It can be very difficult to break the pattern of addiction. It requires a lot of determination and willpower. Fortunately, for those who choose treatment, the inpatient rehab effectiveness rate is around 75%. If you’ve ever considered seeking help, this article explains the benefits of inpatient treatment and the steps involved and helps you determine whether it’s right for you.
The Inpatient Rehab Effectiveness Compared to Detox or Quitting Alone
Your brain is wired with a reward system that makes you feel good when you do positive things, such as talking to your best friend or even eating your favorite food. Drugs take over this reward system by creating more intense feelings of pleasure. As your brain starts to adapt to the effects of drugs and alcohol, activities you once enjoyed no longer interest you. Instead, you start craving the feelings you get from substances, making it very hard to stop. When you finally do make the decision to quit, you’ll find some methods are easier than others. To understand inpatient rehab effectiveness, it’s important to compare it with other methods.
Medical Detox
When you enter a rehabilitation program, the first step in the process is medical detox. You’ll receive around-the-clock medical supervision and medications to help control withdrawal and life-threatening complications. The goal of detox is to remove the substance from your body. The time it takes to complete the detox process varies depending on the substance, but it typically lasts anywhere from several days to several weeks.
Quitting Alone
Quitting cold turkey by yourself is one of the most dangerous and least effective methods of recovery. If you’re addicted to alcohol or benzodiazepines, unsupervised withdrawal can even be fatal. Detoxing from other drugs, like opioids, can also be very painful, leading to high rates of relapse.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment is a comprehensive residential program that starts once an individual detoxes from drugs or alcohol. In inpatient care, an individual is completely removed from daily triggers and stresses of home and work. Daily life is structured and completely focused on therapy, education, counseling, groups and activities. Patients learn the underlying cause of addiction and coping mechanisms to help prevent relapse when they return to their normal lives. The length of time for inpatient care varies but typically lasts between 30 and 90 days.
Why Medical Detox Is Just the First Step
Medical detox addresses the physical dependence on alcohol and drugs by safely removing the toxins in your body. However, it doesn’t explain why you started using in the first place. Without detox, it can be hard to concentrate on your emotional, psychological and spiritual recovery. Detox provides confidence and can help you feel better physically, making it much easier to stay committed during treatment.
Benefits of 24-7 Support and Structured Care
Individuals struggling with addiction may feel they’ve lost complete control over their lives and well-being. A substance abuse disorder can also leave you feeling hopeless and overwhelmed. Inpatient care provides stability and around-the-clock care, making it much easier to focus on healing. Some of the key benefits of inpatient treatment include:
- Trigger-free environment. Inpatient treatment removes you from common triggers, including the people and places associated with your substance use. It also eliminates access to alcohol and drugs, which reduces the chances of relapse.
- Continued support. In inpatient care, counselors and trained medical staff are available 24-7 to assist with cravings, anxiety and difficult emotions.
- Structured routines. When you’re in inpatient care, you’ll receive a daily schedule that includes time for therapy, group sessions, educational workshops, recreational activities and meals. With a full schedule, you’ll have less idle time, which can be a trigger when you’re going through recovery.
- Peer support. Addiction can make you feel misunderstood and alone. Inpatient treatment allows you to interact with others who are going through the same thing. Group sessions let you share experiences, offer support and hold each other accountable.
Addressing Underlying Mental Health and Behavioral Issues
Approximately half of all individuals living with addiction also have a mental health disorder. Individuals with mental illness are also more vulnerable to substance use, often using it to mask their symptoms. At the same time, individuals struggling with addiction may also develop conditions like anxiety and depression, creating a cycle that’s often very hard to break. For these reasons, it’s important to provide integrated care. This involves:
- Accurate diagnosis. A psychiatric evaluation identifies any co-occurring disorders and is completed during the initial check-in for inpatient care.
- Medication management. In addition to any medications for drug and alcohol treatment, a doctor may prescribe psychiatric medications to stabilize moods and anxiety.
- Therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy identify and help change negative thought patterns.
How Inpatient Rehab Builds a Foundation for Long-Term Sobriety
Recovery isn’t a one-time event. It’s a lifetime journey that requires ongoing effort and support. One of the benefits of inpatient rehab is it usually includes aftercare, one of the tools needed to build a strong foundation for recovery. This foundation includes:
- Developing coping strategies. Inpatient treatment teaches healthy coping strategies, including mindfulness, journaling, exercise and reaching out for support.
- Relapse prevention skills. One of the reasons to go to rehab is to learn about your triggers and how to develop a plan that addresses these situations successfully.
- Education. Understanding the science of addiction makes it easier to manage your condition, just like someone with heart disease learns how to manage their illness.
- Aftercare planning. Before you leave treatment, your clinical team will help you develop an aftercare plan to keep you on track. This includes appointments with your therapist, group meetings and potentially an outpatient program to help you transition back to your daily life.
Is Inpatient Treatment Right for You?
Inpatient treatment requires significant commitment, and it’s a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s best suited for individuals who:
- Have relapsed
- Have a severe, long-standing addiction
- Struggle with mental health
- Live in an unstable home
- Require medical supervision
Choosing the Right Inpatient Treatment Program
Inpatient rehab effectiveness depends on finding the right program to fit your needs. Contact Restore Mental Health to learn about your options and speak to one of our counselors today.
