Types of Drug Treatment

Drug addiction is a highly individualized problem and so there is no one solution that is right for everyone. For people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction there is a wide range of treatment options that are available. Below you can learn about each of these options in detail.

Inpatient Drug Treatment

Inpatient drug treatment, which is also known as residential drug rehab, is where the patient will stay at a residence 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until the end of treatment. During their stay they will receive treatment for their alcohol or drug addiction in a monitored and supportive environment.

Inpatient drug treatment creates an environment which is completely free of the substances that the patient has become addicted to. It also allows them physical and emotional space from the stresses and people which may have been contributing to their addiction. By staying at a residential rehabilitation center the patient can focus solely on achieving sobriety.

The cost of inpatient treatment depends on the type of residence that is selected. There are drug rehab residences that range from low or no cost through to luxury rehab centers. At the top end are luxury rehab centers which can cost between $30,000 - $100,000 a month. In addition to receiving the best quality treatment the patient will also have access to resort level facilities including pools, gyms and saunas. Professionals such as personal trainers, massage therapists, nannies and gourmet chefs are also often made available.

Below this you have standard rehab centers which typically cost $10,000 - $20,000 a month. Here you can expect to receive good quality treatment but with less lavish accommodation and facilities. Rooms will be more basic but will usually include a desk, bed, and television. Facilities such as a workout room and swimming pool may also be provided.

Finally there are low cost rehab centers which typically cost under $5,000 a month. These are often provided by governmental, charity or religious organizations. Sometimes staying at one of these centers will be free of charge but may having an extensive waiting list depending on demand.

Short Term Inpatient Drug Treatment

Short term inpatient drug treatment is a full time stay at a resident rehab center for a period of about 30 days. The main purpose of a short term inpatient stay is to remove drugs and alcohol from the patient's life, provide medical stabilization and to institute lifestyle changes that will support long term sobriety. During the patients stay they will be constantly monitored and supported by trained medical professionals and counsellors. This is essentially a concentrated version of a long term inpatient treatment program.

Long Term Inpatient Drug Treatment

This is a full time residential drug treatment program which is anywhere from 30 to more than a year. During the patients long term stay they will have no access to alcohol and drugs and will be monitored to prevent relapse. Typically long term residential drug treatment programs will include holistic treatment programs with activities such as yoga, art therapy, outdoor recreation, meditation and drug and alcohol education. This helps to institute behavioral change which will support life long sobriety. Holistic therapy also addresses the underlying reasons for drug and alcohol abuse, so that the patient is not only sober but able to live a happier and more rewarding life.

Outpatient Drug Treatment

The objective of outpatient drug treatment is to help the patient to maintain life long sobriety free from drugs and alcohol. The major difference between outpatient treatment and a full time stay at a drug rehab center is that the patient is not required to reside on the property full time.

Outpatient treatment may be either a replacement or extension for a full time stay at a rehab drug center. The amount of time needed for treatment will depend on the program. It may involve the patient spending a full day several times a week, once a week or for only a few hours each week.

The cost of outpatient drug rehab can vary considerably on factors such as your geographical location, the type of treatment, and the facilities provided. However in general you can expect the costs to be between $3000 - $10000 for a 30 day outpatient drug treatment program. Many insurance companies and employers will contribute to the price of drug rehabilitation programmes and so you may not need to absorb the entire price yourself. While outpatient drug rehab is not cheap it is considerably less expensive than inpatient drug treatment.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a compromise between inpatient and outpatient treatment. While the patient will not be required to stay at the drug rehab residence full time, they will need to attend intensive outpatient programs. These typically last for 4 or more hours a day and the patient will need to attend them several times a week. The advantage of an IOP is that it can be fit around the needs of family, work or schooling but also provides intense focus and monitoring. The IOP will be primarily focused on ensuring that the patient does not relapse.

Sober living Environment (SELs)

Sober living provides a drug and alcohol free live in residence. Sober living residences are also sometimes termed half way houses. People who move into a sober living environment might do so for a number of different reasons. For some residents staying may be court mandated, for others it might be a voluntary decision to help support their sobriety and for others it may have no other place to reside.

One of the major advantages of a sober living environment is that the resident will not have access to drugs and alcohol. Sober living residences also provide structure for the residents. Often the residents will need to perform chores in return for being provided with accommodation. There may also be rules about who they can invite into the residence and a curfew may also be imposed. Residents will also typically have mandatory therapeutic meetings either one on one or in group environments. They may also be provided with drug and alcohol education. To ensure that the residents do not relapse random alcohol and drug tests are also often a feature of sober living environments.