Alcohol and drug addiction impacts people of any age, background or circumstance. It can be a long hard road to recovery but it is a road worth taking. If you or someone you love is battling with a drug or alcohol problem there is help out there. The following article looks at alcohol and drug rehab options available to those with a substance use disorder (SUD), and treatment approaches that work.
What is alcohol and drug rehab?
Rehab: Also known as rehab, this is the type of treatment a person with an alcohol/ drug addiction may enter. Rehab is where they receive professional help to overcome their addiction for example : Therapies, medication treatment and counseling.
Rehab is possible in various environments including, inpatient (residential) or outpatient settings, or even at home as part of a community-based program. The actual treatment is flexible, therefore specific to the requirements of the individual, taking into considerations the type of drug used, dependency severity, etc.
Types of Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs
Rehabilitation programs can vary in intensity and structure. Some common types of rehab include:
1. Inpatient Rehab (Residential Treatment)
Inpatient rehab is usually thought to be the most rigorous treatment. Patients are residing at a treatment facility for however long they are recovering. Having a set place for recovery creates a controlled environment so patients won‘t be distracted or affected by outside influences. Usually inpatient treatments last from 30 to 90 days.
Advantages of Inpatient Rehab:
Constant medical oversight and emotional support
Structured environment conducive to healing.
Access to group therapy and individual therapy and alternative/compromise therapies
On-site alcohol detoxification services.
2. Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient rehab is that treatment which is suitable for patients who are unable to stay in residential treatment long term but still require professional help. The patient lives and works outside the treatment facility and attends session regularly.
Advantages of Outpatient Rehab:
Allows you to live at home and carry on work/school duties
Opportunities to practice new skills in real-life situations
– Frequent contacts with doctors and therapists
Good for people not too severely addicted or who are coming off hospital/in hospital medication
3. Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
Partial hospitalization also known as a PHP, is a stepping stone between inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. It provides a level of care that is more intense than outpatient rehab, but not as much as in inpatient setting. A PHP entails several hours of therapy and medical attention each day.
Advantages of PHP:
Flexible schedules with intensive treatment
Medical and psychiatric care access
For patients who require intensive treatment but are stable enough to be discharged home
4. Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
Intensive outpatient programs are a bit more structured than outpatient care, offering more hours of treatment each week than outpatient rehab. IOPs are suitable for those needing more supervision than outpatient rehab provides, yet not wanting or needing constant supervision.
Advantages of IOP:
More targeted interventions than outpatient care
Flexibility in being able to attend therapy sessions and returning to day to day life. Assists people with staying on track following inpatient treatment.
Treatment Strategies for Alcohol and Drug Rehab
The treatments utilized in rehab are diverse, targeting a person‘s physical and psychological addiction. Here are some of the most successful methods used in alcohol and drug rehab:
1. Detoxification (Detox)
Detox is usually the first phase of the rehabilitation process. It is the process of cleansing the body of drugs and/or alcohol, often associated with withdrawal symptoms. This process is often regulated by a doctor.
Common detox treatments include:
Medication used in the treatment of withdrawal symptoms such as methadone for opiate withdrawal.
Detecting potentially fatal adverse events (seizures, delirium tremens)
Providing psychological support for those affected by emotional pain
2. Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapies are a mainstay of many treatment programs. They assist clients to modify the behavioral patterns that have led to their addiction and also help those with issues like trauma, anxiety, or depression that might have lead to drug consumption.
Types of behavioral therapy:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Aims to help patients confront and change negative thinking and maladaptive behavior that maintain addictive behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): A spec-cognitions of CBT that focuses on emotion regulation and mindfulness and is effective for individuals with co-morbid mental health conditions.
Contingency Management: Rewards for living a sober life.
Motivational Interviewing (MI): a client-focused therapy, used to reveal a person‘s motivation to make change and overcome ambivalence.
3. Group Therapy
In group therapy, a therapist conducts therapy session with a group of people who are struggling with similar problems. It allows individuals to vent out their feelings and learn from others’ experiences and adversities. The sense of camaraderie and accountability that accompanies group therapy can be an essential factor to maintain long-term addiction recovery.
4. Family Therapy
Addiction does not only affect the individual, but those closest to him such as friends and family. Family therapy involves repairing damaged relationships and dealing with any harmful family patterns, which may contribute to addiction. Families learn about addiction, and how they can help support the addict through recovery.
5. Holistic and Complementary Therapies
A lot of rehab programs include holistic therapies to help on a general level. These therapies look at the link between the mind and body and also include emotional, physical and spiritual healing.
Holistic therapies include:
Yoga and Meditation: These are effective techniques to reduce anxiety and stress and induce relaxations.
Art and Music Therapy: Art and music provide avenues for self-expression and emotional catharsis.
Acupuncture and Massage Therapy: alternatives that can assist with pain management, detox and relaxation.
6. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Mat is the term used for treatment of patients who are addicted to opiates, alcohol and other drugs. Using medicines to treat people with addiction problems along with the use of therapy and counseling is termed as MAT.
Common medications used in MAT include:
Methadone: A medication administered to treat opiate addiction, which alleviates withdrawal symptoms and diminishes craving.
Buprenorphine a partial opioid agonist with the ability to help alleviate symptoms associated with opioid use such as withdrawal and craving.
Naltrexone: prescribed to treat alcohol and opioid addiction. Blocks the effects of these substances.
Disulfiram (Antabuse): used in alcohol addiction, gives unpleasant feeling if is drunk.
7. Aftercare and Support Groups
Upon finishing the rehab program, the people in recovery will need to carry on with their recovery. Aftercare services are greatly important for avoiding relapse and remaining drug-free. These services could involve follow-up therapy, medications, or access to support groups.
Popular support groups include:
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): AA is a 12 step program designed for those who are recovering from alcohol addiction.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA): 12 step group for addicts recovering from drug abuse.
SMART Recovery: a science-based approach that emphasizes skill building and self-management.
Conclusion
Drug rehab and alcohol rehab is an essential process in the road to recovery for those with substance use disorders. No two people are the same, and therefore addiction treatment has to be tailored to the individual. Through a combination of medication, counseling and therapies, drug and alcohol rehab can put addicts back on the road to a healthy, happy life.
The path to recovery is not always easy. With appropriate treatment and support, however, it is possible to beat addiction and create a happier, healthier future. If you or someone you love suffers with addiction, seeing professional treatment is the first stage in a path toward catharsis.
