Inpatient Drug Rehab

What is Inpatient Drug Rehab?

Inpatient drug rehab is a residential recovery program where an addict will check in and reside at a facility for a predetermined about of time. On average, your length of stay will be roughly 30 days, but there are also programs that offer 60, 90, or more days of residence.

An inpatient drug rehab program is typically part of a treatment plan for someone who is dealing with a more serious addiction, is considered high-risk, or has a previous history of substance use disorder where lesser programs were not effective.

Inpatient treatment centers are designed to provide a high level of structure and support for the addict during their first days and weeks of recovery. Many times, the addict may enter the rehab facility with drugs still in their system and will need special help during these early days. Additional care, such as medical detox, can also be available at the residential rehab program.

In addition to medical care, the facility will provide different types of therapy—from group sessions to one-on-one counseling and even family therapy. This focus on mental health is intended to help recovering addicts create better habits and behaviors that will allow them to be successful in their long-term addiction recovery.

What Happens in an Inpatient Rehab?

Day One

When you first arrive at the facility, you will first go through the intake process. During intake, the patient will often review and sign a consent for treatment form before being admitted to the facility.

After you are checked in, you will often be allowed to contact family or loved ones to let them know you’ve arrived safely and are going to be receiving treatment. After that, patients often have a one-week “blackout phase,” where they will not have any contact with the outside world—including family and friends.

Week One

Week one’s blackout phase is designed to encourage patients’ sobriety in the early days of their treatment by eliminating any outside influences or temptations. Many times, the patient will be able to resume contact with loved ones after the first week.

Many patients also experience detoxification during the first week, as their body begins to eliminate the remaining drugs from their system. While withdrawal symptoms may occur, facility staff will monitor your vitals and ensure your symptoms are as mild as possible through medical detox. Sometimes, medication will be prescribed to help the patient taper off the drugs they had been taking.

Overall Experience

Inpatient rehab is highly structured. While the specifics will vary between treatment facilities and treatment programs, you can expect your facility to maintain its own daily schedule.

A general overview of the daily schedule might look like this:

• Wake up
• Eat breakfast
• One-on-one counseling
• Personal time
• Lunch
• Alternative therapy, activities, fitness
• Group therapy
• Dinner
• Activities or personal time
• Group discussion
• Bedtime/lights out

Each rehab facility will have its own unique amenities, from the type of food served to activities available for patients during downtime. When researching, you may want to consider the types of amenities that are offered to help you choose the best option for you.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment

Addiction treatment can be provided through both inpatient and outpatient programs. However, there are very distinct differences between the two, namely in the level of care provided.

The treatment option that is best for you can be determined by speaking with your doctor or another healthcare professional to assess your drug abuse and other health factors.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient treatment programs provide a more structured environment in a residential setting. Inpatient programs require the addict to check in (hence the name “inpatient”) to a treatment facility to receive ongoing treatment and support.

There are some variations between inpatient program types. All inpatient facilities will provide medical care, but some centers will focus more on physical healthcare because of how drug abuse has impacted the patient’s body. Other treatment programs will provide more of a residential experience alongside therapy and medical treatment.

• Residential or live-in situation
• Approximately 30 to 90-day commitment
• Medical care provided (including detox)
• Therapies provided
• Highly structured
• Ideal for more serious addictions or those with previous addiction history

Outpatient Rehab

As mentioned earlier, an inpatient program is usually reserved for addicts with a severe addiction or previous history of substance abuse. Inpatient rehab provides the highest level of structure and support, which can be crucial for those with more serious cases of addiction.

Alternatively, outpatient rehab programs such as Partial Hospitalization or Intensive Outpatient still provide beneficial recovery care but at a much less intense level. Outpatient drug rehab may also be offered after patients complete inpatient care to help them transition to regular daily life.

• An offsite treatment center that the patient visits regularly
• Roughly 10-30 hours weekly commitment
• Medical care provided (including detox)
• Therapies provided
• Less structure; varying levels of intensity
• Ideal for less severe addiction
• Also great for patients who have completed an inpatient program

Inpatient Rehab Duration and Length of Stay

The length of stay for an inpatient treatment program will depend on a few factors. On average, a short-term program will last 28-30 days, while a long-term program (also known as a sober living facility) will usually start at 90 days but can extend longer.

All inpatient programs offer the medical detox program, which can take roughly 1-2 weeks. After detox, the inpatient program will focus on different therapies as well as helping the patient to establish better, healthier habits during their stay.

In many cases, a long-term program (90+ days) is often recommended over a short-term stay. There are several reasons for the preference for long-term inpatient rehab.

Those benefits include:

• Longer time to build and solidify healthy habits
• More time can be spent on overall recovery; treatment isn’t consumed by detox
• The brain gets more time to heal
• Extended time in regular therapy can provide essential tools and skills
• Amends can be made with family and friends
• Support can be provided if the patient experiences sudden cravings during their stay

However, long-term drug rehab is not always feasible for the addict. Any level of care is better than no care, and your decision to seek a healthier, drug-free life will help you no matter what inpatient program you choose.

Is Inpatient Rehab the Best Option?

While coming up with an overall substance abuse treatment plan, you may wonder if inpatient drug rehab is right for you or your loved one. Here are some questions you should ask yourself (or for your loved one to address).

