Common Drug Rehab Concerns Does drug rehab work? How do I find the right treatment program for my loved one s needs? Does my loved one need to detox prior to entering rehab? Can my loved one leave rehab once they are admitted? How long does my loved one need to remain in rehab? Does rehab work after relapse? Common Treatments What is an inpatient treatment program? What is an outpatient treatment program? What is a 12-step program? What is a holistic treatment program? What is cognitive behavioral therapy? The Goals of Rehab: Relapse Prevention & Sobriety What is the primary goal of rehab? How do the goals of outpatient and inpatient rehab differ? What are the different treatment goals for a rehab program? How does rehab help to prevent relapse? Does an individual s family need to be involved in rehab?
COMMON DRUG REHAB CONCERNS If a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, they are not alone. An estimated 21.6 million people need treatment for drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, without professional care, the majority of individuals who suffer from substance abuse are unable to overcome their addictions. In fact, nine out of 10 drug users cannot overcome their addictions without drug counseling and rehab. If you are considering drug rehab for a loved one, friend or family member, it is natural to have questions about rehab. This information will help you better understand common drug rehab concerns, including how to find the right treatment center for a loved one and what to expect once a loved one is admitted to a treatment program. While the decision to help a loved one enter rehab can be difficult and challenging, doing nothing only enables a loved one s pattern of drug abuse. 3 Drug Rehab FAQ
Q. Does drug rehab work? Yes, drug rehab does work. With personal commitment and the right treatment program, drug rehabilitation is highly effective. The personalized treatment programs and experienced drug counselors at a rehab center can help individuals overcome a destructive pattern of drug abuse and achieve sobriety. Comprehensive inpatient treatment programs may also include life skills course to prepare individuals for life after rehab. The key to successful rehab is finding the right program that best meets your loved one s treatment and recovery needs. Q. How do I find the right treatment program for my loved one s needs? The first step to finding the right treatment program is to understand the level of care that your loved one requires. For example, a large percentage of individuals in recovery are receiving treatment for more than one dependency type. This is known as co-occurring addiction. If a loved one has co-occurring addictions, it is important to find a program that will offer care for these different substance abuse problems. Q. Does my loved one need to detox prior to entering rehab? Depending on the rehab center, detox is not always necessary before entering rehab. In fact, attempting to detox from certain drugs without medical supervision can be dangerous and may even jeopardize your loved one s health. Some drugs, such as heroin and opiate-based prescription painkillers, can produce severe withdrawal symptoms. Overcoming these symptoms without supervised medical assistance can be challenging and nearly impossible. A rehab center will have trained professionals on staff to guide your loved one through the detox process. 4 Drug Rehab FAQ
Q. Can my loved one leave rehab once they are admitted? To ensure that rehab is successful, most rehab programs do not allow individuals to come and go during the course of treatment, unless they are accompanied by staff. While most facilities are left unlocked, locked facilities do exist for individuals who need to be secured due to hostile behavior or because they pose a threat to themselves or others. In most cases, however, facilities remain unlocked although individuals are not permitted to leave. Q. How long does my loved one need to remain in rehab? Most rehab programs are between 28 and 35 days, although some residential treatment centers offer longer stays for up to 60 or 90 days. For maximum benefit, it is important that a loved one remain in the rehab center for the duration of treatment. Q. Does rehab work after relapse? Yes, rehab can work after relapse. Sometimes, after completing a rehab program, a loved one may relapse and begin using drugs or alcohol again. While this relapse can be frustrating, painful and disappointing to both you and your loved one, it is important to remember that sobriety must be taken on a day-by-day basis. Not every day will be a step forward. If a loved one does suffer a relapse, it is important to help them re-enter an effective drug treatment program. Relapse does not mean that your loved one is hopeless or that the previous rehab program was a waste of time. Relapse is simply a sign that your loved one needs additional care to maintain sobriety. A rehab program can help your loved one recommit to their sobriety and address the issues that contributed to their relapse. 5 Drug Rehab FAQ
COMMON TREATMENTS According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration s (SAMHSA s) Treatment Episode Date Set (TEDS) 1.8 million individuals entered treatment programs for substance abuse in 2008. Alcohol abuse accounted for the majority of substance abuse treatment admissions (41.4%), followed by heroin and opiate-drug related admissions (20%) and marijuana (17%). While some treatment facilities may focus specifically on one type of substance abuse problem, most rehab centers offer treatment for both alcohol as well as drug abuse. Selecting the right treatment program will help ensure your loved one receives the care that he or she needs. This information is designed to help you better understand the different treatment programs available for your loved one, including 12-step programs and holistic programs, as well as the difference between inpatient and outpatient programs. 6 Drug Rehab FAQ
