Regardless of the type of addiction you have, life can feel like a battle. Because of this, you might decide it is time to get help to beat your addiction. In doing so, you have to start by finding the right treatment program for you. Although it might not feel like it at the time, recovery is entirely possible if you find, join, and follow the right program. There are different options available and we are going to look at them in this article.
Types of Addiction Treatment
There are several options available to addicts who want to recover from drug or alcohol abuse. Knowing the available options is an important first step for addicts looking for help. It also makes it easier for addicts to select programs that would work best for them.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment is sometimes also called in-patient treatment. For some addicts, especially those who are at a higher risk of relapsing, it is important to be away from the people and situations that would make it much harder to follow their recovery plans. The goal of this treatment option is to provide a space where addicts can focus on their recovery without being distracted by things that would otherwise distract them in the outside world.
A key component of residential treatment is support. Facilities that provide this type of treatment will often have qualified and certified healthcare professionals and counselors on hand to help with the detoxification process as well as arm addicts with tools to help cope with withdrawal.
The healthcare team also helps addicts develop personalized treatment plans which often involve individual counseling and group therapy sessions.
The key to being in a residential treatment center is developing healthy coping mechanisms, learning how to fight relapses, and committing to a new life.
Sober Living Communities
A major challenge for many addicts is leaving the safety and comfort of the residential treatment centers. Some of the addicts who struggle with this will go home and return to the habits that led to their drug and substance abuse. Sometimes, a transition is important to help ease addicts slowly into society, and this is where sober living communities come in.
Before joining a sober living community, residents will usually have undergone a residential treatment program at a rehab and addiction treatment center. Once they are done with this program, all they need to do is transition from the inpatient program, usually offered by a center like Harris house, to sober living St Charles MO if they live in Missouri, or to a sober living community near them.
Sober living communities continue providing the support their residents need to stay sober in a safe and secure environment. In this environment, there is no alcohol or drugs to tempt the residents.
Sober living communities also provide lessons on healthy living and coping while allowing residents to continue attending therapy sessions and 12-step meetings if they so wish. This type of structure is also important for addicts to sever relationships with friends and family who might be a source of temptation for them.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment options are great for those who feel like they have a strong enough support system to help them overcome their addiction and remain drug-free. In this arrangement, addicts can stay at home and continue with their program. Outpatient treatment programs are also a great option for those who would not like to take too much time away from their families or work.
Outpatient treatment programs are the direct opposite of residential programs in that those getting treatment do not have to stay in the facility round the clock. They only have to visit the facility and meet with the team for two to three hours per session. Although clients do not have to live in these facilities, they still provide the same level of service to outpatient clients as they do to residents.
It is important to note that outpatient recovery does not have to involve a treatment facility. It is now possible to get the treatment you need right at home through an addiction specialist or a primary care physician. These are specialists qualified in providing long-term addiction help and treatment in-person or through telehealth visits.
The one thing to note is that getting treatment at home can be a lot harder if the environment is not good for a recovering addict. If there is easy access to drugs or alcohol, you may need to look for another option.
Partial Hospitalization or Day Treatment
This program is similar to the outpatient program but requires a bigger time commitment. As with the residential program, addicts receive the same detox, counseling, and withdrawal support they would get if they were permanent residents. This often happens during the day where addicts work with therapists, doctors, psychologists, and counselors.
In the evening, they may opt to attend a 12-step program, group meetings, life skill classes, or any other programs that support them throughout their recovery. Parents who have young kids or people who have obligations at work might find this option great for them.
Why Addiction Treatment is Effective
Addiction is a very complex disorder that affects and disrupts multiple aspects of an individual’s life. Because of its complexity, a multi-faceted approach is often used in its treatment. Some aspects of addiction treatment focus on drugs and alcohol use, while others focus on helping addicts deal with the reasons why they abuse drugs and alcohol. Lastly, treatment plans focus on teaching addicts the skills they require to get their lives on track, reconnect with their loved ones, and become productive members of society.
Basic skills taught during recovery include identifying and setting long-term goals, how to handle stressful situations, basic self-care, and healthy coping mechanisms.
Addiction is a very serious problem that leads to one feeling like they are in a trap they cannot get out of. With the different treatment programs and options now available, that is no longer true. The most important thing to do is pick a treatment option that works for you and stick with it, as well as the coping and life skills you are taught for the long term. By doing so, it is possible to live a drug-free life.
