Inpatient Drug Rehab
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Drug rehabilitation is a multi-faceted,
multi-phase, long-term process. Although detoxification is a critical part of the rehab process, detox
is simply the first phase in the drug rehab protocol.
Stated differently, successful detoxification by itself is necessary but not sufficient enough
to elicit positive change in the overall behavioral patterns manifested by an addict.
Indeed, recovery from drug addiction involves an extended process that typically necessitates
the comprehensive assistance of competent drug addiction professionals.
Inpatient drug rehab is one of many different treatment methodologies whose ultimate goal
for drug addicts is long-term, successful abstinence from drug abuse. In order for this to take place,
addicts need to equip themselves with new tools, techniques, and strategies to help them function more responsibly
and more effectively in society as they lead drug-free lives.
Inpatient Drug Abuse Rehabilitation
Inpatient drug addiction facilities offer medications, counseling, structure, education, medical assistance, and
support for drug addicts who seek help in dealing with their drug use and abuse.
Inpatients
reside "on location" for the full duration of the rehab treatment.
While the length of time required for successful drug rehab varies with the method employed, most quality drug
rehab programs last between 28 and 30 days and provide around-the-clock treatment 24 hours per day, 365 days per
year.
Why would a person select inpatient as opposed to outpatient drug rehab? According to the addiction
research literature, inpatient drug rehabilitation typically leads to longer-lasting abstinence and more successful
and effective drug addiction recovery.
The good news regarding quality inpatient, residential drug rehab treatment is this: addicts who fully
participate in residential drug rehab and who make good use of the situational, educational, and therapeutic tools
and training they receive are typically better able to re-enter society and lead more productive and more
responsible drug-free lives.
From a different perspective, inpatient, residential drug rehab is necessary under the following
conditions: if the individual's withdrawal symptoms are excessive, if support-based, outpatient methods such
as the different 12-step drug and alcohol programs are ineffective, if there's a need for drug AND alcohol abuse
treatment, or if an individual needs drug or alcohol overdose treatment, the person usually needs to enroll into a
residential drug rehab facility or into a hospital and receive inpatient rehab.
Such programs are typically targeted for drug inpatients and frequently include comprehensive
counseling, training, and education along with doctor-prescribed medications to help the substance abuser
successfully complete detox and overcome the associated drug-related withdrawal symptoms in a safe manner.
The Life of Inpatient Drug Rehab
While enrolled in inpatient drug rehab, patients hear lectures, attend classes, and participate in
individual, family, and group counseling. The activities are constructed to help addicts recognize that they
have a disease, educate abusers about drug addiction, and help them adapt to life without drugs.
Not only are drug addicts frequently introduced to self-help groups such as Narcotics Anonymous,
but family members many times get involved, too, and may be referred to Nar-Anon, a 12-step support program for
family members, relatives, and friends of addicts.
| Those who are drug dependent feel a need to abuse drugs consistently in order to
feel "normal," or to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Drug dependence can be
physical, psychological, or both. |
Drug Detoxification
One of the primary aspects of inpatient drug rehab involves the detoxification
process. Detoxification is the process of letting the body rid itself of drugs and poisons that remain in the
addict's body while managing and monitoring the withdrawal symptoms in a safe environment.
Drug detox treatment is usually done under the supervision of a medical doctor and is almost always
the first step employed in a drug rehab treatment program. Most detox protocols include closely monitoring the
individual's vital signs, doctor-prescribed medications, and therapeutic counseling and support.
Drug detox is actually a critical part in the rehab process for the following reasons: First,
as long as drugs remain in a person's body, withdrawal can trigger intense craving for more drugs.
Second, and equally as important, while a person is in a drug-induced state, he or she is not
completely ready to involve himself or herself in the therapeutic, educational, and counseling components of the
rehab procedure. In short, until a person successfully goes through the detox process, he or she is clearly
unprepared for drug rehabilitation.
Another important consideration of detox treatment is this: Due to the relatively long time frame
and the necessary medical monitoring involved in this process, detoxification programs are more often than not a
part of an inpatient, residential drug rehab program.
| Although the term “addiction” is often used in reference to alcohol or drug
addiction, it also applies to other compulsions such as, uncontrollable overeating, obsessive sex,
compelling Internet use, uncontrollable gambling, an obsessive need for love, and a neurotic desire
for porn. |
Inpatient Drug Rehab Programs
A fairly thorough review of the different programs that are available at different drug and alcohol
rehabilitation centers leads to an impressive list of wide-ranging rehab programs to say the least. The point
in mentioning this is that all of the following programs have inpatient treatment options that represent the core
of each approach:
- Teen only programs (age 13 - 19).
- Men only programs.
- Faith-based treatment (for instance, Christian and Jewish-oriented therapies).
- Specific programs for different drugs (such as crystal meth, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and alcohol
as well as prescription drugs such as vicodin, percocet, oxycontin, and darvocet).
- Sober living home programs.
- Teen boot camps.
- Holistic approaches (with a focus on customizing the treatment for the whole person).
- Multiple disorder programs (for people with a number of "problems" such as drug addiction, eating
disorders, alcoholism, sex and love addictions, etc.).
- Non 12-step programs (treatment approaches that focus on a non 12-step methodology including education,
individual counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, and FDA approved doctor prescribed
medications.
- Teen wilderness programs.
- GLBT programs (programs for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender persons, and transsexuals).
- Mature adult programs (over age 55).
- Young adult programs (ages 18 - 27)
- 12-step programs (based on the Alcoholics Anonymous model).
- Suboxone programs (programs employing FDA approved medications for the treatment of opiate
dependence).
- Programs by various States and regions.
- High-profile-people programs (offering full amenities such as a daily massage, a scenic, enjoyable view,
yoga and life coach, and a private room).
- Women only programs.
- Dual diagnosis programs (addicts who struggle with both mental illness and substance abuse).
- Adolescent programs (age 12 - 20).
- Relapse prevention.
| Message to drug addicts. Don't just sit there and think things are going to
get better. Addiction doesn't get better. It gets worse until somebody dies. You need to take
appropriate action by getting professional treatment and you need to take action now! |
Inpatient Drug Rehab: Conclusion
Inpatient drug rehab is a comprehensive treatment approach whose ultimate goal for substance abusers is
long-lasting and effective abstinence from drug abuse. In order for this to occur, drug addicts need to arm
themselves with new techniques, strategies and tools to enable them to re-enter society and lead more responsible
and more successful drug-free lives.
Inpatient drug abuse rehab centers offer education, medical assistance, counseling, structure, support, and
medications for drug addicts who seek assistance in coping with their substance abuse. One of the key
treatment programs intrinsic to inpatient rehab programs is the drug detoxification process.
The importance of the detox protocol is this: until an individual effectively completes the detox
procedure, he or she is plainly ill prepared for drug rehab. So why is inpatient rehab so important regarding
the detox procedure?
Simply this: due to the required around-the-clock medical monitoring involved in this process and also
because of the relatively long amount of time necessary to complete the entire procedure, drug detoxification is
almost always a critical part of a residential, inpatient drug rehab program.
| Depending on the drug to which the substance abuser is addicted, rapid detox
typically occurs in a hospital or detox facility where the addict is anesthetized for 4 to 6 or
even up to 48 hours—-enough time to eliminate most of the drugs from the addict's system. |
| Family members often deny or minimize drug addiction problems and unwittingly
contribute to the continuation of drug abuse by well-meaning behaviors such as shielding the addict
from adverse consequences of abuse or taking over family or economic responsibilities. |
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