Addicts may make the decision to address their addictions through substance abuse rehabilitation for a number of reasons. Progressive in nature, addiction poses a variety of negative consequences to addicts who continue using over time. Some people simply wake up with a desire to obtain treatment, while others are pressured into recovery by legal issues, loved ones or an employer. Once the commitment is made, the decision as to where treatment should be obtained will ultimately depend on a individual needs, financial restrictions and insurance coverage.
Before treatment can begin, patients must complete an intake assessment. During this process, a facility specialist asks the patient a series of questions to best determine a plan of action. Common questions include a use history, current use habits and use amounts. Dual diagnosis can also be employed to address a co-occurring mental health issue. As such, the intake process will typically cover patient mental health histories, including current medications and symptoms.
In some instances, a detoxification process must be completed to wean the patient from their physical dependence in a safe, effective and medically monitored manner. Alcohol, opiates, tranquilizers, heroin and Xanax are all substances requiring detox to ease withdrawal symptoms and avoid complications. Without the proper care, patients are at risk for experiencing serious physical harm or even death. Most detoxification programs last between 3 and 7 days, with 24-hour care. An addiction program will offer patients various medications to help make the process both comfortable and safe for the patient.
In cases where detoxification is not required, patients may be afforded the option of outpatient drug rehab help. This allows patients to obtain evening, weekend or full day treatment while still keeping a job and living at home. Outpatient programs are generally only available to individuals deemed able to function and attend treatment while continuing to reside at home. Random drug testing is employed to ensure that the patient is receiving the proper amount of care. Individual and group therapy is also common.
When more in-depth help is required, residential treatment centers are often the best option. Programs in an inpatient facility can range between 30 to 180 days, with longer programs allowing patients to increase their responsibilities and freedoms as treatment moves forward. Inpatient facilities provide patients with a removal from the day-to-day routine, places and people that have triggered abuse in the past. In addition to group, individual and family therapy sessions, the inpatient community provides a more structured environment than that found in many outpatient programs, enabling patients to build life skills to use once treatment is complete.
Upon program completion, aftercare is vital in avoiding relapse. Most facilities provide patients with on-going support in the form of regular meetings to afford attendees an area to discuss their addiction, the challenges being faced outside the facility, and the transition back into society.