Q. What is an inpatient treatment program? An inpatient treatment program, also known as a residential treatment facility, provides care 24 hours per day. Some individuals who are struggling with substance abuse problems benefit significantly when they leave their home environment and stay at a residential treatment facility. This change in environment helps to remove negative influences and gives individuals the opportunity to focus solely on their health. Q. What is an outpatient treatment program? Outpatient treatment is a form of rehab where individuals travel to a treatment center to attend classes or therapy sessions and then return home the same day. If a loved one has successfully completed inpatient treatment, an outpatient program may be part of ongoing care. Some outpatient treatment programs may last only a few hours each week, while others require individuals to come in for several hours each day. The level of care and the time commitment involved can vary widely based on an individual s treatment needs. Q. What is a 12-step program? A traditional 12-step program is one of the most popular treatment methods for drug addiction. Twelve step programs have helped millions of individuals recover from substance abuse and maintain life-long sobriety. This program is designed to bring sobriety, strength and serenity to an individual s life. Program participants advance in order through each of the 12 steps. These steps include acknowledging that they have a problem and are powerless to control it; believing in a higher power that can bring back control; and turning their problem over to this higher power. The level of religiosity attached to a 12-step program can vary. While all programs stress fellowship and community support, not all programs include prayer or God. 7 Drug Rehab FAQ
Q. What is a holistic treatment program? Holistic treatment programs integrate complementary therapies to address psychological or mental issues that underlie substance abuse. For example, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, a past history of sexual or physical abuse, or other personal problems may contribute to an individual s substance abuse struggles. These individuals may abuse drugs or alcohol as an escape from their problems. Holistic treatment programs may use meditation, yoga, tai chai, acupuncture, massage therapy or other alternative therapies to help restore an individual s sense of well-being and purpose. Q. What is cognitive behavioral therapy? Cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, is a type of treatment designed to help individuals recognize destructive patterns of behavior and alter these behavioral patterns in order to prevent future substance abuse. Cognitive behavioral therapy may take place either as group counseling or one-on-one counseling. Many treatment centers offer behavioral therapy in conjunction with a 12-step program or holistic treatments. 8 Drug Rehab FAQ
THE GOALS OF REHAB: RELAPSE PREVENTION & SOBRIETY If someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, drug addiction treatment centers can help. Even if a loved one wants to stop using drugs, sheer willpower is not enough to overcome addiction. Rehab programs are designed to help individuals stop abusing drugs or alcohol, to successfully detox these substances from their bodies, and to help individuals re-enter society and lead a self-sufficient, drug-free life. 9 Drug Rehab FAQ
Q. What is the primary goal of rehab? Rehab programs are designed to help an individual overcome their struggles with substance abuse and lead a sober life. In addition to helping individuals detox, drug rehab programs also address the issues underlying addiction. Rehab programs work to resolve root problems and end the resulting behaviors, such as drug or alcohol addiction. A comprehensive drug rehabilitation program can prevent a loved one s addiction from escalating to more serious health problems or death. Q. How do the goals of outpatient and inpatient rehab differ? The overarching goal for both outpatient and inpatient rehab is the same: to help individuals recover from substance abuse and achieve sobriety. However, the day-to-day goal for these programs may differ. Individuals in inpatient rehab may need a greater level of care as they attempt to recover from drugs or alcohol and address their addictions. In contrast, outpatient programs may be primarily focused on aftercare and relapse prevention. Q. What are the different treatment goals for a rehab program? The goal for any drug treatment program is to eliminate substance abuse. However, addiction professionals understand that in order to achieve this overarching goal, smaller goals must first be met. Drug rehab will create smaller goals for observable and measureable behavioral changes. As an individual makes progress during treatment, these goals will evolve to reflect this progress. For example, one of the most basic goals for any drug treatment program is for individuals to admit they have a problem and are unable to control their need to use. 10 Drug Rehab FAQ
Q. How does rehab help to prevent relapse? Relapse prevention is a primary goal of rehab. By addressing both an individual s immediate physical and psychological needs to use drugs, as well as the emotional and mental issues underlying an individual s drug abuse, rehab helps confront addiction head on. The most successful rehab programs include strong outpatient and transitional care to help individuals readjust to sober living. Some individuals find that programs that include life skills courses are most successful at preventing relapse. Q. Does an individual s family need to be involved in rehab? Family involvement can be an important part of the recovery process and crucial to achieving rehab s primary goal: long-term sobriety. Most inpatient treatment centers have specific visitation periods for family members. In addition to visiting hours, treatment centers may also offer workshops for family members so they can better understand their loved one s addiction, the factor that contributed to this addiction, and how they can help their loved one achieve sobriety. In some cases, an individual may have begun abusing drugs in response to a challenging family situation. In other cases, an individual s substance abuse may have seriously affected the well-being of different family members. Consequently, addressing family dynamics and creating a safe space for communication and healing is an important goal for rehab programs. 11 Drug Rehab FAQ