What to Expect in Residential Drug Treatment
Deciding to enter a residential drug treatment program can be a frightening choice. Not knowing what to expect from an inpatient program is often what keeps addicts from seeking help.
The most important thing to know is that residential drug treatment is a choice. Even if the treatment is court ordered, the doors are not locked, and patients can leave whenever they choose. Drug addiction help only works if the addict is willing to get clean and sober. The surprising and telling truth is that even though addicts are free to leave, almost all end up staying for the full treatment.
The first stage of residential drug treatment is detox. Detoxification includes a set of interventions aimed at clearing toxins from the body and safely and comfortably managing an individual through acute intoxication and withdrawal. The process is managed by board certified physicians and round the clock nursing. Patients are more likely to complete their detox if withdrawal symptoms are minimal.
Therapy is a major component to treating drug addiction, and most hold counseling and group therapy sessions regularly. These sessions are designed to teach life skills and help the addict recognize situations where drug and alcohol use may occur. Once these are recognized, the addict can learn coping skills for those situations, or how to avoid them all together. Family involvement is also essential so that family members can learn the dynamics of drug addiction and help with the addict’s recovery. Since drug addiction affects the entire family, this type of therapy also allows family members to heal.
Quality programs focus on the underlying causes of addiction and education is critical to the addict’s success. The process tries to get the addict to look at drug and alcohol use honestly and realistically so they can change their attitude about drug and alcohol dependency.
Aftercare is extremely important to success once the patient leaves inpatient rehab. This care may include intensive outpatient treatment, residency in a halfway house, attendance at 12-step meetings or weekly check-ins with counselors.
Addiction to drugs or alcohol has one of the highest relapse rates of any disease. It often takes more than one visit to rehab for an addict to get completely clean and sober, and relapses are not unusual. By learning what happens when an addict enters rehab, some of the fear can be alleviated so that they are more willing to get the help they need.
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