With millions and millions of people currently suffering from emotional and physical health issues associated with drug abuse, one would think that we have taken great strides in providing drug abuse treatment to our citizens. Sadly, that is not the case, as a large majority of those who struggle with drug addiction never obtain the professional help they need to overcome their condition.
The good news, however, is that for those lucky enough to find their way into a drug abuse treatment program, the future looks bright. These life-saving programs are particularly adept at helping individuals stop their drug use and learn how to maintain sobriety for years to come.
The following is a review of the different types of drug abuse treatment programs currently available, and how they help those in need defeat both the physical and psychological components of addiction.
If you, or someone you love, is currently suffering from a drug abuse problem, this is some of the most valuable information you will ever read.
Different Types of Drug Abuse Treatment Centers
Residents of the United States are lucky, in that they have a number of different treatment center options available to help them break the drug abuse cycle. There are treatment centers that offer different living arrangements, as well as those that work with a specific type of person. Choosing the right one is essential if the individual is to receive the most appropriate, high levels of care to meet their needs.
Currently, the most popular types of drug abuse treatment centers are:
- Residential drug abuse treatment centers. These facilities offer individuals a place where they leave the stress and temptation found in their daily livee behind, and come to a safe place where the only thing they need to focus on is their recovery.
- Outpatient drug abuse treatment centers. Outpatient care is designed for those who are able to (or must) live in their home environment during treatment. With outpatient rehab, the individual attends treatment during the day, but then returns home (or to a sober living facility) in the evening.
- Dual diagnosis drug abuse treatment centers. Individuals who are suffering from a mental health problem (such as depression or bi-polar disorder) and a co-occurring substance abuse problem are referred to as a dual diagnosis patient. These men and women have a number of different issues – many of which can be difficult to diagnose (or may even make each other worse). Dual diagnosis rehab centers maintain a staff that includes both addiction treatment professionals and psychologists – who work together to provide comprehensive care for the individual.
- Teen drug abuse treatment centers. Teenagers and adolescents have very specific needs in terms of their substance abuse treatment. Young people use drugs for reasons that are far different than adults. The most effective teen rehab programs are well versed in these causational factors and therefore have the best chance at helping young people regain control of their lives.
- Drug abuse treatment centers for women. Many women do not get the drug abuse treatment help they need simply because they are concerned about their own physical safety at a mainstream facility. Gender-specific rehab centers for women alleviate this issue by admitting only women, and speaking to the issues that affect them most.
The Core Elements of Drug Abuse Treatment
As a field of study, addiction treatment is still growing. That means there are new methods of substance abuse rehab being developed everyday. And although every treatment center is different in terms of how they embrace these new modalities, there are three components to treatment that can be found at almost every facility: detox, counseling and aftercare.
- Detox. Detoxification is the first crucial step towards organized recovery. Detox is the process of allowing harmful drug toxins to leave the body so that the individual can begin to function without the aid of these substances. Detox can be challenging, as the individual will likely experience a number of withdrawal symptoms during the process that can be so uncomfortable that they may lead to relapse.
- Counseling. Once an individual completes the detox process, they are ready (stable enough) to begin counseling and therapy. Counseling is the means by which professional treatment centers get to the heart of why an individual abuses drugs. During these sessions, individuals learn how to respond to “triggers” in a healthier way, and develop the decision-making skills required to live a sober life.
- Aftercare. The final piece of the treatment puzzle is aftercare. Aftercare programs are the means by which the individual maintains sobriety post-treatment. There are a number of different types of aftercare, including sober living homes, 12-step group meetings and follow-up counseling at the rehab center.
Paying for Drug Abuse Treatment
Drug addiction can take a heavy financial toll on a family. Many times, the individual with the addiction or drug abuse problem will literally loot the family savings in order to support her habit. Also, many people lose their jobs as a result of drug abuse – putting them in even greater financial peril. The bad news is that many residential drug abuse treatment centers can cost thousands of dollars per month to attend. The good news is that facilities are now more likely to offer financing to their patients in order to ease the burden. Also, major health insurance companies are now offering more coverage than ever for addiction treatment. Finally, outpatient drug abuse treatment centers offer top-quality care at a fraction of the cost of residential rehab.
How Long does Drug Rehab Take to Complete?
Most drug abuse rehab programs last between one and three months. That time is needed in order to really help change the behavior of the addicted individual. Nobody should feel rushed when engaging in drug abuse treatment. For more serious addictions, there are also long-term drug treatment programs that can last a year or longer. These programs are designed to help individuals who have serious relapse issues, or have become a danger to themselves and others as a result of their condition.
