How did “social” drinking or drug use become an addiction?
The progression of an addiction varies from person to person. Some may have a genetic or biological risk factor; others may have learned to use substances as a way of coping. For some, “social” use may never become an addiction; but typically, addiction is a progressive illness, with the amounts of the substance used increasing over time. Often those with a predisposition will experience a “trigger” situation such as the loss of a loved one, depression or anxiety, which leads to increased use. Once the pattern of regular use is established, the cycle of addiction will continue on its own.

How do I get help?
Addiction is treatable and help is available NOW! Contact us at (202) 462-7500 or email us at info@rapinc.org. Our staff will provide direction and information. In addition, these resources can help:
• The DC Metro Substance Abuse Hot Line at 1-888-294-3572
• DC General Detox, a part of the Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration at 202-698-6080 or visit http://dchealth.dc.gov/
• If you are involved with the criminal justice system, contact your Court Services Officer directly or visit www.csosa.gov
• Nationally, help is available through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) www.nida.nih.gov or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP or at www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

What if my friend or family member is in denial, or doesn’t think it’s a problem?
If your loved one is not yet aware that he or she has a problem, then you should seek support and guidance for your specific situation. In general, those in denial need support to see how their actions are causing harm to themselves and to others.

What do I do if he or she refuses help?
If your loved on refuses help, it is often useful for you to seek support for yourself. When someone we love is facing an addiction, it is very stressful and we may face a variety of feelings including fear, anger, frustration and helplessness. By seeking help ourselves, we will be better able to offer support to our loved one.

What is treatment?
Treatment components will vary but typically begin with an initial assessment. In this meeting, a trained counselor will help to identify the severity of addiction and to determine an appropriate course of action. If outpatient treatment is recommended, you may see a counselor individually or in a group once per week. For some, intensive outpatient services are required which involves meeting more than once per week. With some chemical addictions, detox services may be recommended. This involves medical monitoring as your body passes through the physical symptoms of withdrawal from chemical dependency. For some with severe addictions, residential treatment may be recommended, this may be short or long term and involves daily counseling services while living in one of our facilities.

What is residential treatment?
Residential treatment involves intensive, 24 hour support for individuals seeking to develop and to maintain abstinence from substances. Individuals attend our program for 4 months or longer as determined by the treatment planner.

How do 12-Step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous fit into treatment?
Self-help 12-Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can complement and extend the effects of professional treatment.
The twelve-step ideology supports individuals in maintaining abstinence. Essentially, these steps are organized in an order, going from the most basic life changes to the more advanced changes that individuals motivated to recover may seek to integrate into their lives. The shared stories of others help addicts confront the reality of their addiction and recognize the harm it has done to them and to the people they care about. Involvement with these groups helps recovering individuals to develop a social support network, and provides a sense of belonging that can lead to a new identity for those whose primary identity has been as an alcoholic or addict.

For more information, visit these sites:
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
www.na.org
www.nida.nih.gov

What is a therapeutic community?
The therapeutic community (TC) offers drug and alcohol-free residential settings that use the influence of the community comprising treatment staff and those in recovery, as key agents of change. A variety of group processes is used to help individuals learn and assimilate social values and develop more effective social skills.

In addition to the importance of the community as a primary agent of change, a second fundamental TC principle is “self-help.” Self-help implies that the individuals in treatment are the main contributors to the change process. “Mutual self-help” means that individuals also assume partial responsibility for the recovery of their peers – an important aspect of an individual’s own treatment. The stages of treatment reflect increased levels of personal and social responsibility.

Where are your services provided?
RAP operates residential substance abuse treatment facilities in Laurel, Maryland and in Washington, D. C.

What does your treatment program consist of?
RAP offers a variety of services including residential rehabilitation, individual and group counseling, aftercare, mental health and case management services and an intensive educational curriculum: drug education and relapse prevention, anger management, nutrition, HIV/AIDS education, life skills and spirituality seminars. A team of experienced and certified counselors, social workers, a registered dietician and available 24-hour medical staff delivers our range of services.

What is an average day of treatment like?
Treatment programs will vary for each individual. At RAP, we stress:

- Patient involvement in treatment planning

- An appropriate schedule of individual counseling combined with group counseling and education

- A balanced approach to related life challenges, such as diet and overall health, physical exercise, job skills training, financial management and integrity in personal relationships

- Orientation to 12-Step programs and other post-treatment recovery-oriented activities and programs.