Drug Rehab

Do I Need Drug Rehab?

Dealing with addiction can be difficult, especially if you are concerned about substance use. But do you really need rehab? What does it mean to have an addiction?

When a substance interferes with your daily life and commitments, it may be time to seek outside help. Substance use causes your body to become dependent on that drug and for many drugs, withdrawals are uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous.

While addiction may not sound like the right fit for what you are experiencing, if you are struggling to quit using a substance or are concerned about your habits, it may be time to talk to someone about it.

If you ultimately decide it’s time to quit and seek treatment, many different types of facilities and levels of care are available.

Choosing the Right Rehab

When an addict decides to get help for their addiction, a healthcare professional will usually begin with a clinical assessment. A substance abuse assessment will examine several aspects of your individual situation, such as:

• Length of addiction
• Mental health needs (past and present)
• Physical health conditions
• Type of addiction
• Family and social needs
• Financial situation
• Current medications
• Previous treatment experiences

The substance abuse assessment will help your healthcare provider design a treatment plan for your recovery. Your custom treatment plan will include a rehab program that will suit your needs.

Drug Detox

Although there are many different types of rehab centers, most offer the same initial drug addiction treatment. When you arrive, you will need to get the rest of the drug out of your system while under medical supervision. This process is known as medical detox.

Medical detox is much safer than quitting abruptly on your own (aka “going cold turkey”) because some withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening without medical intervention.

“Supervised detoxification may prevent potentially life-­threatening complications that might appear if the patient were left untreated. At the same time, detoxification is a form of palliative care (reducing the intensity of a disorder) for those who want to become abstinent or who must observe mandatory abstinence as a result of hospitalization or legal involvement.”

—Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 

During medical detox, your physical health—such as vitals and organ function—will be closely monitored as your body eliminates the remaining drug(s) from your system. The length of the detox process can vary depending on the type of drug and how much of it you are using.

How Long Does Drug Detox Take?

A general idea of how long your detox process can last is as follows:

• Short-acting opioids (e.g, heroin): 4-10 days
• Long-acting opioids (e.g, methadone): 10-20 days
• Short-acting benzodiazepines (e.g. Xanax): 2-4 weeks or longer
• Long-acting benzodiazepines (e.g. Valium): 2-8 weeks or longer
• Stimulants: 3-5 days
• Alcohol: 2-10 days (the 36-48 hour mark is considered the most severe and dangerous)

Sometimes a medical detox will include MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment). The medication provided during MAT can assist you in getting sober by helping to eliminate cravings or by blocking certain receptors in the brain so that the previous drugs will not have any effect.

Types of Addiction Treatment Centers

Since there is a wide range of rehabilitation centers, people can find a recovery program best suited to their situation. For instance, a fully residential program might be ideal for someone struggling with long-term or severe addiction. In contrast, an outpatient program may be better for an individual with a less severe addiction.

Some centers specialize in different types of substance abuse treatment. For instance, you may look for an alcohol rehab center if you are struggling with alcohol addiction.

In addition, you may be a parent or guardian seeking a treatment center specializing in adolescent substance use disorder. These centers will be more tailored to a young person’s needs, as addiction in adolescents will present different concerns than addiction in a fully developed adult.

Inpatient Treatment Programs

There are two different inpatient programs where you can receive addiction treatment services.

The types of inpatient treatment centers include:

• Inpatient Treatment
• Residential Treatment

Inpatient Treatment Center

A standard inpatient treatment program will focus on helping you detox and provide medical care for any additional health issues caused by your drug use. This program typically takes place in a special wing of a hospital or at a separate medical facility.

An inpatient program is usually reserved for more serious cases of addiction where other health risks, such as co-occurring disorders or mental illness, are a concern. It may also be recommended for adolescents needing such rigid structure and special care in the early stages of their addiction recovery.

Inpatient rehab is less common these days due to many other program alternatives.

Residential Treatment Center

A more common form of inpatient care is what’s known as residential treatment.

Residential treatment is likely what most people think of when they hear the word “rehab.” This form of inpatient care can last anywhere from 30 days to about a year, and there are usually different phases throughout this kind of program.

During residential treatment, you will begin through medical detox (if needed) and may have limited contact with friends and family. As you progress through the residential program, you eventually begin to gain more freedoms, such as trips away or being able to return to work while still returning to the center at night.

Outpatient Treatment Programs

There are two major types of outpatient addiction treatment programs.

The outpatient treatment programs that are available are known as:

• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Partial Hospitalization Program

A Partial Hospitalization Program is also known as “day treatment.”

