How To Choose The Best Rehab For You

It’s important to follow a detoxification protocol before rehabilitation. A medical detox is when a recovering addict gets rid of all traces of drugs and alcohol from their body. In the process, this removes any build-up of toxins and waste. Some rehabilitation centers don’t offer detox beforehand, although it’s crucial to treatment success.

Plus, a detox looks different at each facility. Some offer detoxes where a patient can get medication to help with the worst of their withdrawal symptoms. A few medications offered during detox might include: 

• Naltrexone
• Disulfiram
• Methadone
• Buprenorphine
• Suboxone

Plus, there are two, general kinds of drug detox. They are subacute and acute. An acute detox is for individuals suffering from extreme, life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. On the other hand, a subacute detox is still intense, but for individuals with less dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

Someone with a marijuana addiction might need a sub-acute detox. A person with a severe opioid addiction will likely need an acute detox. Whatever the type of detox, each will be monitored by medical professionals that support patients around the clock.

Detox can be thought of as the process of managing physical symptoms. Treatment focuses on the psychological symptoms of an alcohol or substance use disorder. Addiction is complex because it can still affect an individual after all the physical withdrawal symptoms are gone. Also, many people try to mask the pain of a mental illness with substance abuse.

Therapy is a form of treatment that can help individuals soothe the emotional and mental pain associated with addiction. Each rehabilitation center provides variations of therapy. One might appeal to you over another. Therapies can be combined to produce the best outcome.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors as a result. The theory is that people have “automatic” thoughts that affect their mental health and self-esteem. CBT works to identify these thoughts, change them over time, and react to them differently.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy, also known as DBT, started in the ’80s when CBT wasn’t working as well for those suffering from borderline personality disorder. DBT worked to validate behaviors based on their mental illness and life story. They also worked to blend negative thoughts with reality to get patients to realize the truth. Dialectical behavior therapy is known to help people with serious mental illness with a tendency to self-harm.

Holistic Therapy

Contrary to what some may believe, holistic therapy is evidence-based. Holistic therapeutic practices aim to heal the body, mind, and soul at the same time. Some kinds have a spiritual twist. Most involve practicing mindfulness through participating in activities. Holistic therapy can complement treatment as a whole.

Some forms of holistic therapy are: 

• Art therapy
• Exercise therapy
• Music therapy
• Adventure therapy
• Massage therapy

Family Therapy 

Addiction is a family disease. Some rehab patients may benefit from attending therapy with their family members. Their collective pain can help recovering addicts commit to recovery for reasons beyond their personal well-being. It can help mend broken bonds in the process.

Inpatient programs mean a patient lives at the rehab facility. In comparison, outpatient treatment is when a recovering addict doesn’t live there. The best drug rehab for you might involve living at the facility, or it might not. It depends on your life story and lifestyle.

Do you need to keep a job? Do you take care of elderly relatives? Outpatient treatment gives recovering addicts the ability to maintain some of their responsibilities while they get through addiction.

There are various levels of outpatient care:  

• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) – Most intense and most time commitment
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) – Intense, but with less time commitment
• General outpatient programs (OPs) – The least intense form of treatment

Inpatient treatment is best for people that can commit 100% of their time to addiction recovery. Residential treatment is a form of inpatient treatment. It allows recovering addicts to be surrounded by like-minded peers all working toward the same goal.

Also, it gives patients the ability to take all the time they need to recover. While this is the best option for most, prior commitments may not allow every person to do this. Figuring out which kind of treatment appeals more to you can help with choosing a rehab facility.

Some rehabs are gender-specific. That means they only intake one gender. This might be the best option for some but not for others. Both have their respective benefits. Men and women experience addiction differently.

However, coed rehabs accept all genders, including those who are struggling with their gender identity. Non-binary and genderqueer people can suffer from substance use disorders. A coed rehab can help them get through their addiction without causing them more of an internal struggle.

Aftercare programs are important to every relapse prevention plan. Treatment is important, but what use is it if it doesn’t stick once the program is complete? The best drug rehab offers aftercare programs that may come in the form of outpatient treatment, support groups, continued therapy, a robust alumni network, and sober living homes.

Research the aftercare programs a facility offers when choosing a rehab facility. At the least, they should be able to offer external resources after treatment is over. Relapse is a common theme in addiction recovery. But it can be avoided with the help of the right rehab.