Inpatient Drug Rehab or Outpatient Drug Rehab?
How to Transition from Addiction to Sobriety
Drug addiction is a complex disease involving a variety of behavioral, environmental, and genetic factors. It affects multiple pathways in the brain, especially those dealing with reward and motivation. The main sign of drug addiction is a powerful craving for a drug characterized by an urgent and compulsive drug-seeking behavior. Although the initial use of drugs is voluntary, the ability of an addict to abstain from increasing amounts of drug use becomes compromised because of the effects of the drugs on the brain. At this point, most individuals cannot stop using drugs without professional intervention. Once someone admits they need help, they need to decide between outpatient and inpatient drug rehab programs.
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Inpatient or Outpatient Drug Rehab
Drug rehabilitation programs are classified as inpatient and outpatient. A comparison of these two types of recovery programs requires an understanding of the benefits, definitions, and potential shortcomings of each program. For instance, patients live at an inpatient program facility for 24 hours a day while outpatient programs require treatment at a facility during the day and allow the patient to return home at night.
Features of Inpatient Drug Treatment
Residential treatment is the best choice for individuals who want to remove themselves entirely from temptations and concentrate solely on sobriety without everyday distractions. Programs differ and may include many features ranging from life skills training and family therapy to meditation and yoga. Inpatient treatment centers offer numerous benefits to patients, some of which include:
- Medication administration. Medications are available to assist with the withdrawal process from certain drugs. For instance, Naltrexone obstructs opioid receptors in the brain to block the patient from achieving the desired euphoric effects of these drugs.
- Supervised detoxification. The medical perspective of drug treatment becomes more complicated for serious addicts because they are usually addicted to more than one drug. Medical professionals monitor vital signs to ensure withdrawal symptoms do not become life-threatening.
- Individual and group therapy. Because patients live at a facility, they can participate in treatment without worrying about other responsibilities. They can focus solely on exploring the reasons surrounding their addiction and progressing toward a healthier lifestyle and mindset.
The needs and level of severity of addiction will help determine the best treatment route. People considering inpatient drug rehab may also wish to speak to an addiction counselor before deciding which drug rehab center to choose. Wasatch Crest treatment center offers inpatient and outpatient programs to help those addicted to drugs return to a happy and healthy life.
