How does rehab work?
Rehabs are structured treatment programs aimed at helping those struggling with addiction. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are complex problems and there are various types of treatment programs available to help.1 Rehab can help those with SUDs work toward a healthy, happy, and sober lifestyle.
What happens in addiction rehab?
In many instances, addiction rehabs are somewhat flexible in their treatment offerings, which may be tailored to the needs of each individual. Rehab often involves some combination of detoxification (detox), group and individual substance use therapy, relapse prevention education, and aftercare planning prior to program completion in order to help people maintain long-term sobriety.1,2
What is detox?
An important early part of many addiction rehab efforts is detox. During detox, the body rids itself of the toxic influences of drugs or alcohol.1,2, While the detox experience will vary greatly based on the specific type and frequency of substance used, many substance withdrawal syndromes can be unpleasant, if not dangerous.1,2,4 Proper treatment in a medically supervised detox program can alleviate the discomfort and mitigate some of the risks associated with withdrawal.
What is substance abuse therapy?
Rehab continues with various behavioral therapeutic interventions after detox is complete. Individuals in rehab participate in group and/or individual therapy sessions to recognize and address the underlying causes of their addiction.2-4 Treatment programs also educate individuals on how to identify high-risk situations and triggers and develop relapse prevention skills to maintain sobriety.
What is aftercare?
As a person progresses with recovery and nears the end of a rehab treatment program, staff will work with the patient to develop an appropriate aftercare plan. This may include some combination of support groups, ongoing therapy, and sober living arrangements, if needed.
How long does rehab take?
There isn’t always a set treatment duration that applies to everyone when it comes to rehabilitation. Many rehab facilities offer 30-day programs.
However, some individuals benefit from longer treatment programs, such as 60-day, 90-day, or even longer-term residential treatment to further develop and maintain a steady recovery path.3,5 When determining the appropriate length of treatment, treatment professionals will take into consideration the history and severity of the addiction; specific substances used; any co-occurring medical, mental, or behavioral health conditions; any previous treatment experiences; and the physical, mental, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual needs of the individual.
When determining the appropriate length of treatment, treatment professionals will take into consideration the history and severity of the addiction; specific substances used; any co-occurring medical, mental, or behavioral health conditions; any previous treatment experiences; and the physical, mental, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual needs of the individual.
Research shows that most people dealing with substance use need to be in treatment at least 3 months to considerably reduce or stop their drug use and that longer involvement in treatment often brings the best outcomes.8 For some, longer programs afford them the opportunity to focus on the root causes and behaviors behind the addiction and more time to practice sober living behaviors.
Does rehab cure addiction?
As with many chronic conditions, though there might not be an outright cure for addiction, it can be managed effectively.1,3 Regardless of any treatment duration, drug and alcohol addiction recovery doesn’t conclude after the patient completes a rehabilitation program. For many, recovery from substance use is an ongoing, lifelong process. Managing an addiction requires hard work and dedication as a person learns how to navigate through daily life without drugs and alcohol.
Addiction Rehab vs. Recovery?
Rehab helps people learn how to cope with drug cravings and get through those tough times when the temptation to relapse is strong. It can also teach people skills to prepare for the day-to-day struggles of recovering from addiction and how to address the people or situations that may have contributed to or exacerbated the substance problem in the first place.
Long-term recovery, however, may involve ongoing counseling or therapy in individual and/or group form, along with the attendance of 12-step or other support group meetings.1,2 Some individuals find additional activities to be key for supporting their ongoing recovery. These activities may include meditation, yoga, exercise, or art.
Many good treatment programs offer their own types of aftercare programs or work with you to develop a solid aftercare plan prior to leaving treatment to help support successful long-term recovery.
What happens if I relapse?
Relapse should not be viewed as a failure but should instead be seen as an obstacle to overcome on one’s lifelong journey to sobriety.6 It provides an opportunity to reassess one’s path and get back into a program that offers the support and help needed to maintain sobriety.
Many people who are struggling with addiction undergo more than one course of professional treatment before they are able to find their footing in their recovery journey.6 Ultimately, the only person who can manage your addiction in the long term is you, and rehab will help you build the skills necessary to maintain sobriety.
How much does rehab cost?
Addiction rehabilitation programs can vary greatly in price. High-end luxury programs tend to charge more for extra services and special amenities and, in some cases, higher staff to patient ratios.
Several factors can affect the cost of rehab, including:
- Amenities provided. These can include many factors that aid the recovery process, such as gourmet food, private rooms, animal-assisted therapy, acupuncture, massage, and yoga.
- Length of program. The cost associated with a treatment program is primarily determined by the length of the stay. During your intake session, a counselor will discuss the amount of time recommended in treatment for your best shot at long-term recovery.
- Location. Facilities in luxurious surroundings can cost more than traditional treatment centers. Travel to the facility can also be factored into the cost, especially if it is far from home.
- Type of program. Inpatient programs will often cost more than outpatient programs since patients reside at the facility which, in many cases, is staffed with medical and treatment professionals at all times.
Inpatient treatment varies in cost between $200 and $900 per day, with longer programs generally costing less per day. Outpatient treatment ranges between $100 and $500 per treatment session, with longer treatment plans having lower cost per session. Detox alone can cost between $600 and $1,000 per day depending on the level of care needed, severity of the addiction, and length of time it takes to detox from the particular substance.7
All of these costs may seem daunting, but one must consider the cumulative costs that an ongoing addiction will potentially incur.