What is Inpatient Rehab?
Inpatient Rehab Centers are residential treatment facilities where patients can stay for extended periods ranging from thirty days to one year, depending on the severity of their mental health issues and addictions. Each inpatient program is different from the next. Some offer amenities that can compete with luxury resorts, whereas others have shared rooms accompanied by just a recreational area and cafeteria. Since no addiction is the same and all rehab centers are structured differently, it is important to know which kind of treatment center is best for the individual.
Trying to get sober on your own can be a dangerous undertaking, especially during the initial drug or alcohol detox phase. Aside from that, your probability for relapse increases exponentially if you choose not to seek help from addiction specialists. Whether one chooses an inpatient or an outpatient program, addiction treatment facilities provide a structured environment, accountability for your actions, around-the-clock medical attention, and many other services that are vital when you are on a path to recovery.
Differences Between Inpatient And Outpatient Programs
Inpatient and outpatient programs both offer critical care for patients in their time of need, but it is paramount to know which one is more tailored and better suited for you or a loved one seeking help for their addiction. In order to determine whether inpatient or outpatient treatment is the better choice for you, it is recommended that you meet in-person with a qualified professional to receive a diagnostic assessment. With that being said, here are some differences between the two treatment options:
- Inpatient programs tend to have a better success rate than outpatient programs.
- Inpatient programs are meant to treat severe addictions, whereas outpatient programs are intended to treat milder addictions and/or provide treatment for recovering users transitioning from an inpatient facility.
- Inpatient programs essentially remove all triggers and distractions from patients’ lives, while users in outpatient programs might continue to encounter these problems.
- Inpatient programs generally have around-the-clock medical and psychological treatment, whereas outpatient programs are normally more limited with their services.
- Outpatient programs tend to be more affordable, while inpatient programs can be more expensive.
- Patients temporarily reside at a rehab facility in inpatient programs, while patients receive treatment throughout the day and can go home afterward in outpatient programs.
Can I Stop Drugs On My Own?
Scientific evidence proves stopping drugs on your own can be extremely difficult. Brain imaging studies show that once someone is addicted to drugs their chemical makeup becomes altered, and one integral change occurs within the part of our brains that allows us to exhibit self-control. But as the addiction continues the change almost always intensifies. Repeated use exacerbates the problem, which is why it can be so hard to quit using drugs alone, and also why it is so crucial to seek help before it becomes too late.
If you are someone who has a difficult time resisting the urge to do drugs or is unable to stop using even if you wanted to or has faced serious consequences from drugs and still continues to use them, then inpatient rehab might be the best chance at recovery. However, if you are still unsure whether your problem is serious enough to require admitting yourself into an inpatient rehab program, here are some questions to consider:
- Do you constantly feel the urge to use drugs (or alcohol)?
- Have you ever tried quitting or cutting down on drugs but were unable to do so?
- Do you feel like you need to use drugs in order to have a good time?
- Have you ever used drugs because you were angry or sad?
- Have you ever taken drugs to help with the comedown of a different drug?
- Has using drugs ever damaged a relationship you had with someone else?
- Have you been arrested or admitted to the hospital because of your drug use?
If you answered yes to some or perhaps all of these questions, we highly recommend seeking the help of a licensed medical professional to help determine if inpatient or outpatient rehab is the best option for you.
Where Should I Start If/When I Need Help?
People often say the most important step in recovery is simply asking for help. Whether you choose to ask your doctor if they can provide a referral to a specialist—or if you confide in a family member about your addiction—or if you contact a rehabilitation center on your own; recovery will be next to impossible unless you take the first step. Sobriety can feel like an endless road ahead, but treatment truly does work and people recover from serious addictions every day.
It takes an admirable deal of self-reflection, bravery, and courage to ask for help. Many people don’t categorize addiction with other chronic diseases, but that is exactly how it should be treated. Addiction is disruptive to the normal functioning of the brain, and treatment helps counteract that in several different ways. Similar to other chronic diseases, treatment can be a great help to successfully manage drug or alcohol addiction. But first, it’s critical that you review the different addiction treatment options available and select one that’s best for you.
Finding An Inpatient Treatment Center
When it comes to finding inpatient treatment centers for substance use, there are many options out there, but it can be difficult knowing where to start. To receive advice on how to proceed with getting treatment, you can call 1-800-662-HELP, which is a hotline backed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
There are also several directories that will help put you in contact with physicians, addiction specialists, and other medical professionals that are in your local proximity. The American Board of Addiction Medicine and The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology are two notable directories with board-certified physicians and addiction psychiatrists that are readily available for those seeking treatment options.
Choosing An Inpatient Rehab Program
It is important that the approach to treatment is specifically tailored to each patient, as there are many factors to consider such as drug use patterns, medical issues, psychiatric needs, and cost of rehab treatment. Medical professionals who specialize in addiction are recommended for advisement on these options, but the National Institute of Drug Addiction (NIDA) outlines five important questions to ask when finding the right treatment program:
- Does the treatment center use methods and practices supported by scientific evidence?
