Drug Addiction Treatment Levels You Should Know About
One of the reasons why people with addictions do not pursue addiction treatment is due to the myths concerning recovery programs. The information circulating the internet is often exaggerated, or completely false. Regardless, reading these horror stories can be quite overwhelming. They can cause panic and frighten an addict, forcing them to think about the challenges they might undergo should they choose to treat their drug addiction.
Then there are the people who do not seek treatment for the simple reason that they lack guidance and support in making the decision to do so. Addiction is a detrimental problem, and needs to be addressed as early possible. It can become a chronic illness if you avoid treatment because of something as trivial as misinformation and false facts.
With just 2.6 million people with addictive habits making an effort to seek treatment, it has been deduced that the confusion regarding the different levels of drug addiction treatment is at an all-time high. This confusion keeps too many people from getting the care they desperately need. This blog post is dedicated to providing you with a comprehensive overview of the levels of care you should know about in addiction treatment. With this knowledge you will be able to gain insight on the process, and make an informed decision as to which program best suits your needs.
Drug Addiction Treatment: The Levels of Care
In the drug addiction treatment process, there are five primary levels of care that assist patients in overcoming their dependencies and compulsive behaviors. These levels are:
- Medical Detox
- Residential or Inpatient Treatment
- Partial Hospitalization Programs
- Intensive Outpatient Programs
- Aftercare Planning / Counseling
While it is beneficial to undergo all five levels, it is not mandatory. Keeping your individual needs in mind, you can discuss treatment options with your physician or rehab specialist and then decide which steps you want to include in your plan.
1. Medical Detox
This is the first level of care in the addiction treatment process and is deemed mandatory for nearly all addictions. Medical detox eliminates the toxic elements from your body that have gathered during the course of your addiction. When you consume an illicit substance or alcohol for a long period of time, you develop a physical and psychological dependence to it.
Your body, consequently, starts to rely on the substance it is being fed. When you stop using the drug, you are likely to face withdrawal symptoms that can range from harmless conditions like nausea and headaches to severe issues such as seizures and heart attacks. Medical detox is the highest stage of addiction recovery, where you are strictly monitored by healthcare professionals who ensure that you recover properly from your withdrawal symptoms.
Detox can be hospital-based or conducted during inpatient treatment, depending on the facility you choose to pursue. It usually takes three to ten days to complete the detoxification process. The length of the process depends on the substance of abuse, the duration of use, and your willingness to get over your drug addiction.
2. Residential or Inpatient Treatment
The second level of care in the addiction recovery process is the inpatient treatment program. Inpatient treatment takes place in a residential facility where you are expected to stay overnight for a certain period of time. The program may last for thirty, sixty, or ninety days. In some cases, it may be extended to as long as one year.
During this stage, patients are subjected to a thorough psychological examination, and from there an individualized treatment plan is developed. This plan is formulated based on your addiction level, your physical and mental health, and your overall lifestyle. A counselor works with you during your stay in the inpatient or residential program, and helps you learn more about your addiction.
Inpatient treatment focuses on developing coping mechanisms to fight off triggers that may lead you back toward using. Facilities also offer a number of complementary therapies alongside main treatments that contribute to the recovery process, such as art therapy and music therapy.
3. Partial Hospitalization Program
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) are similar to inpatient care treatment. However, they do not require you to stay at the facility overnight. It is also known as day treatment. You can choose to live at your home or in sober living and attend the program simultaneously.
This program requires you to attend daily or weekly sessions, and make follow-up appointments with your counselor for sobriety management. PHPs can be attended for two weeks to six months depending on the level of care you need.
4. Intensive Outpatient Programs
Intensive Outpatient Programs, or IOPs, are a less time-consuming form of PHPs. IOP only requires you to attend three hours per day (or a total of nine hours per week) at the rehab facility. Intensive Outpatient Programs are designed to offer assistance to patients who want to continue rehab after concluding their detox and inpatient treatment programs. Some of these programs are in the evening so patients can attend still attend therapy and counseling sessions after their work day. Intensive Outpatient Programs can last for various lengths of time, depending on how many hours you are able to attend per day/week.
5. Aftercare Planning and Counseling
Aftercare and counseling is the last level of care in the addiction recovery process. This level entails a variety of programs and services including therapies, group meetings, and individual counseling. This stage is dependent on your clinical needs and overall progress.
Counseling generally lasts for one hour per session, and you can continue with these sessions for as long as you need. The sessions are usually based in trigger management and relapse prevention tactics to ensure long-term recovery.
The effectiveness of each level is dependent on your situation and individual needs. If you suffer from a severe drug addiction, it is important that you undergo all five levels. This will ensure optimal recovery and raise your quality of life substantially. If you have mild addiction issues, you can benefit from two or three of the levels and still lead a clean, healthy lifestyle.
Arizona Addiction Recovery Center provides a diverse range of treatment programs which entail the five levels of care mentioned above. We ensure that our clients are given the best possible treatment and are inspired to lead a better life. To learn more about drug addiction recovery and related information, contact us today at 602.346.9130.
