For many individuals, the first step toward recovery is acknowledging their personal struggle with substance dependence. The next step is finding a treatment program that can help restore their overall health, well-being and happiness.
There are countless treatment options a person can choose from. For example, some people with severe forms of addiction enter a detox program before transitioning into rehab. Others may choose to begin recovery at an inpatient or outpatient facility. After treatment, it is recommended to continue reinforcing the lessons learned in rehab by attending support groups and therapy sessions.
Remember: there is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” approach to addiction recovery. Whichever treatment path you choose, be sure that it has everything you need to help you achieve a successful recovery.
Recovering from an addiction isn’t easy. It will take a significant amount of willpower and self-discipline to achieve and maintain long-term sobriety. However, you’re never alone on this journey. During rehab, you’ll build strong relationships with others in recovery who can relate to what you’re going through. In addition, your family, friends and other loved ones have your best interests at heart during this time.
Your recovery from an addiction is dependent on how much you put into the process. Discover the ways addiction is treated below to better understand what lies ahead.
Treatment programs are different for each individual and can be customized based on their unique needs and situations. The most effective types of treatment programs ensure that individuals in recovery are actively involved every step of the way.
Inpatient rehabs offer structured treatment programs designed to address all facets of an individual’s addiction. During inpatient rehab, patients reside in a substance-free facility and receive around-the-clock medical care and therapeutic support.
Inpatient rehabs are a great option for individuals battling chronic addiction, as well as those who suffer from a co-occurring mental or behavioral disorder.
Outpatient rehabs are another form of comprehensive addiction care. These programs offer many of the same kinds of effective treatments and therapies as inpatient rehabs. However, outpatient rehabs allow patients to live at home during the recovery process. Patients can continue working and caring for their families while attending scheduled treatment sessions throughout the week.
It’s important to keep in mind that outpatient rehabs do not sequester patients from the real world; therefore, patients are at greater risk of encountering triggers that challenge their sobriety. Because of this, outpatient rehabs are best suited for individuals with mild forms of addiction and a committed, disciplined approach to recovery. Outpatient programs are also an excellent “step-down” program after inpatient treatment and are often combined with sober living homes.
Detoxification helps people safely withdraw from their from drugs or alcohol until it is no longer present in their system. It is often the first step in treating individuals recovering from moderate to severe forms of addiction.
In some cases, detoxing from certain drugs requires medication-assisted therapy to help ease the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Medications prescribed during detox are often tapered down until the patient is no longer physically dependent on addictive substances.
Sober living homes operate as a residential bridge between an inpatient treatment center and the return to normal life. These are a great Addiction Treatment options for people in recovery who need additional time to reinforce what was learned in rehab. Sober living homes help people in recovery strengthen their new healthy habits while still residing in the comfort of a structured environment.
During detox and throughout Addiction treatment, patients may be prescribed medications to help with the recovery process. These medications are used for various purposes, including managing withdrawal symptoms, reducing cravings or treating co-occurring disorders. Medications for addiction treatment have the most effective results when taken in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment program.
An intervention takes place between loved ones and a person suffering from an addiction, and is often supervised by an intervention specialist. The idea behind an intervention is to help loved ones express their feelings in a constructive way and encourage a person battling an addiction to enter a treatment program.
Some people prefer a more spiritual approach to their recovery. Faith-based rehab centers provide specialized programs and facilities that center around faith. Within this type of rehab program, people in recovery can surround themselves with like-minded individuals who are looking for guidance from a higher power to stay strong in the journey ahead.
Choosing to attend rehab for substance and/or alcohol abuse is an empowering step toward freedom. Rehab facilities provide the safest and most comfortable methods to achieve sobriety and the greatest likelihood of maintaining that sobriety once achieved. However, treatment is not a one-size-fits-all process. Every individual requires unique care based on a number of factors including what substances they are addicted to, how long they’ve been addicted, whether or not they have any co-occurring disorders, and personal preferences. Additionally, every facility has a unique treatment process that they use. Despite the many differences, there are a number of generalities that most treatment processes will follow.
