Addiction is complex, with many causes, and each person is affected differently. When it comes to rehab for drug and alcohol use disorders, each case is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach rarely does work for one and all.
Consideration of a person’s particular needs — those include medical, psychological, social, and legal ones — should be factored into a treatment program. So should a person’s age, gender, culture, and ethnicity.
Being in treatment for the right amount of time is important too. The length of stay depends on the patient, including how severe their addiction is.
An individual with a more deep-rooted dependence on drugs or alcohol tends to fare better with a longer treatment time, and often within an inpatient setting that offers 24-hour medical care. That gives one more time to detox, address pressing and lingering medical and mental issues, and immerse themselves in various psychotherapies to prepare for long-term sobriety.
114
People Die
per day because of drugs
6,748
ER Visits
per day because of drugs
90%
of Drug Users
do not receive the treatment
What Is Inpatient Rehab?
Inpatient rehab, also referred to as long-term or residential treatment, provides a patient with around-the-clock care. Patients may stay a few weeks, or a few months (30, 60, 90 days, or longer). The length of stay is usually determined by several factors, including:
- The severity of the addiction
- Whether there is a co-occurring mental health disorder
- Whether a patient has previously relapsed
Once a person checks in and the staff takes their history, the patient will receive medical care and emotional support to help them overcome their addiction or substance use disorder.
Then, they’ll take steps toward recovery:
Detoxification
During this process, the patient begins to get clean of drugs or alcohol. Depending on the substance they’re dependent on, withdrawal can be both dangerous (fatal, even) and uncomfortable. That’s why medical supervision is advised. Medically managed withdrawal can make the process safer, more comfortable. This process can last a few days or linger for weeks, depending on the substance or circumstances. The patient typically doesn’t address the underlying factors of addiction at this time.
Treatment
Once the patient is stabilized and sober, it’s time to work on the causes of addiction and develop tactics for remaining abstinent. This can involve psychotherapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), where negative patterns are reframed. This can help the patient change how they feel and react to troubling moods and stimuli. Other therapies and counseling, including group, peer support, and family, may be incorporated to further work through underlying causes.
Aftercare
This usually is linked to the treatment portion, because the patient, while they undergo treatment, will also be working on building better coping mechanisms. Rehab provides the tools to prevent relapse. The center will also prepare the patient for life post rehab, by scheduling regular check-ins, suggesting therapists or counselors closer to the patient’s home, and encouraging patients to continue with peer support groups once they check out.
Every facility has unique options too. Some offer luxurious experiences with private rooms. Holistic or alternative therapies and other healing exercises may also be part of their offerings. That can include yoga, mindfulness meditation, art therapy, and more.
Where a center is located can also influence the feel of a place. One patient may prefer an oceanside setting, whereas another may be drawn to mountainside recovery.
Benefits of Inpatient Rehab
A person may hesitate at the thought of committing to stay at a rehab facility for a month or longer, shuttered away from their day-to-day life. There are many benefits to staying at an inpatient rehab center, however. They include:
- Custom treatment. This can include counseling, therapy, peer support, specific coursework (to handle triggers, etc.), treatment for co-occurring disorders, and some relaxing and chemical-free activities to facilitate healing.
- No distractions. This allows the patient to focus on recovery without the outside world pulling their attention away.
- Structure. This can help a patient develop healthier habits moving forward.
- Privacy. Privacy and space allow the patient to rest and recover. Limited outside distractions can let patients recover in peace, particularly during more harrowing times when it’s beneficial to focus on themselves and not consider others.
- Medical oversight. Detox can be uncomfortable, so having professionals on hand to help the process go safely and comfortably can reduce chances of relapse.
- No outside triggers. Sometimes outside tensions or influences can lead to use or other excesses. Being in a so-called neutral space lets a person focus on getting sober without outside temptations, allowing a person time to give themselves over to recovery.
