There are various choices when looking for substance abuse addiction treatment. Making a decision depends on the individual's needs and the treatment structure of an accredited drug and alcohol rehab facility. With a variety of addiction treatment options, every person's recovery journey looks slightly different. However, there are evidence-based practices within a continuum of care used by drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers across the country.
Typically, if a person has a substance abuse disorder, recovery begins at the drug or alcohol detox stage. It is during this stage that a person stops using drugs or alcohol while being medically monitored. Since detox carries some physical and mental health risks, it is vital to seek professional help.
Following medical detox, there are many treatment options, including inpatient rehab in a residential treatment program, outpatient rehab, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and sober living homes.
The intensity of these treatment program options ranges significantly, from outpatient counseling to intensive inpatient therapy. The desire to stop using drugs or alcohol is essential to seek help and continue on a lifelong recovery path.
Treatment Process
Most recovery centers combine traditional psychotherapy approaches with holistic treatments such as art therapy, yoga, meditation, and massage. The treatment may also change depending on whether an individual is in an in- or outpatient program.
The first step in any treatment process is reaching out to a rehab facility, therapist, or hospital for recovery treatment. Whether starting with inpatient detox or outpatient detox, the following is the most common course of action:
Admissions: An admissions representative will speak to a person and gather relevant information about a person's drug and alcohol history and current situation. They will provide information about a facility to see if it is a good match for the person's needs. If the facility seems like the right fit, it's usually necessary to provide insurance information to be treated. If one doesn't have insurance, most facilities can discuss private (self) pay options, and some may even have a limited number of scholarships available to cover treatment costs. Some facilities may have a waiting list, and others may be able to take a person right away.
Intake: Immediately after arriving at the recovery facility, each person undergoes a comprehensive health assessment. Addiction professionals will discuss a person's substance abuse history, relevant mental and physical health conditions, and family life. Then, you will be provided with the facility's policies and rules. Each treatment center is different; thus, there is no universal set of rules for clients across all treatment programs.
Treatment Length: the length of treatment varies greatly depending upon the substance used, the length of time using, and the presence of co-occurring disorders.
The three main goals of the substance abuse treatment process include:
Addressing the control addiction has over the individual
Addressing destructive attitudes and harmful behaviors that come with substance abuse
Deciding to abstain and develop a comprehensive treatment plan
Addiction is a disease and, like any disease, requires a treatment program that is developed for each person. Far too many people attempt to cure themselves of addiction or alcoholism, and most have been unsuccessful. This almost always ends in relapse. Research has demonstrated the benefit of a holistic treatment approach for a person to gain the start they need for recovering from the disease of addiction.
Drug and Alcohol Detox
It’s important to know what to expect in an alcohol and drug detox plan. Detox occurs in a supervised environment in a residential facility. As a person stops using drugs and alcohol, they will receive 24-hour clinical care while attending therapy, mainly on a one-on-one basis, with a therapist. The primary focus is monitoring an individual’s physical and mental health as their body adjusts to the absence of drugs.
Within this structured environment, medical professionals and therapists oversee a person’s detox. This detox process includes stages of physical and mental symptoms that result from suddenly ceasing to use drugs. Massage, acupuncture, and medication may be included while detoxing as part of an individualized care plan. Detox alone is not enough. To avoid relapse and address the underlying causes of addiction, a person should consider an effective addiction recovery treatment program.
Medications Used in Rehab
Unpleasant and sometimes life-threatening side effects can happen while detoxing from benzodiazepines, alcohol, nicotine, opioids, barbiturates, and other sedatives. The type of medication prescribed in detox depends on the substances used and the level of addiction.
Common medications used in detox and recovery include:
Benzodiazepines
Opioid antagonists
Partial antagonists
Antidepressants
Opioid agonists
Non-opioid agonists
Partial agonists
Residential Addiction Treatment
Inpatient drug treatment marks an essential step on the road to recovery. Whether someone struggles with addiction and alcoholism or have a co-occurring mental health disorder, the expertise and supervision of a residential recovery program may be the best option. Residential treatment removes home pressures and provides a separation from friends who still use; a residential drug treatment program allows the individual in treatment to focus solely on their recovery, with few distractions.
Inpatient drug and alcohol treatment provides 24-hour care clinical care at the facility. Medically assisted recovery and individual and group therapy are a start to learning tools that can help avoid relapse. Therapy provides an opportunity to examine underlying causes of addiction or alcoholism and is a way to develop skills to react to negative feelings and emotions.
Participating in group therapy allows a person to share their experiences and learn from the experiences of others. Some group meetings incorporate 12-step principles that are a proven means to achieve and maintain sobriety.
Residential treatment programs vary in length from 30 to 90 days or longer. The length of time in treatment depends on an individual’s progress and readiness to transition to after-care.
Partial Hospitalization Drug Rehab Program
Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) are short-term, intensive treatment programs. Some people are referred to partial hospitalization programs, which typically allow for a person to live at home or a halfway house during PHP treatment. People will attend structured treatment programs during the day, up to five times a week. There are rules in place, such as random drug and alcohol testing or required participation in outside support groups that can ensure success in the program.
Most programs are built around group therapy sessions, individual therapy, and relapse prevention groups. The staff of addiction professionals in a PHP program can include social workers, mental health professionals, nurses, and psychiatrists. These programs aim to teach the skills individuals need to manage their lives and substance use disorders without relapsing.
Intensive Outpatient Program
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is another approach to treating alcohol and drug abuse disorders. An IOP may involve up to 9 hours of treatment over 3 to 5 days each week. This varies on a case by case basis. Group and individual therapy sessions last from one to two hours. This treatment option is very effective for eating disorders, process addictions, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders that do not require detox or around-the-clock supervision.
Where to Find Addiction Treatment Programs
There are a lot of options when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction treatment. However, seeking quality drug and alcohol addiction treatment means researching and finding the right fit. At Cardinal Recovery, we pride ourselves on offering premier drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Our addiction specialists are dedicated to providing unmatched quality care.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse issues, you are not alone. We are here for you, and we are here to help.