How Does Drug Rehab Work?
Other People Are Reading
-
Referral
-
People can come to the decision to attend drug rehabilitation for a variety of reasons. Addiction is a progressive disease, and an individual who experiences the continued negative consequences that it brings may decide it is time to get help. Other motivators can include outside pressures, such as loved ones, an employer or legal issues. Once you make a commitment, where to seek services will depend on specific needs, insurance issues or the ability to pay.
Intake
-
The intake assessment is the first step of the rehabilitation process. At this time, a facility staff member asks a series of questions to formulate a plan of care, which will guide treatment. The questions include a thorough substance abuse history, as well as current drugs used and in what amounts. Co-occurring disorders, in which an individual has both mental health and substance abuse issues, are common. Therefore, staff likely will explore your mental health history, including present symptoms and medications.
The assessment also examines how motivated you are to make changes, along with any stressors that can complicate your recovery. These may concern family, financial, employment or social problems. Medical needs should be identified too. All of this information is used to determine the intensity of care, to ensure the facility can meet your needs. -
Detoxification
-
Alcohol and certain other substances require a medically monitored detoxification process to wean the body's physical dependence in a safe manner. The other substances include opiate pain medications, heroin and tranquilizers like Xanax. Without the appropriate care, serious physical harm or death can result. This process can take anywhere from three to 10 days, and will involve 24-hour monitoring. Staff will offer medications during this time to make detox safe and comfortable.
Outpatient Treatment
-
If detoxification is not a concern, the facility may offer drug rehabilitation at varying levels of intensity, from evenings and/or weekends only, to full-time day treatment. Outpatient treatment is offered to people whose functioning is sufficient to attend care while still living at home. You may have to submit to random drug testing to ensure this level of care is adequate. Outpatient treatment may consist of individual and group therapy, and possibly other therapeutic activities, to provide the skills necessary to begin a substance-free lifestyle.
Inpatient Treatment
-
When more restrictive measures are needed, staff may recommend inpatient or residential treatment. The term can range from one to six months, with the longer programs allowing clients to earn increasing freedom over time. The inpatient setting offers time away from the people, places and things that trigger drug use. In addition to individual, group and family counseling, this therapeutic community offers a structured environment with expectations that help to build sober life skills.
Aftercare
-
After primary treatment ends, follow-up care is important to assist with relapse prevention. Facilities offer continued support, usually in the form of weekly groups that provide a place to talk about success and challenges after the transition back to daily life.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit nationaltreatmentcenters.org,downloadfreedesktopwallpaper.net
