Addictionis an issue that affects many of us. At least 10% of adults in the United States will experience substance abuse disorder at some point in their lives. Of those who do experience addiction, about 75% of them go untreated.
We can changethe overwhelming number of folks who go without recovering when we learn more about what support is out there and how we can help. This article will explore inpatient rehab, explaining how it works, what to expect, how to find a rehab center and ways to support someone who needs help.
How to Stay Sober
What Is Inpatient Rehab?
Inpatient rehab is a type ofrehabilitation programdesigned to help those experiencing addiction to drugs and alcohol heal andquit using. Inpatient rehab, also known as residential rehab, is a place where 24-hour care and supervision are available.
The intensity of support offered in inpatient rehab makes this a treatment option recommended for severe cases of substance abuse or if an individual is experiencing both substance abuse and another mental health disorder.
Contact with the world outside the rehab can be minimal when staying at an inpatient rehab. While visitors may be welcome during certain hours, it isn’t uncommon for residents to not have access to their personal cell phones. In addition, strict protocols are in place to ensure those receiving treatment can focus on recovery without distractions or outsidetriggering events.
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Who Should Go to Inpatient Rehab?
Those who enter inpatient rehab are individuals struggling with substance abuse disorder or substance misuse. Substance abuse disorder is a type of mental illness where an individual cannot control their use of mind-state-altering substances and, in turn, notice their executive functioning, relationships, and lifestyle are negatively impacted.
Some mental health disorders, likeADHDandbipolar, commonly co-occur with substance abuse disorder. However, other mental health disorders, likedepressionoranxiety, are also common, and can complicate recovery. Such co-occurring conditions can be most easily treated when someone undergoes inpatient rehabilitation for a substance abuse disorder.
Substance misuse is an umbrella term referring to misusing substances to the point of detrimental consequences. Substance misuse can be a precursor to substance abuse disorder. However, it is important to note that substance misuse, even if not identified as a full-blown addiction, can be just as detrimental to one’s health, wellness, and overall lifestyle. Furthermore, substance misuse can causeharm to othersthrough the risky behavior that can follow—for example, drunk driving afterbinge drinking.
How Does Inpatient Rehab Work?
An inpatient rehabilitation stay tends to begin with a medically managed detox period. This is a period where one can start to detox from the substances they’ve been abusing under close medical supervision.
Some timessubstance withdrawals can be very dangerous. As such, ensuring the individual has access to care constantly is incredibly important. The withdrawal period typically lasts between 3 to 7 days, depending on the substance. After withdrawing, the individual may be in a residential inpatient center a month or longer.
Once the inpatient rehab stay is complete, it is common for folks to then be referred to outpatient rehab. Depending on the circumstances, one may be referred to asober living housewhile participating in outpatient programming.
Many programs will also rely on 12-step programs such asAlcoholics Anonymous.
Outpatient rehab is a treatment that meets multiple times a week for a few months. Then, slowly, treatment is tapered to a few times a month once the individual has achieved alevel of comfort in their sobrietywhere they can move from intensive care to maintenance care.
Hypnosis as a Therapeutic Tool
How Do I Know If I Need to Go to an Inpatient Rehab?
If it is impossible to abstain from substance use, you fear intense withdrawals, despite many attempts, it is impossible to quit using, and your day-to-day functioning is severely impaired, it may be time to consider rehab options.
As previously mentioned, folks who have been unable to maintain sobriety through alternative means are referred to inpatient rehab. If you haven’t tried12 Step Meetingsandoutpatient programming, those may be the first places you want to start when seeking help.
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How to Find an Inpatient Rehab
Finding an inpatient rehab facility can be an expensive and daunting journey, especially when already navigating emotional turmoil. But, don’t letfinancesor the task of finding support stop you – help is available.
If you don’t haveinsurance, they will refer you to the state-funded programs in your area. They can also provide information on what to expect in your recovery journey, further resources, and education for family and friends. You can contact them at 1-800-662-HELP.
Going to Your First 12-Step Meeting
Supporting Someone Who Needs Help
If someone you love is experiencing addiction, it may be worth looking into inpatient rehab options. There may be a concern that your loved one will not want to go to rehab. If this is the case, consider reaching out to alicensed mental health professionalfor guidance. They can offer insight and can help you relate to your loved one in ways that can lead them to seek help, following theCRAFT method.
If you find that your relationship with someone misusing substances is beginning to cause emotional turmoil that stunts your daily functioning, consider bolstering your support network.Al-Anonis a 12-step program created for the friends and families of alcoholics. This program offers peer support, a safe space to be heard, and an opportunity to learn more about addiction.
3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health (NIH).10 percent of US adults have drug use disorder at some point in their lives.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); Office of the Surgeon General (US).Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health.Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services; 2016.McLellan AT.Substance misuse and substance use disorders: why do they matter in healthcare?Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 2017;128:112-130.
3 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health (NIH).10 percent of US adults have drug use disorder at some point in their lives.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); Office of the Surgeon General (US).Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health.Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services; 2016.McLellan AT.Substance misuse and substance use disorders: why do they matter in healthcare?Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 2017;128:112-130.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institutes of Health (NIH).10 percent of US adults have drug use disorder at some point in their lives.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); Office of the Surgeon General (US).Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health.Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services; 2016.McLellan AT.Substance misuse and substance use disorders: why do they matter in healthcare?Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 2017;128:112-130.
National Institutes of Health (NIH).10 percent of US adults have drug use disorder at some point in their lives.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); Office of the Surgeon General (US).Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health.Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services; 2016.
McLellan AT.Substance misuse and substance use disorders: why do they matter in healthcare?Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 2017;128:112-130.
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