Treatment for Addiction

Substance addiction is a progressive condition, meaning that it tends to become more severe as time goes on. But fortunately, addiction treatment can help you end the cycle of drug or alcohol use and learn vital skills to help you stay sober in the long run. There are many types of addiction treatment programs available, and the right one for you depends on your unique treatment needs and preferences. The right program may also depend on the substance or substances you are addicted to, such as heroin, cocaine, alcohol, opioids, and beyond.

Addiction Treatment Settings

Though there are many types of addiction treatment programs, there are two main settings: inpatient and outpatient. Both have their pros and cons. While one setting may be more appropriate for you, what matters most is that you make the decision to enter treatment and make a positive change in your life.

Inpatient

Inpatient addiction treatment programs provide you with 24/7 treatment and oversight to help you maintain and obtain sobriety. You reside at the facility for the length of your program, which is typically a fixed time ranging from 30 days to 90 days. Inpatient addiction treatment is the most intensive option that provides much-needed structure and routine for patients who need it.

Other benefits of inpatient drug and alcohol rehab include:

• A combination of therapies, classes, and activities
• Around-the-clock care and monitoring
• Access to medical care, in case of an emergency
• A relaxing and serene environment to facilitate healing
• An escape from everyday triggers and stressors

If you’re on a budget or don’t have insurance, keep in mind that inpatient rehab tends to be more expensive than outpatient options. However, there are still ways to finance treatment, including crowdfunding, healthcare loans and credit cards, and scholarships and grants. Most insurance plans provide coverage for addiction treatment, though the extent of coverage varies between providers. If you’re looking for a rehab program that meets your needs, give us a call at 866-968-5444Who Answers?. Our 24/7 helpline is confidential.

Outpatient

Outpatient addiction treatment is a flexible rehab option if you’re looking for minimal disruption to your daily routine. It’s not always plausible to go live at a treatment facility for one to three months, but outpatient rehab gives you the opportunity to continue working, attending school, caring for your children, and meeting other important obligations while recovering from a substance addiction. You attend scheduled treatment sessions when it works with your schedule and then return home during non-treatment hours. There are several outpatient settings, which range from just a few hours of care per week to several hours per day. These include:^1,2  

• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs): PHPs include four to six hours of therapy per day, for at least five days a week, although many programs are every day. This is a great option if you need the structure of inpatient but the flexibility of outpatient.
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs): A less intensive option than PHP, IOPs include at least nine hours of care per week, typically occurring over three to five days. Many programs offer many more hours of therapy, though, maxing out at about 30 per week.
• Standard outpatient: A step down from intensive outpatient, standard outpatient includes two to four hours of therapy per week. Since this option has the least structure and intensiveness, it’s best if you have a mild drug or alcohol addiction or have already completed an inpatient or PHP.

Addiction Treatment Types Compared

Within the inpatient treatment category, there are several types of specialized treatment programs that cater to various demographics or integrate specific treatment approaches into their treatment plans. These specialized rehabs offer patients the chance to get the care they need in a setting that is most comfortable for them and with treatment providers who are experienced in addressing their needs.

Holistic Rehab

Holistic rehab programs combine traditional therapeutic techniques with complementary and alternative approaches, such as:

• Massage therapy
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Acupuncture
• Reiki
• Biofeedback and neurofeedback
• Art therapy
• Music therapy
• Equine therapy
• Herbal medicines

These programs aim to heal the whole person from addiction by addressing physical, mental, and spiritual needs. Many of these holistic interventions aim at relieving stress, improving coping skills, and managing certain withdrawal symptoms.

