Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers help you address your addiction. Learn more about different types of drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment.
Drug and alcohol addiction is a serious problem in the United States. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimates there are 25 million American struggling with a substance addiction. Each year, millions of patients are admitted to the hospital because of their addiction. Overcoming an addiction is difficult, and almost impossible without help.
One of the most effective ways to treat drug and alcohol addictions is attending a rehabilitation clinic. Rehabilitation clinics use therapy to treat addiction. There are two primary types of care, inpatient and outpatient. With inpatient care, you live in the rehabilitation center for the duration of your stay. If you attend an outpatient program, you still work and spend the evenings at home while attending therapy sessions to treat your addiction. Both inpatient and outpatient treatment typically lasts between 30 and 90 days, but patients often continue receiving treatment after their original stay.
Signs of Addiction
For many patients, the biggest obstacle in getting help is recognizing when they are addicted. The most obvious sign you suffer from an addiction is an overreliance on drugs or alcohol. If you consistently need drugs or alcohol to deal with stress or be happy, you have an addiction. Another sign of addiction is when you are overly focused on when you’ll next be able to get access to drugs or alcohol. Looking at your finances is also a way to spot addiction, with many patients falling deep in debt to support their addiction.
There are also physical signs as well. With many addictions, your body grows dependent on drugs or alcohol. Without these substances, you feel depressed or sick. Some drugs cause even more severe withdrawal symptoms, such as fevers or even seizures. Fatigue and significant changes in your sleep schedule are also signs of addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides additional signs of addiction for children and teenagers.
Rehabilitation Treatment
There are many similarities between inpatient and outpatient treatment. The same techniques are used, but inpatient treatment is more intensive because you spend the duration of your treatment in the rehabilitation clinic. The clinics are designed with comfort in mind, allowing you to relax and feel comfortable while addressing your addiction.
The first part of your treatment begins immediately with the check in. As part of the check in, you meet with a clinic counselor. The counselor interviews you to learn more about what caused your addiction, including possible triggers. During this process, the counselor works with you to make a custom treatment plan, guiding you through all of the steps to ensure you are comfortable with the plan. Part of the planning involves setting a duration for your stay. The NIDA recommends a full 90 days, but your counselor may recommend a shorter stay, based on your personal situation.
The next part of treatment involves a detox program. Detoxification removes any drugs or alcohol still in your system. The process typically takes between three to 14 days, based on what substance you were addicted to. Some drugs, such as morphine, alcohol or heroin, take longer to clear. You may be given medication to help cleanse your body as part of the detox process.
Attending Therapy
Once the detox ends, the next part of your treatment is attending therapy. Rehabilitation clinics use multiple types of therapy. The first is individual therapy, which is included in all treatment plans. During these sessions, you meet one-on-one with a counselor. Your counselor helps you figure out what caused your addiction. He or she also identifies situations where you are more likely to use a harmful substance. By identifying these situations, you can develop a plan to avoid these instances and come up with a safer coping mechanism.
In addition to individual therapy, there are also options for group therapy. There are two types of group therapy. One is with other patients in the clinic. The second is family counseling, where your family members join the therapy session to discuss your addiction. Both therapies are focused around helping you realize how damaging your addiction is, while giving you a safe space to share how and why you became addicted in the first place.
At the end of your treatment, your counselor will recommend additional therapy, known as aftercare. There are many types of aftercare. In some cases, you may continue to see a therapist or join an addiction group. Other times, your counselor may suggest staying in transitional housing to continue your treatment, such as moving into a sober living home.
Rehabilitation Center Costs
Rehabilitation is a costly process, with many patients relying on their insurance to help with the payments. Inpatient care is the most expensive, costing on average between $15,000 and $20,000 for every 30 days. Outpatient care is between $5,000 and $10,000, with prices largely varying based on location.
If you are unable to afford rehab costs or do not have insurance, there are several options available. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides free rehabilitation treatment throughout the United States. Public mental health services and substance abuse centers also work with states to provide rehabilitation treatment for lower income individuals.