The effects of drugs and alcohol cause much despair in one’s physical, mental, and emotional health. For these reasons, people try to control, refrain, or completely abstain from substances.
Self-help books, exercising, finding new hobbies, and simply quitting cold turkey are just a couple of ways people try to get over substance issues. For some, these may work.
However, there are those who have a substance use disorder. This means they cannot control their drinking and may require medical treatment and ongoing treatment to stay recovered.
Treatment options for a substance use disorder include:
- detoxification centers
- outpatient and inpatient drug rehab
- aftercare services, such as 12-step group meetings and sober living homes
Entering a rehabilitation center has benefits that aid in the recovery process, but it might not be right for everyone. Below we’ll discuss a few of the pros and cons of entering a rehabilitation center.
How Effective Is Rehab?
Determining how effective drug addiction treatment is can be difficult. This is because what exactly constitutes a “rehab” isn’t entirely clear, and “treatment” is an umbrella term used for many types of treatment options. So, statistics on rehab success rates can be unclear.
What is clear is that the United States has a substance use disorder issue. More than 20 million Americans have substance use disorders.
Substance abuse is a medically diagnosed disorder, so long-term treatment is the best way to recover. This is similar to other mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression.
The most comprehensive form of treatment is inpatient rehabilitation. These drug rehab centers provide patients with 24/7 medical, therapeutic, and recovery-based care.
Let’s explore the benefits and potential negatives of an inpatient program.
Pros of Going to Rehab
Inpatient rehabilitation centers are usually reserved for those with longer histories of substance use. A person in rehab may have experienced substantial financial, relational, and health consequences due to continued drug use.
In these programs, patients live onsite for an extended amount of time, usually between one to six months.
Patients can expect:
- round-the-clock medical supervision and monitoring
- individual, group, and family therapy
- specialized care based on a careful evaluation and assessment
- if needed, medication-assisted treatment to help relieve short term and long-term withdrawal symptoms
- education on how substance abuse works on the brain and body
- a set schedule that creates time management skills and brings a sense of normalcy to a once chaotic lifestyle
- a close circle of fellow sober friends who can act as a support system
- exposure to aftercare services, such as 12-step group meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous
- removal of everyday stressors, such as work and toxic relationships
- an inability to obtain drugs and alcohol
- dual diagnosis treatment for those with co-occurring mental health disorders
In general, the point of an inpatient rehabilitation center is to fully change the mind, body, and spirit of someone with a substance use disorder.
What these programs reveal is that substance use disorders usually stem from deep-seated trauma, family drug history, or fear of living a sober life. Therefore, inpatient programs can show someone how to go through the ups and downs of life without a substance crutch.
Cons of Going to Rehab
Inpatient rehabilitation centers aren’t perfect and sometimes won’t work for certain people. One of the biggest challenges some patients face is transitioning back to the real world after completing treatment.
Since inpatient programs are so structured and all-encompassing, it can be hard for some to get back to making their own schedules, finding employment, and facing triggers on a daily basis.
Some become too sheltered in the inpatient format, and can’t readjust to normal life. They may become overstimulated or stressed with life and relapse.
Another potential con involves staffing. A disconnection between patients and the staff can make time in an inpatient program lonely and ineffective. If a patient only obtains physical sobriety and nothing else, after a stay in rehab, there is a chance of a relapse.
And finally, rehabilitation can be quite costly. With the average cost of inpatient treatment totaling anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000, this can be a major barrier to treatment for those without proper insurance coverage.
Finding The Right Rehab For You
There are ways to make the best out of a rehabilitation stay. While talking to a potential facility, feel free to inquire about which type of patients they usually work with.
This can be as specific as:
- gender
- substance use choice
- age
- if they specialize in trauma-informed care
- if they specialize specifically with individuals in the LGBTQ+ community
- veteran care
The confidentiality of patients is always of primary concern, but some rehabs pride themselves on working with individuals of a certain demographic.
You can also ask if they provide access to aftercare services, such as sober living homes and 12-step group meetings. These types of treatment centers make the transition from inpatient rehabilitation to normal life much easier.
Thank you for reading.
