If you think that you or someone close to you has a substance abuse problem, you need to reach out and get help as soon as possible.
Compulsive drinking and drug use may get worse with time, and there’s a risk that you or a loved one might experience a drug overdose or be impaired in some other harmful way leading to a car crash, job loss, or other major life problem.
Fortunately, there are many ways to access care, and a variety of rehab centers are available with personalized treatment services that can help you not only detox from drugs or alcohol but build healthier habits and a better lifestyle for the future.
Accessing Care For Substance Use Disorder
To get started with substance abuse treatment, you can:
Talk To Your Doctor
One of the first steps in your recovery journey is to talk to your regular doctor. Remember, healthcare providers are responsible not only for your physical health, but your mental health and behavioral health as well.
Be honest about your situation and answer all follow-up questions or screenings honestly. Your doctor can then get you a referral to an appropriate treatment provider while remaining up to date throughout the entire process.
This is especially important if you also develop co-occurring health problems related to your substance abuse that may require medication or some other form of treatment during or after your recovery.
Call A Hotline
You can also contact either a national hotline like SAMHSA’s National Helpline or local or state hotlines like the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline. These hotlines help connect you with professionals who can plug you into a treatment program that fits your needs.
Helplines may also be able to connect you with various publicly- or privately-funded financial aid opportunities for free or reduced-cost treatment, depending on your specific situation and need.
Contact Treatment Centers Directly
You also have the option of directly and discretely reaching out to inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs of your choice.
Just be sure to choose a rehab program that provides an appropriate level of care and has an up-to-date accreditation with the Joint Commission or another major national organization.
Once you’re connected, the representative on the other end should be able to explain your options and arrange for an evaluation or admission, during which a personalized treatment plan will be developed to best address your specific needs.
Levels Of Care
Rehabilitation facilities are broadly divided into inpatient and outpatient facilities, though each of these groups is also incredibly diverse.
Depending on your condition, location, and preferences, you may be recommended to one or the other of these various levels of care, with the option of adjusting and making changes as needed throughout your recovery journey.
Inpatient Care
Inpatient treatment is more intensive than outpatient treatment and is strongly recommended whenever a person has a moderate to severe form of substance use disorder, co-occurring mental health disorders, or a history of relapse.
Once enrolled in an inpatient/residential treatment program, you are required to remain within the recovery center for the entire duration of your treatment program.
You’ll also be required to follow a daily treatment regimen to make the most of your time and give you the best possible basis for a long-term recovery.
Types of treatment offered in inpatient drug/alcohol rehab facilities include:
- medical detox services and withdrawal symptom management
- dual diagnosis treatment options for co-occurring mental health disorders
- both group therapy and individual therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, family therapy, contingency management, etc.)
- medication-assisted treatment (MAT) opportunities (methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, etc.)
- peer support groups
- alternative treatment options
- recreational events
- aftercare and relapse prevention services
Outpatient Care
Outpatient programs tend to be more common and more affordable than inpatient treatment programs, but this treatment format can still effectively address many different forms of drug addiction or alcohol addiction.
In fact, outpatient treatment is also offered as a form of aftercare or follow-up care after inpatient programs for those who need ongoing support and guidance.
Or it can be used as a form of early intervention or prevention for adults or adolescents at risk of developing a substance use disorder.
Outpatient programs can be divided into three different types by the intensity of care provided:
- day treatment/partial hospitalization programs (PHP), which provide full-time care and support (6-8 hours of care 3-5 days per week)
- intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), which provide part-time care and support (up to 20 hours per week total)
- regular outpatient programs, which are scheduled weekly or bi-weekly for several hours each session
- In each case, outpatient programs can last for an extended period of time and can give medical staff and patients much-needed flexibility as the recovery process continues.
Northeast Addictions Treatment Center
Addiction treatment is designed to be effective and to help those who work through it end harmful patterns of drug use and build healthy coping skills and a better support system for a more positive and happier lifestyle.
To learn more or enroll in our expert, Boston-area intensive outpatient addiction treatment and mental health services, please contact us today.
Continue Reading:
- 7 Tips For Finding An Addiction Treatment Center
- 10 Questions To Ask Before Going To Rehab
- Treatment Plan for Substance Abuse – What to Expect
- The Benefits of A Recovery Coach
Sources:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – Treatment and Recovery
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) –Treatment types for mental health, drugs, alcohol