Substance Abuse Inpatient
Substance Abuse Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment: What to Expect from
You know you need treatment for substance abuse but the thought of entering inpatient rehab can be scaryscary enough to stop you from getting the help you need. This article will help you learn what to expect from inpatient substance abuse treatment.
Admission
When you enter an inpatient facility an intake counselor will evaluate you to start creating an effective treatment plan. He or she will inquire about your medical history and ask questions about addictive behaviors. He or she will likely ask about other disorders which will also require attention such as depression or anxiety. An intake counselor may also ask about criminal records and treatment history. Remember that honest answers will help the counselor tailor a rehabilitation plan designed to work for you.
During admission you may also talk to a financial counselor about insurance coverage or payment options. Additionally you might receive a tour of the facility and the grounds. Be aware that your belongings may be searched to ensure there are no substances being brought into the treatment center.
Supervised detoxification
Before the process of healing the mind can begin an addict first needs to flush addictive substances from the body. This process known as detoxification detox for short will be monitored by a team of medical professionals. Symptoms of withdrawal vary depending on the drug which was abused. They may include symptoms such as restlessness pain diarrhea and severe vomiting. Even when withdrawal doesn't trigger physical symptoms it can still prompt intense emotions such as anxiety or depression.
In addition medical staff may administer fluids and electrolytes to combat the dehydrating effects of vomiting and diarrhea. If needed they may also administer anti-seizure medication. If you have an addiction to heroin the doctor might prescribe a drug such as methadone to replace the heroin craving. Some programs however advocate drug-free withdrawal rather than replacing one drug with another.
The time spent in detox will vary depending on the type of drug abused the intensity of the addiction and the patient's physical condition. In general expect to spend from a few days up to two weeks detoxifying your body.
Rapid detoxification programs are also available. These treatments use certain medications to flush drugs from the system quickly. Because the patient is under anesthesia during the procedure he or she will not experience typical withdrawal symptoms. There are risks involved in this process so consider carefully whether this treatment is right for you.
Therapy
After a supervised detox has cleansed the body of toxins the work of changing behavior begins. Research shows that inpatient care and the therapy which comes with itis often the most successful type of rehabilitation program for addicts. This is especially true for those who've already experienced multiple relapses in the past.
Therapy will help you understand the role of personal responsibility in your addictive behavior. Additionally counseling helps addicts cope with unhealthy stress and past trauma which might prompt self-medication. Therapeutic sessions will also help you learn new coping skills and manage your addiction in order to minimize the risk of relapse
The substance abuse rehab team may use techniques based in cognitive behavior therapy also called CBT. These methods first used to treat disorders like anxiety and depression can help you identify the emotions and underlying beliefs which first caused you to turn to drugs or alcohol. CBT also teaches practical coping skills which you can use when those old emotions emerge.
During group therapy a small group of patients will share their successes as well as their failures. This provides an opportunity for you to learn from others living with similar challenges. Others can also learn from the experiences you share.
Additional activities
Along with therapy inpatient centers may offer activities to accommodate a variety of needs. Teen addicts might attend classes while young adults might participate in teamwork-building exercises or trust-generating adventures. Patients might also be able to engage in fitness activities. Exercise can help reduce stress enhance mood and improve sleep each of which is important for an addict.
Discharge
Therapy is a long-term process which doesn't end the moment you leave the substance and alcohol abuse treatment center. You'll work closely with your therapist to plan relapse prevention strategies. He or she may also help you set up appointments with other counselors as well as direct you to support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. After care programs may provide help with financial planning living arrangementsincluding sober livingand goal setting.
When it comes to recovering your sobriety don't let your fear of the unknown prevent you from seeking the treatment you deserve. Now that you have a better idea of what an inpatient rehabilitation program looks like you can be confident in choosing a substance abuse treatment facility which is able to guide you down a drug-free path.
