatient drug rehab do not live at the drug rehab as they would an inpatient drug rehab.

Outpatient drug rehab programs vary in the types and intensity of services offered. Low-intensity outpatient drug rehab programs may offer little more than drug education and counsel. Other outpatient drug rehab models, such as intensive day treatment, can be comparable to residential programs in services and effectiveness, depending on the individual's characteristics and needs. All in all, the ultimate goal of an outpatient drug rehab is to help the individual recover from drug addiction so that they may re-enter society and lead responsible, successful drug and alcohol free lives.

Alcohol Rehab, Alexandria, Virginia, VA

Alcohol rehab is a place where an individual who has a drinking problem can receive help. Rehab is a program that helps the individual with their alcohol addiction and provides them with the tools necessary for a complete recovery.

Alcohol rehab works for many people who have problems with alcohol abuse. But just like any other drug of abuse, the individual has to be committed to make a change for the better. Some people stop drinking and remain sober. Others have long periods of sobriety with bouts of relapse. And still others cannot stop drinking for any length of time. With alcohol rehab, one thing is clear: the longer a person abstains from alcohol, the more likely he or she will be able to stay sober.

Drug Detox, Alexandria, Virginia, VA

The goal of detox is to rid the body of toxins accumulated by drug use. The first step of detox is drug withdrawal. Drug withdrawal is "the act or process of ceasing to use an addictive drug." Once an individual has discontinued using drugs physical and behavioral withdrawal symptoms may follow. Detox is a process that helps diminish the uncomfortable symptoms of drug withdrawal.

Detox is performed in many different ways depending on where you decide to receive treatment. Most detox centers simply provide treatment to avoid physical withdrawal to alcohol & other drugs. A quality detox program will not only to provide the individual with counseling during detox but help with the physical withdrawal and the psychological root cause of the individual's addiction problem, so as to decrease the chances of relapse.

Drug detox can be viewed in three separate stages:

1. Medical Detox: A medical doctor will need to supervise your medical withdrawal from drugs, ensuring you complete this phase safely and with minimal complications. Medical detox can take several days.

2. Physical Detox: Once your body is no longer dependent on drugs, you will need to work on building up your physical health. A nutritionist can be helpful during this phase, enabling you to develop a balanced diet to help you through the rest of the detox process.

3. Emotional Detox: Detox can be extremely difficult on your emotional health, which is why most treatment centers offer counseling during detox. Because drugs have become an integral part of your mental, emotional and social life, you will need emotional help as you detox.

You can overcome addiction and we can help. Contact us for free consultation today.