This article is to help those fighting substance abuse understand what addiction treatment entails and how to find the best drug and alcohol abuse treatment program to fit your needs.
Drug rehab, also known as substance abuse treatment, is a process in which individuals receive counseling and therapy to overcome addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
Substance abuse treatment facilities are also know and referred to as drug rehab, drug addiction rehab, addiction treatment programs and the short version just “rehab”.
Those who do not have a drug abuse problem think of rehab as a place to recover from surgery, and the truth is both are rehabs and they have one goal – have someone feel safe and recover. In regards to a drug rehab specifically, helping an individual achieve and maintain ongoing recovery and sobriety is important.
Types of Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs
Many substance abuse treatment centers have treatment programs that serve a population. For example, adolescent treatment programs or gender specific treatment programs will cater to those populations. Based on what someone is looking for, starting with the right population is a good beginning.
Levels of Care Offered for Substance Abuse
There are 4 different levels of care when seeking drug rehab programs:
Inpatient Treatment Program
Inpatient programs provide 24/7 care and supervision. This level of care often includes medical detox. Opioid addiction for example can cause withdrawal symptoms. This type of inpatient treatment program will have medical staff and can occur in a hospital setting or a rehab facility licensed by their state to provide medical detox.
An inpatient treatment center can treat alcohol abuse and drug abuse after detoxification. Many insurance programs call this type of inpatient treatment program “residential care.”
During this level of care a person has completed detox and their road to addiction recovery begins. Being admitted to addiction treatment the clinical staff compliments the medical staff with a complete evaluation. The medical evaluation occurs during detox and throughout one’s stay.
A clinical evaluation happens upon admission but also as a person starts to clear from their substance abuse fog. A mental health disorder often accompanies a substance use disorder. Offering mental health services at an addiction treatment center is called “dual diagnosis” or “co-occurring disorders”.
If you are seeking treatment and looking at treatment options knowing you have symptoms of depression, or have previously been diagnosed with a mental illness, it is important to find a treatment program that offers mental health services when treating addiction.
Partial Hospitalization –
In essence, partial hospitalization is outpatient treatment. Partial Hospitalization also known as “PHP”or “Day Treatment” is where treatment happens for 5 – 8 hours a day. “PHP” stands for partial hospitalization program. This term is used at actual hospital outpatient programs or at residential drug abuse and alcohol treatment centers is a patient stays for treatment during the day is not housed overnight.
Intensive Outpatient treatment –
Intensive outpatient treatment means a person attends the drug rehabilitation center up to 5 times a week for up to three hour groups. Drug abuse counselors work with individuals with substance use disorders and develop treatment plans that include a step down phase based on their ongoing recovery process.
Outpatient Treatment program –
Outpatient drug treatment can be scheduled based on a persons schedule. Many times a variety of therapies, such as individual and group counseling, behavioral therapy, alumni and aftercare support groups are part of attending outpatient rehab.
Is Drug Rehab the Same as Alcohol Rehab?
The answer is no. When dealing with drug addiction or alcohol addiction the main difference is stopping the addictive behaviors and addressing any detoxification needs. The medical protocols are different for substance abuse based on the actual amount of drug use.
However, a drug rehab and alcohol rehab facility are similar in that they both offer addiction treatment hoping those who seek treatment options find addiction recovery.
Addiction treatment will help those with a substance use disorder covering illegal drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamines and abused prescription drugs. Drug and alcohol rehab centers will treat both drug and alcohol addiction.
Does a Drug Rehab Include Drug Detox?
A drug rehab often includes drug and alcohol detox. Not all drug addiction treatment centers are licensed the same way.
Based on a person’s withdrawal symptoms and the specific drug addiction, a medical facility or at least an addiction treatment center with medical oversight will be needed.
Many substance use disorders require a detox process as the initial step in the continuum of the recovery process. Withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous so most drug rehab centers that offer detox will have a medical staff to monitor patients.
Some drug treatment facilities may require patients to complete the detox process at a separate facility before they can begin their inpatient or residential drug or alcohol rehab.
Medication-Assisted Treatment known as “MAT”
Both inpatient and outpatient drug rehabilitation center’s offer Medication-Assisted Treatment known as “MAT”. For a successful recovery experience the approach used is The “whole-patient” approach.
Medications for Substance Use Disorders
Medications used to help manage withdrawal symptoms and also post acute withdrawal symptoms and cravings have proven to be effective and successful.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration “SAMHSA”-
The use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Medications used are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are clinically driven and tailored to meet each patient’s needs.
Most doctors who utilize MAT in an inpatient rehab, drug outpatient services, or in private practice recommend group therapy and support groups to address substance addiction and mental health issues.
Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are available in most local communities bringing together like minded people who want a substance free life.
Treatment Options for Drug Abuse and Alcohol Addiction
In choosing a rehab program a good place to start is deciding if local treatment centers are preferred or finding treatment providers in another city or state will make it the treatment process easier.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse “NIDA”
Nearly 92,000 persons in the U.S. died from drug-involved overdose in 2020, including illicit drugs and prescription opioids.
Addiction affects people differently and sometimes that means finding substance abuse treatment away from home.
Substance Use Treatment
Drug use often is discovered by family members. Family therapy sessions can be helpful in addressing the drug use, however, treatment success usually happens by involvement in drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs.
Choosing the right rehab program the first time is ideal. From adolescents to older adults substance use is a problem. Treating addictive substances is rehab programs is an option as well as trying to find recovery in support groups as we discuss above.
There are hundreds of treatment options and addiction treatment facilities within the united states.
Here are three steps to begin your journey:
- If you have insurance, look on the website of your insurance company to see what in-network facilities they recommend. Most insurance companies have pre-negotiated rates for their members for all levels of care including substance abuse and addiction treatment programs.
- Dealing with a substance abuse or mental health disorder is no longer the taboo it once was. Friends and family usually have some knowledge of a person with ongoing recovery that could have experience. Ask those you trust for a referral.
- Your mental health is important. Most alcohol and drug addiction rehab facilities have admission staff that you can call and really talk to. You can find out if they are a fit and even request an in person tour. Most addiction treatment centers have website to explain who they are and how they approach treatment. Ask questions before you make a decision.
