For the majority of people with substance abuse issues, attending inpatient or residential rehab gives them the best chance of achieving and maintaining sobriety. Inpatient treatment requires individuals to reside at a rehab center for the duration of their program, removing them from the environment associated with substance abuse. The sober and immersive environment of inpatient rehab is a powerful tool to motivate people through the course of treatment and into recovery.
Inpatient rehab is particularly effective for people who require supervision through detox and monitoring beyond that point until they are ready to return home. Although outpatient treatment services offer as wide a range of therapies as residential rehab, not everyone is capable of sustaining sobriety while remaining at home. This can be for a number of reasons such as a difficult home environment or the presence of enabling individuals. Ultimately all types of rehab have the same objective of helping people cope with addiction illness in their daily lives after treatment.
Inpatient Rehab More Effective During the Detox Step
In almost all cases of substance abuse, it is recommended to stop using under the full supervision of medical professionals. This is because individuals have very different experiences of withdrawal and those with more severe addiction can have very intense symptoms that require immediate treatment. Having qualified clinicians present throughout detox ensures the process is as comfortable as is possible.
Detoxification is the first and mandatory step of all rehab programs and the reason it is so important is not only so to get patients sober but also to rid them of the accumulated chemical influence of alcohol or drugs. Drugs and alcohol can have a considerable impact on a person’s emotional, physical and mental state because of the way they cause changes in brain chemistry that do significant damage the longer they continue.
One of the main characteristics of addiction is to continue abusing alcohol or drugs despite the devastating consequences on the person and those close to them. This is a clear indication that using substances is no longer a conscious decision but rather an overwhelming compulsion.
The Benefits of Inpatient Treatment
No matter what a person’s background is or how severe their issues with substance abuse, rehab is a challenging and risky experience. Much of the challenges involved are to do with managing expectations not just of the person in rehab but those close to them. Rehab will not cure addiction but will open the doors to a different kind of lifestyle that’s substance-free.
People in rehab have to make significant lifestyle changes that many find difficult. One of the most challenging is cutting off contact with enablers and staying away from places where people are abusing substances. This is fundamental to an individual getting the benefits of any kind of rehab program in cities like Seattle although residential treatment makes the process slightly easier by removing the person from their home environment at the start of their recovery journey.
What Does an Inpatient Rehab Program Entail?
There are different types of treatment centers although in general, the following components are offered:
Individual Counseling and Group Therapy
Feeling supported by people who understand addiction is integral to a person’s recovery outcomes. Residential treatment centers are structured so that patients are busy in therapy or counseling throughout the program so that they are more likely to overcome any cravings for substances they may experience.
Substance use disorder is generally driven by a negative internal dialogue and so when trying to regain control of their lives, inpatients have plenty of opportunities to share their experiences with others and talk through their addiction issues. This frees them from pent-up negativity and allows them clarity to recognize that a positive future is achievable with the help of others.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Many treatment centers today offer a behavioral therapy component which is often CBT. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to identify the negative thought processes and emotions that drive a person to substance abuse. Everyone who has addiction illness initially started using alcohol or drugs for a reason and so in order to overcome their problems, these reasons need to be identified and addressed.
Once an individual is able to understand the nature of their personal substance abuse issues, they can start to work on making positive changes to turn their lives around. Understanding the triggers of substance use can help them create a recovery strategy where these obstacles to sobriety are removed from their path. CBT is discussion-based and requires a certain amount of homework from the patient which is beneficial in helping them get a better understanding of their illness.
Holistic or Complementary Therapies
Holistic therapies are increasingly being incorporated into addiction programs as many people favor the natural approach to overcoming substance abuse. Mindfulness practices such as meditation and yoga provide individuals with valuable tools for finding relaxation without using drugs or alcohol. These ancient holistic practices also teach people how to be present in the moment, without dwelling on past mistakes or concerns about the future. The holistic approach to rehab has been shown to be highly effective when used in combination with evidence-based therapies like CBT.