The most effective drug and alcohol addiction programs are holistic: they address many different aspects of one’s life, including social and family relationships. When patients attend rehab centers near home, those they love can visit and support them during their treatment and, in some cases, participate in counseling sessions.
Another aspect of holistic addiction care is connecting alcohol or drug addicts with long-term support resources within their own communities, particularly during the early recovery phase when relapse is most likely. When one attends treatment near home, his or her chosen rehab center will be familiar and can connect the patient with support groups, therapists, and other important resources within their own communities.
People with drug and alcohol addictions often wonder why they cannot get better on their own or with the help of groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. Research shows people struggling with substance abuse are far more likely to overcome addiction and maintain sobriety long-term after attending full-time residential rehab centers for at least 30 days, though longer is generally better. Most public support groups, like AA, are designed to support recovering alcoholics and addicts after they complete a treatment program. People who leave treatment early–or forego it entirely–expose themselves and the people they love to the painful consequences of addiction.
Addiction can affect every area of someone’s life. The following are some examples of the impact substance abuse can have, which are all good reasons to get treatment.
When someone is in the throes of addiction, it’s difficult to maintain healthy, happy relationships with friends and family members. People with addiction challenges have the tendency to revolve their entire lives around using, so their relationships become much less important to them. As a result, they can be dishonest, neglectful, and emotionally and physically abusive toward the people who love them.
Physically, drug and alcohol addiction can lead to a variety of problems such as liver failure, cancer, gastrointestinal disease, sexually transmitted infections from unsafe sex, stroke, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, seizures, and heart disease. In addition to these problems, pregnant women can put their unborn babies at risk for low birth weight, learning and behavioral problems, withdrawal symptoms, and birth defects. Also, pregnant women may have premature deliveries, suffer from miscarriages, or have stillborns.
Abuse of drugs and alcohol can alter the body’s hormone levels, which wreaks havoc on emotions and brain functioning. This can lead to learning problems, memory loss, psychosis, depression, mood swings, paranoia, anxiety, and aggression.
Daily use of alcohol and drugs is costly. But it’s not just the price of substances that affects someone’s finances: Addiction may cause people to make poor decisions that can lead to lost jobs and missed bill payments. It can also affect the ability to get employment.
There are several legal consequences associated with addiction that range from driver’s license suspension to hefty fines to lengthy incarceration.
Addiction can touch people from all walks of life, so treatment programs are created to meet the specific needs of individual patients. Understanding the different types of alcohol and drug treatment centers available helps one make better decisions about their care. The follow are among some of the most common rehab options.
30-day. Short-term residential treatment is an intensive way for people to get care away from their daily environment. These programs are generally based on a twelve-step approach that has been tailored to the time patients are in the facility. Patients are encouraged to participate in aftercare programs when they’ve completed their treatment.
Extended care. Extended care treatment programs last at least 60 days and some may work with patients for over a year. In addition to addressing the physical aspects of addiction, these programs also deal with the social and psychological issues that may have precipitated it. Extended care programs heavily focus on destructive behavior patterns, taking responsibility for actions, and improving self-concept.
State-run. State-run rehab facilities are available to patients who do not have insurance and cannot afford to stay in private facilities. As a result, treatment may be free of charge, or patients may be required to make a small payment. These programs often have long waiting lists.
Private. Patients who go to private rehab centers pay for their treatment out of pocket or through their insurance policies. They have shorter waiting lists than state-run facilities and may have more services and amenities available.
Full-service/luxury. These treatment centers are more expensive than most private facilities, so patients often get access to innovative practices not available in other rehabs. In addition, there tends to be a higher staff-to-patient ratio, which allows people getting treatment to receive highly-individualized attention.
Outpatient facilities are an alternative for those who cannot receive in-patient care, or people who have completed a residential program and want to continue their treatment. The amount of daily time patients devote to outpatient programs depends on their individual needs: In some cases, people may spend eight hours a day getting treatment, while other programs only require two hours a day. Services offered may include medication-assisted treatment, life skills classes, group and individual therapy, and support groups. Patients may be required to take random drug tests to ensure they’re maintaining their sobriety.
