Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs typically offer both short term and long term treatment options that range from 28 days to 12 months. Medically managed detox is the first step and usually occupies at least the first week of inpatient drug treatment. Inpatient rehabilitation services are recommended for moderate to severe drug and alcohol problems that have adversely affected their health, relationships and/or work. Inpatient rehabilitation provides the addict with 24 hour monitoring and support. The 24 hour monitoring and highly structured days make the likelihood that the individual will use drugs or alcohol less likely.
There are several advantages of inpatient rehab drug treatment. The total program emersion in removing the addict from their former environment and leaving the stress of daily life provides a great relief from daily pressures. In a safer cocoon they are better able to adjust to living a drug-free lifestyle. It has been found that receiving so much structure in initial stages of recovery is beneficial to long-term sobriety.
Inpatient treatment may take place in a hospital or rehab unit attached to a hospital. In some cases this may be medically necessary. It is best to start with the less restrictive level of care but still provide structure, supervision and medical intervention.
Short-Term Residential Programs provide intensive but brief residential treatment. They are typically 7 to 14 days and focus on detox. If treatment is discontinued at this stage the likelihood of relapse is extremely high. Detox and short term residential programs are meant to stabilize an individual so they may then enter treatment not as a substitute.
Inpatient Long-Term or Residential Long-term programs provide 24 hour treatment in a residential setting comprised of addiction specialists and fellow recovering addicts. Individuals typically remain in these programs one month to a year or more.
Long-Term residential programs also provide 24 hours of care in a non-clinical settings and are often called “sober living.” One or two groups a day like a morning check-in or meditation group is common. Drug testing is usually part of the program. Long term residential programs are recommended after some period of sobriety is established, usually at least 30 days.
Inpatient or residential rehab centers may offer a wide variety of treatment modalities and options. Virtually all will include a medical exam by a physician experienced in addiction, a medically monitored detox program, psychological testing when needed, psychotherapy, consultations with a psychiatrist, and psychopharmacological management and treatment. The groups offered will vary from center to center but they typically include the following groups:
- social and communication skills
- process and check-in
- relapse prevention
- yoga and exercise
- 12 step and spirituality
- psychodrama
- psycho-education
- family and codependency
- gender specific groups
Individual sessions use many different therapeutic approaches that can range from cognitive behavioral therapy to insight-oriented psychotherapy. Specialized groups and services may also be offered including family and couples work, EMDR, DBT, life coaching and case management.
The purpose of inpatient drug rehab is to assist individuals to lay a solid foundation in sobriety. Abstinence is only the first step. A daily commitment to a lifetime of sobriety is the goal.