Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers: What to Know

Dealing with alcoholism or an addiction to prescription medications or illicit street drugs is never simple, regardless of the severity of your addiction. If you have become addicted to using any substance or if you have a friend or a loved one in your life you want to help, learning more about rehab centers and what they have to offer can help get you pointed in the right direction. Knowing what to expect with various rehabilitation centers can be the first step toward a life without dependency.

What are Rehab Centers?

Rehab centers are facilities available that help people who struggle with substance abuse through the detoxification process, which is often accompanied by severe withdrawal symptoms. Rehab centers vary by location and the type of addictions they handle, which is why it is essential to compare your options before making a decision for yourself or a loved one.

Inpatient Treatment Facilities

Inpatient treatment facilities require patients to live on the premises until the course of the addiction treatment is complete. Most inpatient rehab facility centers require patients to complete a 28- to 90-day rehab program, based on the addiction and the type of assistance the patient has chosen.

Many inpatient rehab centers and facilities provide an entire medical staff that is available at all times. Inpatient rehab centers help to ensure that any unpleasant and possibly life-threatening withdrawal symptoms are taken care of and monitored by nurses, doctors, and even therapists, depending on the rehab center of your choice.

Outpatient Rehab Programs

Outpatient programs for alcoholism or drug addiction do not require patients to live within the facility itself. Instead, outpatient rehab programs often meet weekly, bi-weekly or even monthly for check-ins and sobriety reassurance. Outpatient programs typically last anywhere from a month or longer, depending on the individual’s need for an outlet of support to avoid relapsing into addiction again.

Choosing the Rehab Center for You

Choosing the rehab center that is right for you greatly depends on your own needs as well as the severity of the addiction you are facing. Comparing rehabilitation facilities and treatment centers can be done right from home, online, and by reading reviews and testimonials. Finding referrals from family members and friends who may have struggled with a similar addiction is another method of finding the right facility for you.

Understanding what to expect with rehab centers allows you to feel more comfortable and prepared when you need help or if you have a loved one who requires an intervention. Rehab centers are ideal whether you have been struggling with alcoholism or a similar addiction for months or even most of your life, as they provide the medical care necessary to help people through even the toughest of addictions that have spiraled out of control.