Juvenile/Adolescent Centers. Since younger people’s brains are not fully developed yet, alcohol and drug abuse affects them in different ways than it does adults. This coupled with the emotional, physical, and social changes these patients go through make specialized treatment particularly important to help them handle the pressure of getting and remaining sober. These programs help young patients cope with the school, family, peer, and developmental issues that often contribute to relapse.
Veterans Programs. Rehab centers that cater to veterans are designed to meet the specific needs of patients who have been psychologically, physically, and emotionally scarred by combat and are dealing with the stress of acclimating back into the civilian world. These facilities offer group counseling, so patients can connect with people who understand what they’ve been through.
Treatment for Inmates. Treatment programs for incarcerated patients are designed to not only help them overcome their substance abuse, but also reduce criminal behavior and the likelihood of recidivism. These programs go a long way toward contributing to reintegration so patients can turn their lives around when they’re released.
Programs for LGBTQ Communities. People in the LGBT community face unique stresses—such as coping with their sexuality, dealing with coming out to friends and family, and discrimination—that can cause them to turn to drugs and alcohol to cope. These issues can also make sobriety difficult to maintain, so a rehab program that helps them accept their sexual identity and bond with a supportive community can help prevent relapses.
Rehab Centers for Seniors. Like adolescents, seniors benefit from age-specific treatment programs that address their physical and psychological health, as well as their lifestyle changes. These programs can focus on patients’ mental and physical acuity, finances, and family structure.
There are several physical, emotional, and behavioral signs that someone’s drug or alcohol use has gotten out of control and requires treatment. Physically, the signs of addiction include excessive weight loss, changes in eating and sleeping habits, constant sniffing and runny nose for no medical reason, diarrhea or constipation, and a decline in hygiene. Emotionally, addiction can cause irritability, anger, resentment, bitterness, and depression. In addition, addiction leads to radical changes in people’s behavior, including risk taking, secrecy, and theft.
Although it is possible to recover without entering rehab, this increases the likelihood of relapse. It’s also dangerous because going through withdrawal without the proper medications can be so psychologically and physically severe that some people harm themselves or even commit suicide.
People who have loved ones with an addiction should address it directly, even though that person may get defensive and angry. During the confrontation, they should exhibit tough love by letting the person know they’re deeply cared about, but their behavior is destructive and won’t be tolerated.
In order for adolescents to be successful in their recovery, it’s imperative for parents to play an active role in their treatment. Parents can do this by regularly keeping in touch with doctors and counselors to find out how their child is doing, visiting and speaking to their child on the phone, and participating in support groups and programs aimed at parents.
Rehabilitation treatment generally lasts between 30 and 90 days.
The cost of rehab can range between $1,000 to $80,000, depending on the types of services patients receive and the length of the treatment.
Insurance does cover rehab treatment, but the amount and kind of treatment covered depends on the specific policy. In addition, certain patients—such as people who are over 65 or under 19, are pregnant, or have a disability—may be able to use Medicare or Medicaid benefits to pay for these services.
People who do not have insurance can use several alternative payment methods. Patients may pay for their treatment with specialized loans, health credit cards, retirement savings, and crowdfunding campaigns. In addition, some people may be able to get a scholarship for rehab or check into a state-sponsored program that is no or low cost.
Patients are allowed to leave treatment early, but it is not advised. People who end their treatment prematurely tend to go back to abusing alcohol and drugs.
Going through rehab is challenging, but it’s only the first step in successfully adopting a clean and sober lifestyle. Whether patients receive treatment from a long-term or short-term care facility, continued success depends on the services they receive after they’ve completed their rehab program. Facilities may offer aftercare services to help these patients maintain their sobriety, including individual and group counseling, twelve-step programs, relapse prevention therapy, sober living homes, and pharmaceutical treatments.