Determining where to go for help when you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction can be difficult. Different treatments have certain benefits it can be tough determining which one is best.
Addiction treatment programs subscribe to the concept of treatment in stages, whereby a person starts with an intensive program and gradually steps down to one that allows for more personal freedom and responsibility for the outcome.
In this article, we will be talking about the first stage of treatment, inpatient rehab for drug addiction. This level of care provides individuals with severe substance use disorder the structure needed to establish sobriety. But how does it do this? Let’s dive into it.
What is Inpatient Rehab?
The term “inpatient” simply means that the patient stays in a medical facility for the duration of their care. For those in an inpatient rehabilitation program providing addiction treatment, this will be at a hospital or recovery clinic. To finish the program, individuals must live in the facility.
While patients are in treatment, they are given 24/7 medical support, access to detox services, mental health resources, and dietary support.
How Long Is an Inpatient Treatment Stay?
The length of inpatient programs can vary somewhat, but most last between 1 to 3 months. This flexibility allows for some individuals to progress through treatment quickly as they step down into a residential or outpatient program while allowing others to stay longer and benefit from the continued intensity of inpatient care.
What are the Strengths and Weaknesses of Inpatient Treatment?
Strengths
- You receive addiction treatment in a 24/7 medically supervised environment
- Inpatient programs prevent drug abuse from occurring within their facilities
- You are free from the distractions and emotional triggers of daily life
- Everything from your daily routine to your treatment plan is highly structured
- You join a community of residents also getting treatment for drug addiction
- Inpatient programs boast a higher success rate than outpatient treatment programs
Weaknesses
- Treatment is often costly
- It is less flexible than other forms of treatment (You can’t return home until after you finish treatment, and programs have an end date)
- You are isolated from friends and family (except for scheduled visits)
- You will have to square away work and family commitments before entering treatment
Who Benefits from Inpatient Treatment?
Individuals who are suffering from more severe cases of substance abuse disorder (SUD), as well as those who live in high-risk environments especially benefit from the intensity and structure of an inpatient program.
Another group that benefits from inpatient care is those with additional mental health disorders or comorbidities. Comorbid or co-occurring disorders are defined by the US Department of Health and Human Services as an interaction between two disorders occurring at the same time or in succession which both affect the progress and outcome of the disorder.1
People with a comorbid disorder have a more advanced relationship with substance abuse. This also means that they are more at risk of relapsing without the help of an inpatient program or a highly structured treatment plan.
If you think you may be self-medicating or have developed a mental health disorder as a result of drug abuse, it is important that you consult addiction centers near you and ask about what services they offer to individuals with addiction comorbidities.
Who Qualifies for Inpatient Care?
There are no strict qualifications for inpatient care per se, but the cost of inpatient addiction treatment can be expensive.
Before signing on to a treatment regimen, it’s important to determine whether this level of treatment is right for you. You can do this either by speaking with an addiction facility near you or by seeing an addiction specialist.
Certain types of insurance, like HMOs, for example, may require a referral by your primary care provider (PCP) before agreeing to cover inpatient care expenses.
Types of Inpatient Services
- Patient evaluation and treatment planning
- 24/7 Medical supervision and psychological support
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Nutritional support
- Extended support for those struggling with co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, among others
- Access to a variety of evidence-based treatments (cognitive behavior therapy, family and group therapy, 12-step program, and more)
- Recreational therapies (Yoga, meditation, arts, crafts, and exercise)
- Workshops and education to help you manage triggers, control urges, and prevent relapse.
- Extended support for those struggling with co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, among others
- Access to a variety of evidence-based treatments (cognitive behavior therapy, family and group therapy, 12-step program, and more)
- Recreational therapies (Yoga, meditation, arts, crafts, and exercise)
- Workshops and education to help you manage triggers, control urges, and prevent relapse.
Success Rate of Inpatient Treatment
Ideally, the goal of addiction treatment is to permanently stop all substance abuse. But because recovery is an ongoing journey that involves learning how to manage and understand cravings, relapses can still occur.
When this happens, it is important not to regard it as a failure. Instead, it is best to focus on what can be changed to prevent relapse from occurring again. Solutions to preventing relapse can include:
- Stepping back up to a more intensive level of treatment
- Adjusting your treatment plan
- Resuming treatment if you are no longer attending.
Studies on addiction treatment success can be hard to come by. Additionally, most of the studies that are available include data that can’t be empirically confirmed, such as conducting phone interviews and asking former patients whether they have maintained sobriety after treatment.
How do I Find a Program That is Right for Me?
If you are looking for an addiction treatment program near me, it is important that you choose one that will help foster a positive outcome. Here are a few things that every good inpatient treatment program should offer.
- Flexible payment options
- Will work with your insurance
- Well-trained and experienced medical and mental health staff
- Provides support for your specific treatment needs
- Proves a variety of evidence-based treatment options
- Friendly, responsive, and encouraging staff
- Well-rated among former patients
- Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehab Facilities (CARF), the Joint Commission as well as state accreditations.
Treatment success in part depends on the willingness of the individual to use the program as a vehicle for self-improvement. Because of this, it is imperative that your treatment provides you with the tools and emotional support necessary to succeed.
If you or a loved one is seeking information on addiction or mental health resources please call (888) 564-4780.