From coast to coast across the United States, men and women of all ages are currently suffering from drug addiction and substance abuse problems. In addition to putting their own health and well being at risk, these conditions also threaten to destroy personal relationships and careers without warning. Making matters more complicated is the fact that most people are either unable or unwilling to admit that they have a problem – and reach out for help. Those who do however, can find the comprehensive treatment help they need at a drug rehab center. The following information is designed to help individuals better understand the drug rehab process – and become familiar with the various treatment options at their disposal.

What are the Different Types of Drug Addiction Rehab?

There are two primary types of drug rehab: outpatient and residential. Both offer many of the same elements of treatment (see below) but do so in a very different manner.

• Residential drug rehab. These addiction treatment programs are designed to help individuals with a serious drug problem that is acerbated by their home environment. Residential addresses these problems by moving the individual away from their home and into a safe environment where they can receive round-the-clock care and focus on nothing but their recovery.
• Outpatient drug rehab. Some people cannot simply drop everything in their lives in order to enter into residential treatment. For these individuals (and those with less serious addiction or abuse issues) there is outpatient rehab. Outpatient care provides the individual with a measure of freedom, as they attend counseling and detox during the day, but may spend the rest of their time at home, work or school. Generally, outpatient care is less expensive than residential treatment.

What are the Core Elements of Drug Rehab?

There are a number of different types of drug rehab programs currently operating in the United States, each one with it’s own preferred treatment style and mechanics. There are however, a number of core elements that can be found in almost every drug rehab program in the country, the most important of these being detox, counseling and aftercare.

• Drug detox. Detox is the first component of addiction treatment. In order for an individual to continue on with counseling and aftercare, they must first detoxify. The reason for this is simple: until the individual is “cleansed” of harmful toxins found in drugs (especially opiates such as heroin, Vicodin or OxyContin) they are simply too unstable to move forward with something as intense as therapy. Detox generally takes 1-2 weeks to complete, and during this time the individual may experience a number of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are more pronounced during natural drug detox (also known as “going cold turkey”) than during medical detox (where the individual uses a synthetic version of a drug in order to be weaned off of their addiction more gradually).
• Drug addiction counseling. Once detox is complete, the individual can begin the counseling program. Counseling and therapy are the heart of any drug rehab program, as they represent a chance to address addiction at the source. During counseling, the individual learns the reasons why they use drugs, and develops better problem solving skills that help them respond more positively to the “triggers” that bring about the behavior. There are three primary types of addiction counseling, one or more of which the individual is likely to encounter at most drug rehab centers: individual counseling, group therapy and family counseling.
• Aftercare. The final component of most successful drug rehab programs is aftercare. Aftercare programs help the individual prepare for a sober life in the months and years following rehab. There are a number of different activities that can be considered aftercare, including sober living homes, follow-up counseling and therapy at the treatment center, or 12-step groups (such as Narcotics Anonymous) that can be found in almost every city in the United States and provide support and accountability for individuals who are working hard to maintain their sobriety.

Drug Rehab for Specific Substances

An individual who signs on for treatment at a drug rehab center is likely suffering to an addiction to one or more substances. The best programs are those with specific “tracks” that help the individual with their particular substance abuse problem. Among the most common forms of specific drug rehab are:

• Heroin rehab
• Cocaine rehab
• Vicodin rehab
• Marijuana rehab
• OxyContin rehab
• Crystal meth rehab

How Long Does Drug Rehabilitation Take to Complete?

Drug rehab program length varies according to a number of different factors, including the treatment style of each particular facility, and the seriousness of the individual’s condition. As a general rule, however, an individual should expect to spend no less than a full month in treatment, with the average program lasting 2-3 months. For individuals who have a long history of relapse, or have become a danger to themselves and others, long-term drug rehab may be the best course of action. These programs address many aspects of the individual’s condition in detail and can last a full year or longer before completion.

The Cost of a Drug Rehab Program

For many drug addicts, it is the cost of treatment that represents the biggest obstacle to achieving recovery. Some luxury residential drug rehab programs can cost thousands of dollars per month to attend, and even outpatient care (which may cost only a fraction of that) may be too much for a family that has seen it’s financial well-being thrown into peril as a result of drug addiction. To help offset these costs, the individual may turn to his or her insurance provider. More and more healthcare insurance companies now cover drug rehab as part of their mental health offerings. In addition, a number of top treatment centers have begun working with private lenders to help the individual break down payments into more manageable sums spread out over time. It does not remove the cost of rehab per se, but it helps individuals get back on their feet before the entire balance is due.