What Is My First Action When Seeking Treatment?

People who decide to get professional help for addiction have made an important step in the recovery process. But, deciding to find addiction treatment is only the beginning, because to begin treatment users must find treatment programs that will best suit their individual needs. This search for quality treatment can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be: as long as users consider certain aspects of each program while they compare their needs to the programs’ treatment options, they should be able to find care that will help them reach and maintain sobriety.

Types of Addiction Treatment Facilities

As the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains, there are over 14,500 specialized substance addiction and abuse treatment facilities in the US. It can seem overwhelming to choose from this large number of programs, but it’s possible to do for people that narrow their choices by knowing what type of treatment the facilities offers. Steven Gifford lists the following types of treatment programs:

• Inpatient – In this type of treatment, users check into a center in which they will stay for the duration of treatment. There they will be monitored 24 hours a day, and they will go through a specific, strict and personalized treatment. These programs can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, but they are usually a minimum of 28 days. The first step in inpatient care is often detox, which patients must undergo if they experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the substance.
• Outpatient – This option is more flexible than inpatient care, but it offers less intensive treatment. Users attend these programs during the day, and then return home each night. Multiple outpatient treatment options are available, each with varying levels of support and efficacy. Many programs offer group counseling as a focal point of their services.

To recover from addiction, you must know which treatment method best suits your needs.

Treatment Approach Options

The NIDA also lists the following treatment approaches for addiction:

• Medicine-based therapy means users take medication to manage withdrawal symptoms during the first few weeks of the rehab process. Addictions to opioids, nicotine and alcohol are most commonly treated with this type of therapy.
• Behavioral therapy means users actively participate in their treatment processes, they learn how to modify their behaviors so they can avoid substance abuse in the future and they are equipped with coping skills that train them to manage stressful situations without drugs. Multiple types of behavioral therapy are available, such as motivational incentives, cognitive-behavioral, 12-Step support groups and family-focused care.

Find treatment approaches that will help you get and stay clean.

Questions to Consider When Choosing an Addiction Treatment Program

To choose addiction treatment that is best suited to your unique needs, consider asking the following questions of yourself before seeking help:

• What kind of addiction(s) am I struggling with?
• Do I suffer from an addiction alongside another mental health condition, also known as co-occurring disorders?
• How long am I able to commit to the rehab process?
• Temporarily, am I able to leave my work, family and friends in order to receive treatment?
• What payment options are available to me?

Even if you cannot answer every question immediately, you should consider each one, as they will each affect which type of treatment you need.

Where to Find More Information About Addiction Treatment

Every addiction rehab program is different, so it’s essential for people to know the specific features of each program they are considering. Choosing a treatment program is an important step in the rehab and recovery process, but it can also be intimidating and overwhelming. If you or a loved one is thinking about getting help for an addiction, call our toll-free, 24 hour helpline right now at 615-490-9376. Our admissions coordinators can help you choose the treatment program that is best for you.