Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

There are several different types of substance abuse treatment programs available.  Each offers different and unique approach to treating drug addiction. Outlined below are several of the most standard methods of rehabilitation for drug addiction.

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Outpatient Care

This form of care uses a broad verity of techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, problem-solving groups, and 12-step programs. Similar to long-term residential programs, individuals possibly will stay for several months. Outpatient programs have a low success rate with heavily addicted individuals. Those who moderately abuse drugs or alcohol may find that this form of care is enough to end their drug abuse problems.

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Inpatient Short-Term Rehabilitation

This type of treatment program is different from other types of programs. Individuals who attend an inpatient short-term rehab center are provided with substance abuse treatment for approximately 30 days. Typically this form of recovery is run by medical professionals and trained counselors. The primary focus of inpatient, short-tem rehabilitation is on medical stabilization, abstinence, and lifestyle changes. Care at an inpatient short-term rehab provides the individual with concentrated but short (hence the name) help that is primarily founded in a modified 12-step approach.

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Inpatient Long-Term Rehabilitation

Care at an inpatient long-term residential program is provided 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Drug addiction recovery in a residential community consists of counselors and others who are attending the same program. This type of rehabilitation program typically runs anywhere from several months to a year or more. Residential care is conducted in non-clinical settings, which are also known as therapeutic communities. These types of programs may also include additional aspects to their treatment strategies such as social education.

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The Psychiatric Approach

Using psychiatric medication is another form of care given individuals with drug addictions. Medications such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and Lithium are used to help the recovering addict. Many drug rehab facilities believe in dual diagnosis, (mental illness, drug addiction and/or alcoholism in various combinations). In some rare cases, this may lead mentally sound individuals into taking anti-depressants and anti-psychotics that may not be necessary. However, where warranted a diagnosis of comorbidity (multiple disorders) may be needed for the patient to obtain sufficient care to enable him or her to better function in society.

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