Drug Rehab, Inpatient Drug Detox, Outpatient Drug Detox

Drug Rehab

The term “drug rehab” can paint different mental pictures for different people. Some see it as a place to get the help they need: hopeful and maybe even exciting. Others might see it as a cross between an orphanage and a penitentiary: lonely, cold and intimidating. This mental picture may cause some people to see drug rehab as a cure that’s worse than the disease! We can assure you, that’s not the case.

All the drug rehab facilities that are part of our network provide safe, comfortable places where an addict or alcoholic can learn how to break the cycle of addiction. Each treatment center exists to help the addict through those first critical few days, where the addict’s body is detoxified (meaning all the chemical compounds of the drugs or alcohol leave the patient’s system), and the addict experiences withdrawal symptoms.

The severity of these symptoms varies from one addict to another, but the objective of rehab is to make the addict as comfortable as possible during this time, preparing him or her to actively participate in a program of recovery.

Inpatient Drug Detox

The first few days of recovery from drug or alcohol addiction are usually the most difficult. The body has to recover from the damage caused by the drugs or alcohol and this process is, at best, uncomfortable. However, it’s a necessary step toward a life-long commitment to drug abstinence.

When an addict enters an inpatient drug detox program, they are under the care of professionals around the clock. Their symptoms are constantly monitored and medication (typically Buprenorphine or Suboxone) is often used to lessen the severity of these symptoms. When administered carefully, the patient will experience a virtually pain-free detox.

The patient’s length of stay will vary from one facility to another, and will be individualized to the patient’s needs. Once the detox process is complete, the patient can begin to participate in the treatment program, which includes a combination of group and individual counseling, family therapy, and support group meetings.

Outpatient Drug Detox

Like the Inpatient model of drug detox, Outpatient Detox is a process of helping the body recover from the effects of drug or alcohol abuse. The patient continues to live at home, keep commitments to work or school, and visit the facility at regular intervals. Under medical supervision during these visits, the patient is given medication that moderates the symptoms of withdrawal and helps steady the patient’s brain functions.

This form of treatment is generally less costly than Inpatient treatment, and allows the patient to return to normal activities more quickly. The treatment program following detox may also be offered on an Outpatient basis, with the patient returning to the facility several times a week to participate in counseling, take part in a support group, and attend workshops on relapse prevention.