Drug rehabilitation without professional help is like boxing without a referee. Although peer group therapy works for some people, it has been proven far more effective to work with credentialed physicians and psychologists who can actually get at the heart of the problem. If you don't want to do more harm than good, you may want to look for drug rehabilitation programs that offer a nice blend of individual and group care.

It is easier than you might imagine. Although there remain some staunch holdouts that subscribe exclusively to one school of thought or another, more modern programs nowadays synthesize the best of every approach. The result is a seamless and satisfying course of treatment that includes such diverse features as meditation, hypnotherapy and more. Fundamental to this holistic advantage is the notion of traditional talk therapy—finally making a comeback after years of public mistrust.

One thing you want to avoid if possible is the idea that rehab requires somehow cutting off contact with your friends and family back home. In fact, as most alumni can tell you, those programs tend to lose their potency rather quickly once you exit the grounds, undermined in part by a jarring return to life. Stay in touch throughout, however, and the people who care about you most can participate in the process.

It works. If you have been looking for a rehab program that treats you like a human being and offers lasting tools for self-understanding, the Web can be a great resource to begin.