There are numerous ways to beat a drug addiction — from electing to go “cold turkey” to opting for some form of treatment at outpatient rehab. Others opt for what has been shown to be the safest route for individuals having problems with substance use: an inpatient drug rehab center.
Going Cold Turkey or DIY Detox
People suffering from substance use disorder are always ill-advised to choose to detox alone. This is because some of the withdrawal effects associated with more potent drugs like heroin and other opiates can be extremely dangerous to the individual. Entering into a residential or inpatient drug rehab centers ensure they are supervised throughout the detox process by qualified medical professionals, preventing more serious withdrawal from becoming more complicated.
Outpatient Addiction Services
The primary benefit of outpatient care is that individuals are allowed to remain at home while they receive treatment. However, this is not suitable for some people, particularly if they have been abusing drugs for a prolonged period of time or are living or working in enabling environments. Outpatient addiction services are often made available to people leaving inpatient drug rehab as an extra support mechanism to help them in early recovery.
Inpatient Substance Rehab
There are significant benefits of inpatient alcohol rehab that serve to promote a healthy and long-term recovery from substance use disorder. The ten principal benefits of inpatient alcohol rehab are as follows:
Benefit 1: Structure
A residential drug treatment program immerses patients into a sober environment where the focus is entirely on their recovery journey. Around-the-clock support is available from addiction specialists so that individuals are fully supported if they begin to experience cravings or have concerns about potentially relapsing. Many people who have used drugs for a long period of time may have found their lives have descended into chaos and they can find considerable healing from the structure introduced by inpatient alcohol rehab.
Benefit 2: 24-7 Support
Recovering from addiction is an ongoing process that many will have to deal with for the rest of their lives. While attending rehab, patients can go through a myriad of feelings and emotions, which can be tough to handle while recovering from substance abuse. Indeed, people in outpatient programs often find themselves exposed to triggers for use or intense cravings for drugs or alcohol with much more frequency than those within the safe confines of inpatient alcohol treatment.
Benefit 3: No Access to Drugs or Alcohol
Many people start using drugs as a result of peer pressure or because they mix with people who regularly use drugs themselves. Inpatient rehab completely removes people from their familiar environments, placing them in a completely sober space where they can get the clarity their need to heal. Inpatients also encounter others combating addiction which can buoy their motivation in rehab and this support often extends beyond the center and into their lives in recovery.
Benefit 4: Supervision
It is impossible to predict how an individual will react to drug withdrawal. Much depends on how long they have been abusing substances and the drugs involved. Many people with addiction issues also have a co-existing mental health condition such as depression or anxiety, making inpatient rehab the most appropriate environment for treating both illnesses at the same time. Medical supervision throughout an individual’s treatment program is a significant benefit of inpatient care.
Benefit 5: No Negative Influences
Inpatient rehab facilities often restrict phone calls and closely monitor all contact with visitors. This is in order to protect the substance-free environment that is essential for the residential treatment of addiction. People with substance use disorder have likely become influenced negatively by others in the course of their drug-seeking. To ensure a healthy recovery after residential rehab, it is crucial that all negative influences are removed from the individual’s environment.
Benefit 6: Complete Focus on the Self
Inpatient rehab sets to allow individuals the opportunity to completely focus on themselves. This is often an exercise that requires guidance from a therapist, particularly as many people become “lost” to addiction. However, lifting the veil to reveal an optimistic future without drugs has been shown to provide a significant boost to motivation.
Benefit 7: New Friendships
A huge benefit of inpatient addiction treatment is that others at the facility share a common goal: to achieve sobriety. This creates an element of camaraderie among patients that is excellent for boosting self-confidence and increasing self-awareness. Some of the friendships formed in residential rehab last for years into recovery, many for a lifetime.
Benefit 8: Therapy Options
The majority of inpatient rehab centers offer a wide range of alternative therapy options such as holistic practices, experiential treatments, and complementary therapies. Many of these pursuits provide patients with effective coping skills for relapse prevention in recovery, which can make all the difference in the early days after leaving rehab.
Benefit 9: Balanced Diet
Good nutrition is extremely important in addiction treatment, particularly as people generally lack important vitamins and minerals when they have been abusing substances. Eating a balanced diet also acts as good protection against relapse as it builds mental and physical strength and improves clarity. Many inpatient centers offer nutritional education which can be invaluable for patients as part of the recovery process.
Benefit 10: Tools for Recovery
Inpatient rehab continues to offer support to individuals long after they have left the center. While in treatment, patients are taught some valuable tools they can implement in their daily lives to minimize cravings. The kind of tools people use to help them maintain sobriety include meditation, yoga and deep-breathing practices, which are just a few of the holistic tools taught in rehab centers.
Have you or a loved one experienced inpatient alcohol or drug rehab?
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