Once a patient has the right insurance for addiction treatment, their next step involves entering a treatment program. Two primary treatment programs for drug or alcohol addiction are inpatient rehab and outpatient treatment. Furthermore, both of these treatments begin with medical detoxification.
Before entering substance abuse treatment, it’s essential to understand that withdrawal symptoms usually occur after ceasing usage of an addictive substance.
Withdrawal symptoms are difficult for patients to handle on their own. As such, you or a loved one should opt for medical detox. During the detoxification process, medical professionals monitor the patient 24/7 to ensure that the symptoms never become too severe.
Tiny doses of medications may be given to keep the more severe withdrawal symptoms at bay. Over time, the symptoms will decrease, meaning the drug is leaving the patient’s system. Once this occurs, the patient can continue for the remainder of their addiction treatment.
Inpatient Rehab
Patients who enter an inpatient rehab facility will remain 24/7 until they finish the program. The program length differs with each patient and can last from 30 days to one year. A core benefit of staying in an inpatient rehab facility is that these facilities offer drug-free environments.
The patient will live among other individuals going through the same thing. This setting can facilitate a support system that may be beneficial long after the program. The primary addiction treatments available through inpatient rehab include:
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment offers many of the same benefits as inpatient rehab. However, patients at these addiction treatment centers only have to attend addiction treatment sessions 3-5 times per week.
The main advantage of seeking outpatient treatment is that it’s possible to maintain a regular schedule of going to work or school during the week. On the other hand, patients in outpatient treatment may still have access to addictive substances.