Consider the following when deciding whether an inpatient drug rehab program is right for you:

• What are your initial needs? Things like insurance (and cost), time away from work, childcare or family commitments, and even travel can play a role in this decision. Inpatient treatment is a 24/7 commitment for roughly 30 to 90 days, depending on the type of facility you choose. Make sure you have fully considered all aspects of your life and how they will be impacted by your time away.
• Are you ready to make a life change? Your level of commitment to the program you choose will also greatly impact your success. There is more to this type of rehab than supervised medical detox. Are you willing to put in the work?
• Have you reached out for professional medical advice? A substance abuse treatment assessment provided by a physician or other healthcare provider can make a huge difference in helping you determine the level of care that would be best for you.

Ultimately, an addict’s goal should be their long-term recovery. If you feel that the structure, time commitment, and overall setup of inpatient rehab would help you or your loved one, then it sounds like you’ve already made your decision. Congratulations!

How to Choose an Inpatient Drug Rehab Clinic

Once you’ve decided that an inpatient drug rehab program is the best choice for your recovery plan, the next step is choosing a rehab facility.

Here are some things to consider when picking the right inpatient facility for yourself or your loved one:

Location of Rehab and Distance

There are two important things to consider when it comes to location. First, how far away is the facility? Do you have a reliable way to get there? For you, a facility that is closer to home and easier to get to might be more convenient.

Alternatively, it may be necessary to travel further away to remove yourself from the temptation of being near people you previously associated with drugs. You may consider choosing something that is NOT in familiar territory to better set yourself or your loved one up for success.

Cost of Rehab

Cost is another important factor when choosing the right treatment center. More expensive doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality. Different facilities will have different offerings and amenities, so there’s no need to pay extra for something that won’t serve you or your needs.

Additionally, some or all of your stay may be covered by your insurance program or Medicaid. Check with your individual provider to see if they have specific options in your network.

Ratings from Previous Clients

Checking the reviews and ratings of a facility can help you gauge what other people have experienced. You don’t necessarily have to make your choice just based on a center’s ratings, but it can be a valuable guide in assessing how previous residents have (or haven’t) succeeded through a particular treatment program.

Amenities and Additional Offerings

Besides medical care, detox, and therapy, inpatient treatment centers offer a variety of different amenities and special offerings. Some may provide family education and family therapy, while others may provide additional health support such as nutrition coaching and fitness.

If you have specific struggles or issues (such as significant fallout with family), you might want to select an inpatient center that can provide extra care and support.

Type of Addiction

Another thing to consider when choosing the right inpatient rehab facility is the type of addiction you are dealing with. Many facilities are available that specialize in the substance abuse they treat, such as centers with a focus on opioids.

Outside of drug addiction rehabs, there are also alcohol rehab facilities specifically designed to help those struggling with alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction.

Severity of Addiction

The severity of your addiction may also come into play when determining the right treatment center for your needs. A more severe addiction may require more structure or a longer stay, whereas a less intense addiction may work better in a short-term inpatient setting.

Different clinics will treat different issues, so you need to find one that fits the individual in need of treatment. In addition to choosing a facility that suits your needs for addiction type and severity, you may also need to consider your overall health and medical history.

These considerations might include:

• Co-occurring disorders
• Dual-diagnosis treatment
• Mental health disorders
• Physical health accommodation requirements

Substance use disorder, in many cases, can be tied to previous mental health conditions, other drug use, or additional health problems—and all of these factors need to be considered when choosing an inpatient rehab. You may look for an inpatient rehab center that provides care for someone with your individual concerns and health needs.

Inpatient Rehab Therapy Options

Not all clinics offer the same set of treatment and therapy options, so if you have a preference for one approach or another, make sure you check to see if that facility offers it.

The types of therapies offered can include

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This type of one-on-one therapy aims to teach the patient new behavioral patterns. You and your therapist will work on identifying negative thinking so that you can shift your mindset to allow you to make better future choices.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy focuses on high-risk patients to help them both accept their condition and change their behavior. DBT may also give the patient homework after each session to put their new knowledge into practice.
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET): Motivational enhancement therapy centers around a patient’s motivation to change. This therapy aims to empower the patient to change old habits and begin their journey of growth.
• Group therapy: Offered at most inpatient facilities, group therapy provides patients with a support group where people will share and receive guidance from a counselor. This type of therapy helps patients to feel less isolated in their own experience, and feel supported by a small group of peers who can relate to each other.
• 12-Step Programs: 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), provide a peer environment where personal sharing takes place. In addition, these programs have 12 actionable steps for the recovering addict to perform with the goal of maintaining their sobriety and feeling empowered to make better choices with each new day.
• Family therapy: Family therapy is sometimes provided at certain rehab facilities. This may be especially helpful for adolescents or young adults who are receiving treatment at an inpatient treatment center. The family dynamic can play an enormous role in an addict’s well-being, and sometimes working through family issues can contribute to the addict’s healing and overall success.

Find an Inpatient Drug Rehab Near Me

Does it sound like an inpatient drug rehab program is right for you or a loved one? Take a look at the SAMHSA program locator to discover what facilities are located near you.