LGBTQIA Rehab

LGBTQIA-identifying individuals are more likely to struggle with drug or alcohol addictions than their cisgender heterosexual counterparts.³ This may be in part due to the significant discrimination they experience throughout their lives. Examples of institutional and individual discrimination include:³

• Housing and employment discrimination
• Lack of access to medical care
• Harassment
• Violence
• Physical and emotional abuse from family members
• Familial rejection
• Rejection by spiritual community
• Loss of child custody or job loss

Many LGBTQIA people don’t seek the addiction treatment they need because of the fear of stigma, judgment, or discrimination from treatment providers and other patients. Because stigma perpetuates substance abuse in this population, attending treatment that is not inclusive and affirming can contribute to further substance use. That’s why LGBTQIA-specific rehabs are so important—they give patients in this community a safe and healing place to recover from alcohol and drug use.

Veteran Addiction Treatment

Many veterans who return home from combat and deployment struggle with drug and alcohol abuse. About 11% of veterans receiving first-time care within the Veterans Affairs healthcare system meet the criteria for a substance addiction, or substance use disorder.⁵ The reasons for this are complex and multi-faceted but contributors to substance addiction in veterans may include mental health conditions, physical disabilities, receiving prescription opioids for injuries or pain, and trauma of combat (as well as the development of post-traumatic stress disorder).

Specialized addiction treatment programs for veterans are experienced and educated in the unique challenges that this population faces. They provide trauma-informed care and comprehensive treatment that addresses every aspect of the patient’s experiences.

Faith-Based Rehab

Faith-based rehab programs integrate spiritual practices into their treatment plans. These programs are catered toward religious individuals who want help reconnecting with their higher power or spiritual side while recovering from alcohol or drug addiction. These programs may offer various spiritual activities and classes, such as:

• Religious study group
• Prayer group
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings
• Scripture readings

Luxury Addiction Treatment

Luxury addiction treatment programs utilize evidence-based interventions, such as individual and group therapy, but in a resort-like environment with upscale features and amenities, such as gourmet meals, private rooms, massage therapy, spas and more. These programs are typically much more expensive than standard inpatient rehabs and insurance will likely not cover the extra costs.

Executive Rehab

Executive treatment centers combine the upscale features of a luxury rehab with the amenities working professionals need to stay connected. Patients will have access to high-speed internet, private workspaces, and more so that they can keep working while recovering from their addiction. Much like luxury treatment, executive rehabs are going to cost more than other forms of inpatient care.

What to Look for in an Addiction Treatment Program

There are some features you should look for in a rehab, no matter what your treatment needs or preferences are. These features include:

• Appropriate staff credentials (LCSW, MFT, Psy.D., N.P., P.M.H.N.P, etc.)
• Program accreditations (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and the Joint Commission)
• Individualized treatment plans
• Evidence-based practices (e.g. cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and contingency management)
• Low patient-to-staff ratio
• Financing options
• Onsite medical care
• Aftercare planning

How to Find an Addiction Treatment Program

If you are concerned that you have a substance addiction, you may want to schedule an appointment with your doctor, therapist, or psychologist. They can conduct a drug or alcohol abuse evaluation to determine if you have a substance use disorder. Once they complete your assessment, they’ll refer you to appropriate treatment setting or program. If you are worried about a loved one’s substance use, you might want to consider holding an intervention for them. Once you do that, they may be willing to enter treatment, with your help.

Another way to find a quality addiction treatment program is to call our 24/7 helpline at 866-968-5444Who Answers?. Our knowledgeable treatment support specialists can help you find a rehab that meets your particular needs.

Resources

1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014). Treatment Settings.
2. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2006. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 47.) Chapter 3. Intensive Outpatient Treatment and the Continuum of Care. 
3. Green, K. E., & Feinstein, B. A. (2012). Substance use in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: An update on empirical research and implications for treatment. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 26(2), 265–278.
4. McCabe, S. E., Bostwick, W. B., Hughes, T. L., West, B. T., & Boyd, C. J. (2010). The relationship between discrimination and substance use disorders among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States. American journal of public health, 100(10), 1946–1952.
5. Teeters, J. B., Lancaster, C. L., Brown, D. G., & Back, S. E. (2017). Substance use disorders in military veterans: prevalence and treatment challenges. Substance abuse and rehabilitation, 8, 69–77.