Drug & Alcohol Rehab
Alcohol and drug addiction remain a public health concern in the U.S and around the world. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), substance use disorder (SUD) develops from frequent use of alcohol or illicit drugs that cause clinically significant impairments, including health complications and disabilities. Chronic abuse of drugs and alcohol over a prolonged period causes structural and functional changes in the brain that results in dependence, tolerance, and addiction. According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), around one in 12 American adults (18.7 million) suffer from substance use disorder.
The impact of SUD can be far-reaching as it doesn’t just affect people at a personal level but also families and communities alike. Other than personal consequences such as health complications and fractured relationships, they also cost the nation millions of dollars in healthcare, loss of productivity, and incarceration. But despite these adverse consequences, only a few manage to seek appropriate treatment to overcome their addiction.
Due to the chronic nature of addiction, individuals who wish to overcome an alcohol or drug addiction must seek medical treatment from a drug and alcohol rehab if they wish to take control of their life.
What Is Drug and Alcohol Rehab?
Drug and alcohol rehabs are facilities that help individuals overcome their physical and psychological dependence on addictive substances. These rehabs provide patients with medical detoxification programs, evidence-based behavioral therapies, individual and group counseling, and aftercare programs. Depending on a patient’s requirements, alcohol and drug treatment programs can last anywhere between 30 to 90 days or more.
Drug and alcohol rehabs provide a variety of addiction treatment therapies and counseling sessions to help patients identify the root cause of addiction and help change such maladaptive behaviors. They also teach patients relapse prevention techniques, healthy coping mechanisms, and stress management skills to help sustain long-term sobriety. Drug and alcohol rehabs are also well-equipped to help identify any underlying mental health disorders that may have contributed to addiction.
Other services provided at drug and alcohol rehabs include:
- Family therapy
- Behavioral therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Contingency management
- Dialectal behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Motivational interviewing
Types of Drug and Alcohol Rehab
There are various types of drug and alcohol rehabs currently available for substance abuse treatment. Each one differs from the other based on the length of treatment and the level of care provided. It’s estimated that there are over 14,000 rehab facilities across the U.S that specialize in a variety of addiction treatments.
Rehab facilities can be divided into two main categories such as:
- Inpatient rehab
- Outpatient rehab
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient rehabs, also known as residential rehabs, provide patients with a structured and controlled environment to help patients solely focus on their treatment. These rehabs provide around-the-clock supervision and medical assistance to help patients overcome their withdrawal symptoms in a safe and secure manner.
These programs can last anywhere between 30 to 90 days and have doctors, therapists, and addiction professionals on-site to assist patients whenever the need arises. They also provide services such as recreational therapy and recovery-focused social activities along with standard therapies and counseling sessions to make your addiction treatment experience successful and comfortable.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), inpatient rehabs are ideal for patients diagnosed with moderate to severe addictions and co-occurring disorders. Since inpatient treatment detaches patients from their familiar environment, it helps them avoid triggers and temptation until they are better equipped to handle them independently.
Outpatient Care
Unlike inpatient treatment, outpatient rehabs provide patients with flexibility to receive treatment while maintaining their personal and professional lives. Outpatient programs schedule treatment sessions for a few hours, several days a week, depending on the patient’s convenience, and can last anywhere between three to six months to a year. This approach is less intensive than inpatient rehabs, but they are just as committed to helping patients overcome their addiction and dependence.
Outpatient treatment options provide services such as education on drug abuse, individual and group counseling, relapse prevention techniques, and coping mechanisms. Outpatient services are also used as a step-down program from an inpatient program to help patients gradually step back into the outside world.
Outpatient rehabs are ideal for patients with a mild form of addiction and dependence and for those with a supportive home environment. It’s also the preferred treatment plan for people who cannot afford to spend months at an inpatient facility due to obligations at work, school, or at home.
For patients who wish to receive treatment at an outpatient setting but require additional care and support, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or an intensive outpatient program (IOP) are ideal treatment options.
Partial-Hospitalization Program (PHP)
A partial hospitalization program, also referred to as day rehab, is a rehabilitation program that provides on-site therapeutic services during the day but allows you to go back home or to a sober living facility at night. PHP is a type of outpatient treatment that takes place in a hospital setting. These programs provide services similar to those found in a residential rehabilitation facility, including access to mental health care if and when required. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) recommends that PHPs provide 20 hours of treatment per week.
Services provided by PHPs include:
- One-on-one therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Relapse prevention skills
- Medical services
- Treatment for co-occurring disorder
- Medication management
- Drug screening
- Employment and educational assistance
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a type of substance abuse treatment in which people attend rehabilitation programs for a few hours several times a week. An IOP is more time-intensive than most standard outpatient programs. However, unlike an inpatient program, it doesn’t require participants to reside at the facility.
Intensive rehabilitation services typically meet in the morning or evening on weekdays. Community therapy is the main focus of these programs, but they also provide individual counseling and job placement assistance. The majority of services are 90 days long and entail regular drug testing.
Other IOP services include:
- Medication management
- Case management
- Introduction to support groups
- Psychiatric screening
- Vocational training
The frequency and time commitment of IOP meetings are based on tracking milestones achieved by patients. Depending on a patient’s progress, the frequency of treatment may decrease over time.
Why Is Rehab Necessary for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment?
There are many reasons why most people avoid rehabs. Some fear the stigma that’s attached to it, and others are quite skeptical of its effectiveness. They believe that a proper detox is more than sufficient to overcome an addiction to alcohol or drugs and find rehabs not worth their time, effort, and money. As we uncover the true nature of addiction, this notion is further from the truth.
Although detox programs help patients address the physical aspect of addiction, patients still require to overcome the psychological dependence if they wish to prolong their sobriety. This could only be achieved through behavioral therapies and counseling provided by rehab facilities.
Addiction is a chronic relapsing disease that requires life-long treatment. It cannot be overcome and managed without the help of addiction specialists, physicians, and support from peers and family.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, no matter how severe or hopeless the situation may seem, there is always help and support available. Reach out to a rehab facility for support and guidance to improve your quality of life.
At Futures Recovery Healthcare, we understand just how difficult recovery is and are dedicated to helping you find the right treatment plan that meets your individualized needs and requirements. You’re not alone in this journey. Contact us confidentially online or call 866-804-2098 if you have questions about treatment or if you’re ready to take the first step on your recovery journey.
