Different Types Of Drug Rehabilitation Services

Addiction to drugs and/or alcohol is a disease that progresses through predictable stages. The different types of drug rehabilitation centers also depend on the patient's social situation, the kind of drug they are addicted to, the length and quantity of use, and the patient's degree of dependence. It is important to find out which type of treatment is right for you. Different types of treatment are detox, inpatient, residential, outpatient.

Detox:

While using drugs or alcohol, your body accumulates toxins and the goal of detox is to get rid of those toxins. Withdrawal is the first step. The definition of withdrawal is "Discontinuation of the use of an addictive substance, and the physiological and mental readjustment that accompanies such discontinuation." Once you have stopped the use of drugs, withdrawal symptoms are more than likely to occur. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms depends on the substances you were using, the length of use, and the amount of use. Detoxification treatments help a patient get through the uncomfortable symptoms they will experience during withdrawal. Since detox can sometimes be dangerous, patients will also be under 24 hour care of medical staff.

The difference between inpatient and a residential treatment center is that inpatient services are provided by a licensed hospital, while residential programs usually do not meet the same rigorous standards of medical care.

Inpatient:

An inpatient drug rehabilitation center provides 24 hour care for patients. This type of drug rehab usually involves a short and intense program which varies in length depending on the patient's situation. Usually the least amount of time spent there is about 30 days with the expectation that the addict will continue treatment in an outpatient setting.

Residential:

The only difference between inpatient and a residential drug and alcohol treatment center is that inpatient services are provided by a licensed hospital, while residential programs usually do not meet the same rigorous standards of medical care.

Outpatient:

Another type of intense drug rehabilitation is outpatient treatment which means patients voluntarily attend, and they live and work on their own. They attend counseling sessions and meetings that are designed to help the addict learn new coping mechanisms to deal with stress, so that they no longer turn to drugs. Drug rehabilitation of this kind could be casual, in a community setting, or official, with a trained counselor present during group therapy.