- Does the rehab program specify treatment to the needs of individual patients?
- Does the treatment provided by the program adjust to the changing needs of their patients?
- Is the patient’s time spent in treatment sufficient for recovery?
- What role do 12-step and other recovery programs serve while receiving treatment for drug addiction?
To reiterate, outpatient programs can make it possible for patients to continue with their daily routines and responsibilities, but there are many cases where inpatient programs might offer the best chance at recovery. Each addiction is different, so one must be careful when selecting the most beneficial treatment option.
What To Expect At An Inpatient Rehabilitation Center
With every treatment option, the first step is detoxing so the patient can cleanse and remove all drugs from their system. When someone first stops taking drugs after developing a dependency, there are a variety of possible withdrawal symptoms. However, rehabilitation centers are extremely experienced in assisting patients to get through this process. Here is a list including common emotional and physical symptoms of drug/alcohol withdrawal:
- Depression
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Vomiting
- Night sweats
- Muscle weakness
After a patient has detoxed from the drugs in their system, addiction specialists including doctors, therapists, and nurses are available onsite at inpatient treatment centers to help them work through their rehabilitation and recovery. As is true with many inpatient programs, specialists can work collaboratively as a team to help ensure patients heal from their addictions.
Not The First Time In Rehab?
Relapse can oftentimes play a significant role in a patient’s recovery process, so if you are someone who has been through a treatment program prior, that alone shouldn’t deter you from trying to get help again. In fact, addiction relapse is common and its rates are comparable to those of other chronic diseases. Treatment for addiction and other chronic diseases can necessitate one to change deep-rooted behaviors about themselves, which occasionally means relapse can be a stepping-stone to recovery.
Relapsing on drugs does not mean the treatment failed. Those who have previously gone to inpatient programs have the advantage of already being equipped with skills that can help them overcome their addiction. Although relapse is never the desired outcome, it can often lead to uncovering and resolving issues that ultimately lead to recovery from addiction.
What If People End Up Finding Out?
It should be noted that nothing is more vital than seeking help when you are suffering from drug addiction, but most users would prefer others not to find out, especially in settings like work, school, or amongst friend circles. As for informing your employer, you can inform your work that you are going on medical leave. When it comes to telling your friends, each situation can differ, but seeking help for addiction treatment requires immense strength and there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed about.
The law requires doctors and addiction professionals to keep your medical records confidential from everyone outside of the healthcare system. The only exception to this is when a medical professional believes you are either a danger to yourself or others—in which case they might be allowed to disclose pertinent information with your immediate family members.
Using Drugs and Alcohol To Cure Depression: If I Stop Then What Will Happen?
Drug addiction and depression can often go hand-in-hand. There are cases where users take drugs to self-medicate from their symptoms of depression, whereas others can develop depression as a result of their extensive drug use over time. The dual diagnosis of drug addiction and depression is also extremely common. You should always be honest about your depression when talking to addiction specialists so they are better able to help you receive the correct treatment.
There are many different medications that are non-addictive which can help with depression during your dual diagnosis treatment. If you are suffering from drug addiction and depression at the same time, it can be very beneficial to receive treatment for both simultaneously. If you ever come to a point where you feel so depressed that you are thinking about hurting yourself, you can call 1- 800-273-TALK (8255) to reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline and discuss your troubles with someone waiting on the other line.
Where Can I Find More Information On Inpatient Treatment Programs?
There are a variety of credible resources available online where you can find insightful information on drug addiction, treatment, and recovery. Whether you are seeking help for a loved one, or need help for you, becoming more knowledgeable about drug addiction is invaluable. Below are reputable resources that are accessible online:
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
This list isn’t exhaustive by any means, but they are all excellent sources of wealth for starting your research on drug addiction and recovery. If you are seeking help for addiction, it should never be advised to fight it on your own. Sometimes asking a friend or a loved one for help can open all the doors you need to receive treatment and help.
Closing Thoughts on Inpatient Rehabilitation
The idea of fully committing to receiving treatment at an inpatient rehab program can be daunting, to say the least, but it can also be a decision that ultimately saves your life or the life of a loved one. Having medical experts create a tailored plan for your recovery and gaining an understanding of how drug addiction affects you can be the most life-changing decision one ever makes.
There is never a bad time to ask for help, but it goes without saying how dangerous it is to wait until it is too late. Not only do inpatient rehabilitation programs have high success rates, but they are also built upon helping those with drug addiction and/or mental health issues. If you were suffering from another chronic disease such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer…refusing to seek treatment would be out of the question. Drug addiction should be treated in the same exact manner.
Sources:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/treatment
https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/treatment/inpatient-rehab/