What are Types of Drug Rehab Facilities?

Treatment for addiction is available in two basic forms, i.e., on an outpatient basis or as a resident at a treatment center specializing in addiction treatment.

Outpatient Behavioral Health Treatment

If you have a drug or alcohol problem and cannot be away for long periods of time solely for inpatient addiction treatment, outpatient behavioral health treatment may be your best choice. Outpatient treatment was developed as an alternative to the standard residential treatment program. Included in outpatient therapy is the treatment for the addiction, as well as counseling and help with daily living.

While outpatient treatment facilities are all designed to help the individual trying to quit alcohol or drugs, they may differ in the types of treatment they offer. Many include some or all of the following:

• Treatment for the addiction – whether alcoholism or drugs
• Incorporation of 12-step programs
• Sober living facilities
• Relapse prevention

The purpose of drug rehab is to get the person to stop the addictive behavior, understand and address the underlying causes for the behavior, and gradually learn how to change old patterns and habits that helped fuel the addiction.

In order to be accepted into an outpatient treatment program, there are certain requirements that generally must be met. You must:

• Accept responsibility for your drug and/or alcohol problem and all actions associated with it
• Express a genuine willingness to attend counseling several times a week
• Completely abstain from drugs or alcohol at least 72 hours prior to entering the outpatient treatment program
• Not previously been a participant in an outpatient treatment program
• If you cannot or do not meet these criteria, you are probably better suited for inpatient or residential care treatment.

Inpatient Behavioral Health Treatment

As the name implies, inpatient (or residential) drug rehab involves entering a specialized facility for the purpose of overcoming addiction. Staff members are all professional, certified counselors and case managers who use the latest assessment tools and advanced treatment protocols. Lengths of stay in residential treatment facilities vary and are flexible, depending on the individual client or patient’s needs. In other words, how long you stay in treatment depends on the length and severity of your drug addiction.

It’s important to recognize that inpatient services are typically provided by a licensed hospital or addiction recovery center. Residential treatment facilities, on the other hand, may not have the same stringent requirements or standards of medical care.

The course of treatment is intensive and involves a multifaceted approach. Each treatment facility has its own treatment array, but all include one-on-one counseling, group therapy, educational discussions and lectures, relapse prevention, and sessions or counseling based on an individual’s needs on a case-by-case basis. Many include some or all of the following:

• Initial assessment or evaluation
• The treatment plan developed for the individual
• Individual counseling
• Group therapy
• Educational groups for drug and alcohol use
• Process groups
• Groups that are gender-specific
• Activities for post-graduate clients
• Planning for transition and aftercare
• Short- and long-term structured aftercare planning
• Weekly family events
• Lifetime aftercare planning
• Court liaison and/or early release for drug and alcohol offenders

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