Most mental health experts agree that addiction requires treatment, but what does that treatment look like? Do you need to go to inpatient rehab, or can you attend an outpatient treatment center? Do you have other recovery options?
Addiction is a complicated disorder, but you do have options for recovery. Finding the right treatment can improve your chances of success.
Why Seek Addiction Treatment?
Just like other mental illnesses, addiction is more easily managed with the right treatment. Addiction treatment offers several advantages over a solo recovery process.
Safe Detox
Detoxification (detox) happens when a drug filters out of a person’s system. Everyone who deals with substance abuse must go through detox as the first step in their recovery. When a person stops using drugs and alcohol, the detox process will happen whether or not that person enters a treatment facility.
However, detoxing alone is not always safe. For example, severe alcohol addictions and opioid addictions require medical supervision. They create dangerous withdrawal symptoms that can be life-threatening.
Getting addiction treatment can help you detox safely. Your doctors may even prescribe medication to help you overcome uncomfortable withdrawal side effects.
Comprehensive Treatment
Mental illnesses often require a comprehensive approach. Treatment can include medication, counselling, and healthy coping strategies. For instance, somebody with anxiety may take a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to help their brain maintain serotonin, a chemical that promotes calm and happiness.
While the medication addresses the brain’s chemical imbalance, the person may also attend cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or another form of counselling. In addition to these treatments, they may pursue lifestyle changes such as meditation and regular exercise. All of these methods may help somebody manage their anxiety, but when combined, they become especially effective.
The same concept applies to addiction. The most effective treatment for addiction takes a multi-pronged approach. Addiction treatment centers regularly use multiple forms of therapy, prescribe medication, and encourage lifestyle changes.
Address Causes and Triggers
People develop addictions for several reasons, including genetics, life circumstances, and access to drugs and alcohol. For some, multiple factors combine to create a substance abuse problem.
Addiction treatment may help you uncover some of the reasons behind your substance use. When you understand why you began using drugs or alcohol, your counsellors can help you develop practical strategies to avoid relapse.
The root causes of addiction can give you an idea of your triggers, or situations that may lead you to use drugs. The more you understand the circumstances of your substance use, the more you can plan how to handle those situations in a healthier way.
Addiction Treatment Options
Addiction treatment offers many options, but all of these options fall into one or two categories: inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment.
Inpatient Addiction Treatment
When a lot of people think of addiction treatment, they picture inpatient rehab. Inpatient rehab centers provide a place for participants to stay for up to 90 days. During this time, patients eat meals at the treatment center, attend therapy sessions, and participate in group discussions. You can find out more about the comprehensive approach to addiction treatment offered by rehab centers here: https://healtreatmentcenters.com/west-palm-beach-rehab-center-for-addiction-treatment
Outpatient Addiction Treatment
During outpatient treatment, patients stay in their own homes at night but receive counselling during the day. Outpatient treatment is a broad category with a range of treatment possibilities. The best outpatient treatment for you will depend on the severity of your addiction.
For example, the most intensive kind of outpatient addiction treatment is partial hospitalisation. In this kind of program, a patient may spend several hours per day at a hospital or treatment center. Less intensive options may include weekly therapy sessions, outpatient support groups, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
How to Find the Right Treatment
If you deal with substance abuse, the number of treatment options can look overwhelming. However, starting the treatment process can help you manage your addiction and reclaim your well-being.
If possible, ask a doctor or therapist for recommendations. They can point you toward the best treatment choices for your particular situation. Otherwise, look online for the treatment centers that are close to you.
Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment, having caring experts on your side can make all the difference.