Most patients at inpatient rehab facilities will take part in the following steps as they progress in their recovery.
Detoxification helps people safely withdraw their from drugs or alcohol until it is no longer present in their system. It is often the first step in treating individuals recovering from moderate to severe forms of addiction.
In some cases, detoxing from certain drugs requires medication-assisted therapy to help ease the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Medications prescribed during detox are often tapered down until the patient is no longer physically dependent on addictive substances.
Detoxification helps people safely withdraw from their from drugs or alcohol until it is no longer present in their system. It is often the first step in treating individuals recovering from moderate to severe forms of addiction.
In some cases, detoxing from certain drugs requires medication-assisted therapy to help ease the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Medications prescribed during detox are often tapered down until the patient is no longer physically dependent on addictive substances.
The patient actually enters the facility and completes administrative processes. It is at this point that staff makes sure that the patient is not bringing any forbidden items such as drugs or weapons into the facility. Intake is necessary to get each patient started off on the right foot so that their treatment is as effective as possible for their needs. It is also important to protect the safety and sobriety of all patients and staff.
Medical and clinical staff question the patient and determine’s their specific needs. Examples of what is assessed at this point include what substances the patient is addicted to, how long they’ve been addicted, and whether they suffer from any known mental health disorders. This is one of the most important steps of the treatment process, as it enables staff to customize a recovery plan that is designed to maximize each individual patient’s chances of success. Most treatment facilities treat assessment as an ongoing step, whereby patients are continually reassessed to make sure their needs are being met.
Detox, or detoxification, is the process by which the body is purged of harmful substances so that the patient can start treatment sober and with a “clean slate.” Medical staff guide the patient through withdrawal to make the process is as safe and comfortable as possible. In many cases, addiction treatment medication will be prescribed to help patients successfully complete detox. In some cases, other therapies will also be started while the patient is in detox. Medically-supervised detox is greatly recommended over self-detox, as it is safer, more comfortable, and much more likely to be successful.
During inpatient care, the patient resides in the facility and receives a number of treatments, therapies, and services that help them recover in both the short and long term. The exact treatments a patient will receive vary tremendously from facility to facility, but most are designed to help the patient learn about themselves, understand their addiction and triggers, and gain valuable life skills. The goal of inpatient care is to help each patient achieve sobriety and provide them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and habits, necessary to remain free from addiction once they leave the facility.
During IOP, Patients leave the inpatient facility, but live in a supportive group of fellow recovery seekers. Patients return to the facility several times a week at least for additional treatment. Some treatment facilities offer IOP programs, enabling patients to move directly from inpatient care to IOP, while other programs do not, meaning patients interested in IOP will have to find a separate program. IOP is advantageous because it allows patients to “test themselves” and the sobriety skills they have acquired in a real-life setting.
Patients acquire the skills and knowledge and make the preparations necessary to successfully maintain sobriety after treatment. This step of the treatment process is one of the most variable between patients, because each patient is returning to a very different life, or in many cases starting a new one entirely. Examples of preparations that patients must make include participating in support groups and ongoing treatment, returning to/finding a job, rebuilding relationships with friends and family, securing a place to live, and caring for children and pets.
During the release phase, patients complete administrative processes and leave the treatment facility. Many facilities provide final assessments at this time and provide additional advice and guidance to patients. Release makes sure that the patient is ready to begin their new life.
Aftercare is an ongoing process that for most patients will last the rest of their lives in some form or another. Patients in aftercare participate in ongoing treatment programs such as therapy and 12-step Groups to help maintain their sobriety indefinitely. The exact aftercare routine will depend on the patient and what options are available to them. The treatment facilities with the best results in helping patients maintain sobriety generally offer a wide range of aftercare options and they additionally help set patients up with third-party aftercare suppliers as well.
Empower yourself today and contact a treatment provider. With proper treatment and dedication, your entire life can dramatically change for the better. Don’t wait another minute.
