In a perfect world, no one would ever experience the devastating effects of drug addiction. In our world, however, this is not the case. Every day, thousands of people from all walks of life struggle with drug addiction and its negative consequences on their personal lives and future plans. For those who are struggling with drug addiction and battling the desire to use again, it can be a very scary time. You might feel like you have nowhere to turn for help in overcoming your substance abuse problem and understand that continued usage will only lead to more negative outcomes in your life. Fortunately, there are many places you can go for assistance when it comes to addressing your drug addiction. From inpatient rehab centers to outpatient support groups and everything in between, there are numerous different types of drug addiction treatment programs available. The following guide covers everything you need to know about getting help with an addiction from various recovery programs or facilities.
What is Drug Addiction Treatment?
Drug addiction treatment, or “rehab” as it is more commonly known, is the process of receiving medical care to address and overcome a drug addiction. Addiction is a chronic disease that affects the brain. Addiction can happen to anyone and does not discriminate based on your age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or anything else.
Most people enter into some type of drug addiction treatment program either in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Treatment programs are typically recommended for people who are experiencing severe and persistent physical or psychological symptoms as a result of their drug use. The most common initial recommendation when someone is ready to start the process of addiction treatment is something called “detox.”
Rehab Facilities & Programs
A rehab facility is a place where people with drug addictions receive treatment. Most residential facilities offer programs that last anywhere from 30 to 90 days, although some offer less-intensive outpatient or partial-hospitalization programs that last much less time.
Outpatient treatment is when people attend a program but usually not on site, rather, they attend treatment in their own home. There are many different types of rehab programs, from holistic methods to group therapy, medical detox, and more. No two rehab programs are exactly the same, but the goal of all of them is to help you overcome your addiction by addressing the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of substance abuse.
Residential drug rehab programs can come in many different forms, from inpatient hospital-like facilities to outpatient facilities that are more like a medical clinic. Inpatient programs are the most intensive types of drug rehab and are typically recommended for people who are experiencing severe and persistent physical or psychological symptoms as a result of their drug use. Outpatient programs are less intensive but provide just as much support and supervision as inpatient programs.
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient rehab is a residential program of treatment that involves living at a drug or alcohol treatment center away from home as part of your addiction assistance. The number of treatment days at an inpatient facility will vary depending on the person’s substance use history, health condition, and other extenuating factors. In general, inpatient rehab facilities offer a highly structured and intensive level of care that is designed to provide the person with skills and tools necessary to maintain a lasting recovery after returning home.
Inpatient programs may take a variety of different forms, such as medical detox, mental health treatment, group therapy, and more. The level of care offered at these facilities and the amount of time spent at them varies depending on the person’s treatment needs. The more intensive the level of care, the more time people tend to spend in inpatient rehab. Outpatient drug rehab is a less intensive level of care and is typically recommended for people who do not need as much time away from home or are looking for a less-intensive level of treatment.
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient drug rehab is a program of addiction treatment that is not done in a residential setting. Instead, people attend addiction treatment on a regular basis, but they do so away from the treatment center and in their own home. The number of treatment sessions at an outpatient facility will vary depending on the person’s substance use history and other extenuating factors. In general, outpatient programs are less intensive than residential programs but still provide people with the skills and tools necessary to maintain a lasting recovery.
Outpatient programs may take a variety of different forms, such as group therapy, individual therapy, medical services, and more. The level of care offered at these facilities and the number of hours of treatment per week varies depending on the person’s needs. The more intensive the level of care, the more hours people tend to spend in outpatient rehab.
Co-occurring Mental Illness Treatment
Some people who are battling drug addictions also have co-occurring mental illnesses, such as depression or anxiety. Others may have mental illnesses in addition to drug addictions, referred to as “co-occurring” disorders. In both of these situations, it is important to seek treatment for both illnesses.
It is not uncommon for people who are battling drug addictions to also have co-occurring mental illnesses. In fact, many times mental illnesses like anxiety and depression can be what leads a person to start using drugs in the first place! There are a few different types of treatment that can help when a person is dealing with both addictions and mental illnesses.
Mental health treatment - This can mean different things depending on the person’s situation, but often it can mean seeing a therapist or psychiatrist on a regular basis.
Medication - Some mental illnesses like depression or anxiety are treated with medication. People with both addictions and mental illnesses may need to be on medication for their mental illnesses as well as for their substance use disorder.
Wrapping up: Drug addiction is a disease. Be patient and know that you are not alone in this struggle.
While it is true that drug addiction is a disease that can be treated with medical care and assistance, it is also important to remember that it is a chronic condition. This means that you may need to work at overcoming your addiction for the rest of your life!
The sooner you get help, the sooner you can begin the process of healing. Drug addiction treatment can help you learn skills and tools to help you overcome your addiction and lead a healthier and happier life.