This type of rehab program may take place in a hospital or a separate clinic where the same level of care can be provided. For a PHP, you will visit the location for roughly 4-8 hours daily but will be allowed to return home at night.

A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) may be ideal for someone who has a supportive home environment, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The care you receive will be very similar to an inpatient program, but since you can leave each day, the program is considered outpatient.

Intensive Outpatient Program

Similarly, an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides support and treatment at a clinic, hospital, or other location. However, it only requires about 9-20 hours of commitment per week. This shorter time requirement means an Intensive Outpatient Program will be recommended for someone with a less severe substance abuse problem.

After completing inpatient treatment, IOP may also be recommended to help you maintain your sobriety.

Drug Rehab – Ongoing Treatment

While you are in rehab, you will receive ongoing treatment.

This treatment is designed to help you recover in the short term and provide you with tools for relapse prevention to enjoy long-term recovery.

A major focus of treatment during your time in a rehab program will be mental health. Many individuals with substance use disorders also struggle with additional mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Adolescents may also struggle with behavioral issues, ADHD, or other external stressors.

Focusing on mental wellness during rehab increases the chances of both your initial recovery and your ability to avoid addiction in the future.

Drug Rehab – Therapy Treatments

While mental health is still a major focus, different therapy approaches may be used during rehab. Therapy will be based on your needs, previous mental or behavioral health concerns, and the type of addiction you experienced.

The most common therapy types offered in rehab are:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Group therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of individual therapy that focuses on the patient’s patterns in thinking and behavior. This type of therapy is designed to dig into the person’s emotional state to help them create better, healthier patterns–such as facing fears or learning to calm oneself in times of stress.

CBT is especially effective as a treatment for addicts because it can help them develop skills that will encourage them to stay sober and avoid relapse. Often the therapist will provide “homework” to the patient to help them continue developing their coping skills and working through past issues.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a broader term for one-on-one counseling focused on talking through emotions, experiences, and issues. While CBT focuses on developing new habits and patterns, psychotherapy covers more ground and has different approaches.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is also very common in rehab. A group therapy session benefits the patient because they can see that they are not alone in their struggles. The group therapy environment can also provide a solid peer support system that can help encourage sobriety in the long term.

Drug Rehab – Medication Treatments

As mentioned above, medication-assisted treatment will sometimes accompany your individual treatment plan. These medications can be used first to help you wean off a stronger, more dangerous drug. Medication can also help you avoid cravings and stay sober throughout rehab.

Opioid treatment programs are a specific type of outpatient care that involves medication-assisted treatment. Because opioid addiction is currently considered an epidemic in the United States, these drug-specific treatment programs are prevalent.

In an opioid treatment program, you will visit a clinic to receive medication (such as methadone or Suboxone) to help you stay sober and avoid using any other illicit or prescription opiate. Depending on your situation, this program may be recommended both during and after rehab.

The Road to Recovery: What’s After Drug Rehab?

Post-rehab aftercare is usually referred to as recovery. During your recovery, you will continue to focus on maintaining your sobriety.

Recovery is a lifelong process, so there are various options for you to choose from that will help you stay sober after you have left rehab. Depending on where you are in your recovery journey, you may use more than one recovery program in your lifetime.

Recovery Programs Following Drug Rehab

Recovery programs vary in intensity and duration and are designed to help the addict remain sober.

The most common recovery programs include:

• Halfway houses
• Sober living
• 12-step programs
• Self-help groups

Halfway Houses

A halfway house is a program designed to provide intermediate living between leaving the prison system (for drug-related crimes) or a rehab center and reentering society. As the name suggests, the idea of a halfway house is to help you transition back to living independently while still having some of the structure of prison or rehab.

After serving a prison sentence, living at a halfway house is often a requirement. While residents of halfway houses aren’t only former inmates, this is often the case.

Sober Living Facilities

Sober living is similar to a halfway house, and the two are often confused with one another. Sober living is also a place for recovering addicts as they transition from rehab to independent living. However, a sober living facility often provides more privacy and amenities than a halfway house.

12-Step Programs & Self-Help Groups

Additionally, 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provide a support system for fellow recovering addicts. The popularity of AA and NA also means that there are meetings in just about every city at all different times of the day. Using a meeting finder tool, you can find a meeting or support group near you.

There are also apps available for your smartphone to help you in your recovery journey.

How Do I Get Started?

The first step would be to get a substance abuse assessment from your doctor or another healthcare provider. They will provide you with a treatment plan based on your current situation, including recommendations for which type of rehab is best for your level of addiction.

You may also want to get in touch with your insurance provider (or Medicaid) to learn what coverage you have available for addiction recovery.