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The decision to attend a residential alcohol treatment centre can be a difficult one to make, but it may be the ideal place to seek treatment, depending upon the circumstances.
Individuals who attend a residential facility may improve their chances of remaining sober long-term, compared to those solely undergoing treatment in a primary care (home) based setting.
Each medical healthcare centre has its own set of treatment options, rules, and expected outcomes, so it is vital to make sure the programme that you have chosen is one that will fit your personal recovery goals.
There are several main types of residential programmes some of which are only a week for initial detox, while others can be up to 12 months. [2]
The most popular choice is 28 days long and covers detox, therapy, and treatment medications.
Residential programmes will include treatments that are able to address mental and physical issues that have been caused by substance abuse.
These include behavioural counselling, prescription medications, group therapy sessions, and additional treatments. There are even niche facilities that are spiritual-based or involve more creative and artistic therapy options.
There are multiple programmes and treatment alternatives. The most cost-effective options are not always the ones that will be the most successful. [1]
It is essential to make sure that you choose the right programme for you and your needs. The additional money spent will be saved in the long run by allowing you to return to your life without being forced to handle the effects of withdrawal alone.
You will be given coping mechanisms during mandatory one-one-one therapy, making it easier to overcome stressful scenarios once withdrawal treatment is complete. Below are the most common types of clinic programmes.
An in-patient or residential programme takes place entirely within the facility. It can last anywhere from a few weeks to a whole year, depending on the severity of the substance abuse and any complications due to dual diagnosis. [2] There is a wide variety of therapy and treatments that are offered. Some programmes are holistic, others are very focused, and you want to make sure that whatever outcome you are looking for is something that aligns with the goals and treatments of the residential facility you choose.
Due to a lack of resources or financial instability, some people choose to only attend a programme during the worst stages of withdrawal, which is the initial detox when the body is ridding itself of the toxins and trying to recover from long-term abuse. This is usually one of the cheapest options that are not entirely outpatient. There is 24/7 medical support provided. One of the drawbacks of a detox only rehab programme is that you will then have to work through the following weeks or months of withdrawal without the motivation and support of a team behind you. Before attending detox, it is essential to make plans for your aftercare. While this is one of the more affordable options, it often results in relapse for individuals who have intense withdrawal symptoms. [2]
If an individual has very mild symptoms and a healthy support system (e.g., friends, family, or established therapy outside the treatment programme) then they may choose to do a partial hospitalization where the detox period is monitored. Afterward, they may spend the weekdays at the facility undergoing treatment and attending check-ins and therapy sessions while not staying overnight. [4] This is usually only used as an option for people who make steady progress during the entirety of their recovery. Partial hospitalization may turn into an in-patient situation if there are mental or physical complications.
The primary goal of a residential treatment facility is to help individuals be able to cope with life without relapsing. There will be the detox period during which the addictive substances are entirely purged from your system.
The focus will then turn to get you back to being mentally and physically healthy. Depending on how long the substance abuse lasted, there may be many steps towards recovery.
There will be one-on-one and group therapy sessions that are designed to bring clarity and provide healthy coping mechanisms. Learning to identify and positively channel emotions is a large part of this therapy.
There are multiple types that are available, including the following most popular therapy options:
There are usually some medications that are used to stave off the worst of the withdrawal symptoms so that you can fully take advantage of the therapy.
Also, scheduled nutritional meals and a set sleep schedule will help give your body time to rest and recover as well.
Being addicted to a substance has significant effects on hormones and the body’s system as a whole, so it may take some time for it to be able to heal from the damage.
Residential medical teams know exactly what to provide to make sure this happens as efficiently as possible.
These treatments ensure that your physical, mental, and spiritual needs are met. While they include the more traditional cognitive-behavioural, they also tend to include more niche treatment like the following:
The residential programme will have a team of highly trained medical professionals who will provide you with resources to make your withdrawal and recovery as undemanding as possible.
One of the things they will go over with you during your intake interview is the treatment plan for your stay.
Every individual’s journey through substance abuse is different, so they are going to work with you to create the perfect set of goals and treatments to make sure that no matter what your history or mental state, you will have the best chances at success.
This treatment plan will go over what you can expect from the programme, a timeline, and also, you will work on setting up aftercare expectations for when you go home.
How long you spend in the programme of your choice will entirely depend on the severity of withdrawal symptoms and mental recovery speed.
Generally, the longer you spend addicted to a substance, the longer it will take for your body and mind to find balance again through treatment.
The most common timeline involves spending the first-day providing information to the medical team and creating a tailored plan for your recovery.
Then a 7 to 10 days of detox followed by several weeks to several months of therapy and, if necessary, prescribed medication. The most common residential programme is 28 to 30 days in length.
The primary advantages of residential treatment are constant medical supervision, which can make the whole thing more comfortable, and the fact that there are no temptations within the facility.
Instead of having to fight off relapse triggers constantly, you are set in a structured environment specifically designed to give you the best opportunity at long-term sobriety.
One of the areas of the treatment plan that you will have devised with the intake medical team’s help involves aftercare resources.
When you return to your home and are surrounded by the same influences, people, places, and situations that played a part in substance abuse, it can be stressful.
During residential rehab, there is a set schedule, everything is tightly controlled to give you the greatest chance at long-term sobriety, but outside of the facility, there will be a lot of unexpected situations that may trigger cravings and defeatist thoughts.
Having a support structure in place will make that transition easier and provide a safe space for continued recovery.
One of the areas of the treatment plan that you will have devised with the intake medical team's help involves aftercare resources. When you return to your home and are surrounded by the same influences, people, places, and situations that played a part in the substance abuse, it can be stressful. During residential rehab, there is a set schedule, everything is tightly controlled to give you the greatest chance at long-term sobriety, but outside of the facility, there will be a lot of unexpected situations that may trigger cravings and defeatist thoughts. Having a support structure in place will make that transition easier and provide a safe space for continued recovery.
Most rehab centres will allow family therapy opportunities. This is an excellent way to repair relationships that may have been strained due to substance abuse. Having family and loved ones ready to help you transition from the residential treatment back to your work, school, and other life responsibilities will be helpful. They can be a pillar of strength during the initial recovery when the worst of the psychological issues will trigger cravings, and the risk of relapse is still high. Many aftercare plans will include continued one-on-one and family therapy.
Family is an excellent foundation of support, but having people who not only understand what you are going through but can entirely relate with all of your ups and downs is invaluable. There are many self-help groups and community-based resources like 12-step programmes that can be there to bring you relief and encouragement. Finding a local support group and then staying consistent with attending meetings can help you to create new, healthy habits. You will be able to share your successes and struggles with people who fully understand the weight of them. This understanding will make recovery easier.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1360883/
[2] https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/drug-addiction-treatment-in-united-states/types-treatment-programs
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6114033/
[4] https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/treatment
[5] https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction
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