How to Choose an Addiction Treatment Centre?

Common treatments range from intensive inpatient programmes to outpatient addiction treatment centres and day treatment options. Addiction affects different people in different ways and it is important to know the options in front of you in order to choose the treatment that best fits your individual needs.

Inpatient Addiction Treatment

Many people that get treatment for addiction do so at an inpatient addiction treatment centre. The significance of an inpatient programme is that a person stays at the rehab centre for the duration of their treatment. Most inpatient programmes last between 28-90 days, but there are options for extended stays if necessary. Detox most often takes place at the treatment centre, but in some instances, it will be performed at a separate facility.

Inpatient rehab is beneficial because it offers an individual the opportunity to focus all their attention on getting well. Because it removes a person from their immediate environment, an inpatient programme can help tremendously when a person is hit with the overwhelming desire to use during the rehab process. Triggers are inevitable, but can be more easily avoided when attending an inpatient programme.

Quite often, there are determining factors that delegate what type of treatment a person will receive. For instance, a person with a heavy heroin habit will do best where they can be monitored 24 hours a day. Those that are facing severe addictions such as these tend to do best at an inpatient programme. Teens with addictions also tend to do better in an inpatient setting.

Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Outpatient treatment is another common option when it comes to addiction therapy. In an outpatient setting, an individual will receive treatment for their addiction in a centre located close to home. This way they can receive treatment while attending to whatever other personal responsibilities they may have. Outpatient rehab is best for those who have a family to take care of or who cannot afford to take time off from work. Those who aren’t able to take time away from school can also benefit from an outpatient setting.

Outpatient rehab is best suited for those with addictions that are less severe, as well as those who are open to receiving treatment. It’s also a great option for people who have completed an inpatient programme and want to ensure they don’t relapse. Outpatient rehab programmes can be of tremendous benefit to anyone looking to overcome addiction, but because there is lack of 24-hour care, it is up to the individual receiving treatment to take the necessary precautions to avoid the triggers that can lead to relapse.

Despite the type of rehab programme you choose, the most important thing is being fully engaged in whatever programme you’re in. The willingness of an individual to get help and participate in various treatment modalities is something that shouldn’t be underestimated. Attitude has a lot to do with the success a person will see. Trying to maintain an openness to treatment throughout the process is a very important aspect that everyone receiving treatment should keep in mind.

What to Expect When Getting Treatment for Addiction?

Although there are a variety of different treatment centres that cater to addiction, the basic premise when attending is basically universal. Addiction treatment is designed around the need for patients to alleviate their dependency on drugs or alcohol. And while what an individual experiences at one treatment centre will most likely be different than what they would encounter at another, the basics of rehab are often quite similar.

Questions about the nature of an individual’s addiction will be presented, with those conducting the interview interested in the severity of a person’s addiction, the history of their substance abuse, their medical history, their family history in regards to addiction, and more. Payment arrangements may be discussed during the intake process as well.

Detox

Before a person can get the help they need for their addiction, they need to go through the detox process. Physical withdrawal from drugs and alcohol can be extremely difficult and is often the reason many people stay in addictive cycles for years. Doing a detox will take place before any other treatment begins. The length of time detox takes is dependent on the severity of the person’s addiction. More extreme cases of addiction often warrant a medically supervised detox. The detox process will last anywhere from 24 hours up to a week or longer depending on the level and type of drugs in a person’s system.

Therapy

To overcome addiction for good, it’s vital a person can talk openly about it. The power contained in talking to a professional therapist or counsellor should not be underestimated. Being open about your addiction (and the problems that have surfaced because of it) will help immensely in the recovery process. Therapy allows not only allows a person a better understanding about themselves and their addiction, but can help uncover the reasons behind their current addicted state. This understanding is imperative when it comes to lasting change. Therapy is a HUGE aspect of going to a treatment centre and getting help with addiction. Individuals attending a treatment programme should expect to talk to a professional daily. Group therapy is another popular means of the treatment process, and allows the individual to connect with others who share a similar experience.

Treatment Opportunities

When it comes to treating addiction, you’ll find there is an array of different types of treatment opportunities. A quality treatment centre will use evidence based treatment options that have proven to help others overcome addiction. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) are both common treatments that provide a more comprehensive understanding of a person’s motives behind their substance abuse so they are well equipped to make positive changes in their life. Other common treatment opportunities will include physical fitness programmes, nutritional therapy, yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, equine therapy, art therapy, and more.

Relapse Prevention/Aftercare

Treatment doesn’t stop when a person’s stay in rehab is over. Aftercare is a vital part of the addiction treatment process that should not be overlooked. A quality treatment centre will offer aftercare strategies that address relapse prevention. In aftercare, it is common to continue with therapy, as well as different meetings. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are free and very prevalent within the recovery community. Aftercare offers what a person needs to ensure they sustain their newly sober state.

How Does Detoxification Work?

It’s essential that a person entering treatment knows how important detox truly is. The way a person experiences detox will be different depending upon each individual including their metabolism, type of drug taken, how much they are accustomed to using, the severity of their addiction, and any other drugs that might be in their system. The detox process is designed to remove all traces of drugs or alcohol from a person’s body before they get additional treatment.