When a person is struggling with substance abuse and an inability to stop using drugs, despite the harmful consequences, inpatient addiction treatment is usually recommended. Inpatient treatment provides people with a safe and supportive place to heal while they recover from drug addiction.
Inpatient addiction treatment is synonymous with residential drug treatment, meaning that clients live at the facility in which they are receiving treatment and recovery services. Unlike outpatient treatment services, inpatient treatment centers offer round-the-clock care and support.
Inpatient Treatment for Addiction
Substance addiction is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and continued substance use even in the face of negative consequences, like physical ailments or the loss of a job. Clinically, drug addiction is referred to as a “substance use disorder,” which means that a person might have:
- Cravings or strong, persistent desire to use substances
- Attempted to stop or control drug use unsuccessfully
- Failed to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home, due to continued substance use
- Interpersonal/relationship problems caused by recurrent substance abuse
- Reduced or given up on activities they once loved, whether social, recreational, or occupational
- Recurrent physical or psychological issues, likely caused or exacerbated by the drug use
- Developed a tolerance to the drug of choice
- Continued to use drugs in situations where it is dangerous
- Withdrawal symptoms when not using substances
If you or someone you love meets the diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder, the good news is that it is treatable. Professional treatment can be tailored to meet your individual needs, and to help you on the path to recovery. In general, those that need inpatient addiction treatment are those who:
- Do not have a supportive home environment to start the recovery process, or
- Live in a place or circumstances where they might feel pressured or tempted to use drugs, or
- Are battling a more “severe” substance use disorder, in which they are struggling with six or more of the symptoms of addiction above, or
- Are struggling with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders and therefore require specialized, dual diagnosis care, or
- Tried an outpatient treatment program, but have since relapsed
If you are in a situation that requires inpatient care, know that you are not alone. In fact, inpatient addiction treatment is a common pathway for those looking to break out of the addiction cycle. Inpatient programs provide the space, support, and resources needed not only to stop drug use, but also to establish a healthier and more productive way of living. In an inpatient rehab setting, you will benefit from 24/7 care and monitoring, whether you need clinical help or you simply would like to talk to someone. You will also be surrounded by a community of others in recovery, enabling you to build a sober support network—an essential tool for your recovery.
How Does Inpatient Treatment Work?
We know that inpatient addiction treatment can be intimidating for those just starting this journey. You likely want to know how inpatient treatment settings work, and whether this type of rehab program will work for you. These are important considerations.
As noted above, inpatient addiction treatment is a type of rehabilitation center where clients reside at the facility in which they are receiving treatment services. They benefit from a 24/7 support staff, regular supervision, a structured schedule, and dedicated sober living homes where they can safely recover. Inpatient addiction treatment programs are full-time, and can take between 30 days and one year to complete, depending on the severity of a person’s disorder.
When people think of rehab, they sometimes expect that the live-in facilities are set in stark, hospital-like environments. The truth is, inpatient treatment centers often are found in comfortable, beautiful, and serene settings where clients can feel inspired and supported throughout their recovery journey. The setting is extremely important in an inpatient treatment center, as it can affect residents’ emotional state and desire to stay in treatment. For this reason, at Turnbridge, our residences are designed to reflect beauty, security, eminence, attention-to-detail, and peace of mind—qualities we encourage our clients to see in themselves and in others.
Additionally, despite popular belief, inpatient addiction treatment does not simply include therapy and treatment services—it goes beyond clinical intervention. In an inpatient rehab program, you will also find recreational and holistic activities to keep clients engaged in treatment. You will find group activities and group therapies, designed to help clients become connected and build sober, supportive friendships. You will find gyms and sports activities to stay, as well as time set aside for mindfulness and meditation practices. At Turnbridge, residents have access to art workshops, a music studio, yoga classes, sober sports leagues, cooking lessons, and even group outings to local events, like museum visits or ski trips. The goal of these activities is to keep clients engaged in treatment, to find healthy and fun activities outside drugs and alcohol, and to build relationships with other people in the recovery process.
Inpatient addiction treatment works not only to help users overcome their addiction, but also to develop the skills and motivation needed to live a substance-free life long-term. Every inpatient treatment center is unique, but most will offer a range of treatment modalities to help clients overcome addiction and develop the skills for success. Treatment plans are usually customized for each individual client, and will vary depending on their drug of choice, how long they’ve been using, how ready they are to participate in treatment, and also factors like age, gender, and severity of addiction.
The question remains, does inpatient addiction treatment work? Inpatient addiction treatment works for many individuals, particularly those who have problematic home environments and would benefit from a safe, supportive place to start their recovery. There have been particularly high rates of success in programs that are founded on evidence-based models of care, and that offer long-term stays in treatment. As stated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Research indicates that most addicted individuals need at least 3 months in treatment to significantly reduce or stop their drug use and that the best outcomes occur with longer durations of treatment.”
Of course, every individual, and every treatment program, is unique. It is important to find an inpatient treatment center that can meet your individual needs in recovery and provide you with the resources needed to succeed.
Learn more about the components of a residential program here.
In an inpatient treatment program, you are not just getting sober. You are getting the resources and the time you need to learn how to stay and live sober. This is among the top benefits of a residential treatment program. In this type of treatment, you will learn how to become a productive person, effectively handle difficult situations, and stay on a healthy path after treatment is complete. You will learn coping mechanisms to implement on the days you are struggling, whether with stress or drug cravings. You will learn how to overcome and work past relapse triggers. And you will have sober, supportive friends to lean on or call in times of need. Inpatient addiction treatment programs provide you a community of others in recovery. You are not alone in this journey. If you would like to learn more about inpatient addiction treatment, do not hesitate to contact Turnbridge to learn more. We have residential treatment programs for young men and young women battling substance addiction as well as co-occurring mental health disorders. We are here for you.