The word “rehabilitate” means to restore to a previous condition of good health, good standing or former capacity.
Rehabilitation or Rehab can refer to any number of programs or centers ranging from:
- Drug and alcohol rehab: for dependency on substances such as alcohol or drugs.
- Occupational therapy rehabilitation: aimed at assisting people with job and life skills.
- Physical therapy: the goal is to restore and retain optimal pain-free movement and function.
- Physical medicine rehabilitation: deals with the restoration of function despite any physical disabilities.
- Psychiatric rehabilitation: focuses on the restoration of mental health and better life and coping skills after mental illness.
- Vocational rehab: goal is aiding individuals with disabilities to find and keep jobs.
Typically the term “rehab” has come to mean drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers. Many drug rehab centers also deal with co-occurring disorders or parallel addictions such as sex and love addiction, shopping addiction, pathological gambling addiction, and food addiction. Detox may take place in a rehab hospital or a residential rehab center.
Residential Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation
Detox and residential treatment are the first steps toward a lifetime of recovery free from addiction. In residential treatment, individuals receive intensive treatment, which may include educational groups, group counseling, treatment planning, individual therapy, relapse prevention groups, psycho-education groups, and specific components tailored for each individual client based on their needs. Many programs are 12-step based.
The clinical staff at a residential rehab works with each individual to assist them in developing the life and coping skills that assist with not only this initial period but sustain them for a lifetime free from addiction. This goal is accomplished as triggers and issues are identified, and while strengths and weaknesses are established. Family members are typically invited to week long or weekend long family programs so that they may participate in the treatment process.
The clinical team generally consists of nurses, therapists, clinical supervisory directors, and a physician with a specialty in addiction medicine.
Residential Treatment Services Generally Include:
- Assessment/evaluation by counselors and medical staff
- Alcohol and drug detox
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- Relapse prevention workshops
- Individual therapy
- Individualized treatment and goal planning
- Case management
- Local and community referrals
- Transition and life skills planning
- Topic groups
- Drug and alcohol psycho-education
- Medication monitoring
- Family program, participation and involvement
- Introduction to 12 Step principles and community
- Legal system advocacy when needed
- Nutritious meals and health and nutrition education
- Experiential therapies (equine, art, dance, drama)
- Alumni meetings and fellowship
- Aftercare program and planning
Residential rehabilitation is usually 30 days long with extension periods offered. Studies have shown that when individuals stay longer than the initial 30 days, their chances of staying sober and clean increase dramatically. A 90 day rehabilitation program provides allows those who have completed residential treatment a chance to practice the skills they learned in their daily life while still providing a safe living container.