Choosing Right Rehab Option
Overcoming addiction can be overwhelming. However, there are many options available. If you are ready to tackle your addiction, the next step is choosing the treatment option that is right for you. Here are a few of your options:
Inpatient
Inpatient treatment means that the person seeking treatment moves into the treatment facility and stays there for a period of time, usually ranging from one to six months. In these kinds of programs, patients have the opportunity to fully focus on their recovery, receiving both physical and mental health care.
Inpatient treatment can be very disruptive to daily life. You will not be able to work, take care of your children, or do most of the other things that you do on a day-to-day basis. These programs are also quite expensive because they provide 24/7 care. However, inpatient programs have higher success rates than outpatient programs.
Inpatient treatment generally begins with detox. This is a period when drugs exit the body, and the process can be medically dangerous. Those seeking treatment can have extreme cravings during this time, and withdrawal can even be fatal in rare cases. That’s why it’s crucial to have medical care during withdrawal. They are there to help you get through the first few days without the drugs.
After moving through the detox period, the remainder of the time in rehab is spent helping you recognize triggers and create healthier habits. This can include regular exercise, both group and individual therapy, healthy meals, and other opportunities to rewire your habits so that you can build a new life without the drugs after rehab.
If you have unsuccessfully tried quitting drugs before, an inpatient program might provide the level of support necessaryto achieve your goals this time. Of course, you do not need to have relapsed to qualify for inpatient care - it may be a good option for anyone serious about their recovery.
Outpatient
Outpatient care, on the other hand, lets patients maintain more of their daily life during the treatment process. They can live at home, attend work, spend time with their loved ones, and generally keep the same weekly schedule while adding in the rehab appointments. These programs last longer than inpatient care, typically ranging from three months to a year, because patients spend about ten hours a week in treatment rather than 24 hours a day.
During their time at a treatment center, outpatient program participants will attend counseling and education sessions, learning how to cope without their drug. Many people with mild addiction can find great success with an outpatient treatment program. They can also be helpful for people who have completed an inpatient program and want continued support.
For many, the most challengingaspect of addiction recovery is the social aspect. Most addicts surround themselves with fellow addicts, which means that they lose all of their friends when they try to recover. An outpatient program can help addicts make new friends who share their goals. These programs also allow the patients to maintain their close relationships with family and other friends. If those relationships are healthy, they can be beneficial to building up a support system that will last long after the treatment program has ended.
Outpatient treatment also allows patients to immediately practice what they have learned in the real world, rather than being sheltered in a treatment center. This can be an excellent way to learn how to navigate triggers and create new healthier habits with the support of a treatment program.
Specific Treatments
Both inpatient and outpatient programs offer a variety of specific treatments within their program. While not every patient will take advantage of every treatment option, the variety means that there are many options out there. This means every patient can find what works best for them.
- Counseling : Counseling is a large pillar of addiction treatment because addiction is more than just physical. In fact, the mental aspect is a huge part of it. As an addict, you probably find yourself craving your drug more in certain situations - when stressed, when in a particular place, with a specific group of people, etc. These situations are referred to as “triggers.” Counseling can help you identify triggers and find ways to navigate them without using a drug. It can also help you understand the reasons behind your addiction and plan for a healthier lifestyle moving forward.
- Peer Support : Peer support can be a huge part of addiction recovery. As human beings, we have a natural need for connection. Peer support can help people reduce their substance use, engage more in treatment, and improve self-efficacy. Seeking out relationships with people who also live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle can help you achieve that goal as well.
- Medical intervention : Addiction is both a physical and mental disease and depending on the drugs and the severity of the habit, the biological process of withdrawal can be medically dangerous. That’s why medical intervention is a major part of many rehab treatments. Doctors and nurses can help you wean your body off of drugs without causing more harm.
- Sober living residences : Your daily lifestyle and living environments can either be a huge help or a massive detriment to your goal of staying sober after treatment. If you live around other drug users, or in an environment that triggers you,moving to a sober living residence can help you achieve your goals. In these residences, you are surrounded by other people who are committed to a sober lifestyle and can help you stay on track.
Sources
- Tracy, K., & Wallace, S. P. (2016). Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction. Substance abuse and rehabilitation, 7, 143–154.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition): Types of Treatment Programs.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2016). Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction: What Science Says: 8: Medical detoxification.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). What Is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, October 18). Step by Step Guides to Finding Treatment for Drug Use Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/step-by-step-guides-to-finding-treatment-drug-use-disorders on 2019, December 9
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, July 20). Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction on 2019, December 9
- Polcin, D. L., Korcha, R., Bond, J., & Galloway, G. (2010). What did we learn from our study on sober living houses, and where do we go from here?Journal of psychoactive drugs, 42(4), 425–433. doi:10.1080/02791072.2010.10400705
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); Office of the Surgeon General (US). Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health [Internet]. Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services; 2016 Nov. CHAPTER 4, EARLY INTERVENTION, TREATMENT, AND MANAGEMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424859/
