What Happens at an Inpatient Drug Rehab Program?

The Process and Treatment Methods of an Inpatient Drug Rehab Program

Addiction is a mental disorder that can affect anyone. According to a national survey conducted in 2016, 24.2 million people in the United States had substance use disorder in 2016, which amounts to 7.5 percent of the population. It is a disease that can get progressively worse if left untreated, like most chronic diseases. In this article, we will explore an inpatient drug rehab program as one of the effective methods of treating substance use disorder with long-term cessation as the goal. 

Learn more about inpatient drug rehab programs here.

What are The Core Elements of an Inpatient Drug Program?

An inpatient drug rehab program has all of the elements needed to get a person through the initial stages of recovery and prepared for long-term maintenance of addiction – since there is no specific cure for the disease, but there are effective ways to manage it.

So, what can you expect from a typical inpatient drug program, such as the programs that WhiteSands offers? The following outlines the general process of treatment at an inpatient drug rehabilitation center:

• You’ll be assessed – In order to properly approach the often-unique nature of each addiction case, new patients are assessed to determine not only the best treatment methods, but also their current health and any special needs they may have.
• You have a detox – The first inpatient drug rehab program that you’ll go through is a medical detox. This program is aimed at helping people who have become physically dependent on a drug, allowing for their symptoms to be dealt with in a safe manner. The medications used also reduce the severity of the symptoms.
• You will go through behavioral therapy – Therapy and counseling are essential in addiction treatment. For an inpatient drug rehab program to be successful, they must address the thinking and behavior that lead to the person abusing drugs or alcohol. It may also be necessary to be treated for a co-occurring mental disorder such as PTSD because other mental disorders may be the main cause of substance abuse. Therapy is often done in a mixture of individual and group therapy.
• You will prepare to leave rehab – Before leaving an inpatient drug rehabilitation center, you will learn the skills you need to cope with your stressors and how to go about preventing relapse. The addiction specialist on your case will assist you in any concerns you may have before leaving rehab, ensuring that you are prepared for a normal life again.
• Aftercare services – It may be beneficial to carry on with professional help through aftercare services such as sober living homes, halfway houses, and outpatient treatment programs.

Types of Therapeutic Programs

There are several options when it comes to the types of therapeutic programs in rehab. This is to accommodate for all types of people in rehab. They range from holistic treatment programs such as yoga to traditional, evidence-based programs that are used in most cases of addiction.

Traditional forms of treatment include the following:

• Family therapy – This helps to treat the family unit, helping to repair and strengthen bonds, and work through possible problems.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – This is perhaps the most used form of therapy that targets problematic behavior and patterns of thought that may contribute to a negative experience and substance abuse. Coping skills are taught to give the person the tools to overcome their triggers.
• Motivational interviewing – This form of therapy isn’t as intense as CBT as it goes at the patient’s pace. It helps the patient by motivating self-change.

Holistic forms of treatment include the following:

• Biofeedback
• Equine therapy
• Music and art therapy
• Exercise therapy
• Chiropractic care

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.