Understanding Your Options: Examining the Types of Treatment Centers

When you hear the word rehab, you likely think of certain movies, tv shows, or maybe even specific celebrities. Maybe you think of a loved one that has chosen to commit to their recovery by signing themselves into a facility.

It’s also possible that you’re considering treatment centers and are desperately searching for answers about which type to pick.

No matter the reason behind your curiosity, we have gathered a list of the types of drug rehabilitation programs.

Keep reading for more information!

Detox is NOT Rehab

Going to a medical detox facility is not the same as going to a treatment center. Oftentimes detox units give care for physical withdrawals. These symptoms can range from three days to one week.

These units are not meant to be a drug rehab. They do usually offer services for patients that assist in finding a bed at a rehab or sober living house.

It is also common for local 12-step groups to have meetings for patients and to offer suggestions on how they can proceed next.

Short-Term Treatment Centers

Short-term treatment centers are the ‘typical’ route. These facilities typically offer intensive 28-day programs that serve to educate patients on addiction as well as relapse prevention techniques.

Relapse prevention techniques can include meditation, art or play therapy. They are also usually very focused on 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.

These facilities are synonymous with partial hospitalization which means they are largely covered by many private insurance plans.

Short-term rehabs can also usually handle dual diagnosis patients. Dual diagnosis, co-occurring disorders, or co-morbidity is a common issue with addicts and alcoholics. This is simply when addiction is paired with another mental illness such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.

Don’t be surprised if your short-term facility has a ‘family’ component. Basically, the counselors will help bring loved ones to the rehab.

Over a three- to five- day period, you’ll be required to be honest about your drug use or drinking. Your family will then tell you how it affected them. On the last day of your family week, you’ll set healthy boundaries.

This portion scares a lot of people but is truly beneficial to all involved.

Long-Term Rehabs

Attending a long-term rehab is typically a six- or twelve-month commitment. Sometimes a patient will transition from a short-term facility to a long-term one, while other people may go directly there.

The purpose of long-term rehab is to resocialize the patient. Everyone involved in this program takes an active role–other patients, staff, counselors, and visitors.

These rehabs aren’t often considered to be partial hospitalizations and insurance doesn’t always cover the entire stay. However, with the skills and accountability learned in these types of programs, many patients won’t have to return.

Potential patients should note that many treatment centers–long- or short-term–do focus on religion in addiction recovery. This is a prominent theme even in non-religious rehabs because there is proof that the higher moral standing that comes with religion promotes sobriety.

Intensive Outpatient Treatments

Intensive outpatient treatment is also abbreviated to IOP. IOP is not a residential treatment at all, in fact, you can live at home and attend the small groups.

This type of treatment can be beneficial if the patient is ready to be sober and has a great support system. However, due to the lack of structure during the rest of the week, relapse tends to happen in these programs.

It is relatively normal for graduates of short-term centers to attend IOP as a form of aftercare. It’s also common for health insurance to automatically cover this treatment after a stay in a residential facility.

Addiction Therapy

Although this is not truly a ‘treatment center,’ certified counselors can often be found through rehabs that offer both individualized and group therapy.

Group therapy can be quite similar to the style of IOP therapy that would be received. The group generally adds or loses members as needed, but a few members will always know each other.

Therapists use social reinforcement to promote drug and alcohol-free lifestyles. Other therapeutic techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, rational emotive behavioral therapy, and even family therapy can also be used.

Individualized counseling also is beneficial, especially for those that are dealing with a dual diagnosis. This one-on-one time can begin to address the underlying causes of addiction while allowing the patient to be completely open and honest.

Sober Living

We want to touch on sober living and halfway houses because there are many people who can’t afford any of the previously mentioned treatments.

Sober living houses are typically independently run, although may be associated with a larger non-profit group. Some may be grouped by women, women and children, and men, however, it is uncommon to find co-ed sober living houses.

These homes are made up of members with a common purpose: to stay clean and sober. Some have been to rehab, some couldn’t afford to do so, all hold each other accountable.

Although this situation might not completely replace a treatment center, it is important to consider.

Find the Best Treatment, Be the Best You

Finding the best types of treatment centers for you, your situation, and your budget is relatively easy. However, keep in mind that each center will use different types of therapy to aid in your recovery.

The types of therapy are about as varied as the types of rehabs. If you can find a combination that works for you, the likelihood of long-term recovery is much higher.

Just as the types of therapy vary, the cost and the luxury of the facility will vary. State-run facilities will offer different types of therapy as well as larger patient to staff ratios than luxury ones will.

This isn’t to say low-cost rehabs aren’t as good or don’t offer the same standard of care as luxury ones. It means your stay won’t be as posh as it could be, but the information will stay the same.

If you’d like more information on beating addiction, living your life in recovery, and being a better you, check out our blog!