Levels of Care: How to Choose the Right Rehab for Yourself or a Loved One

With countless treatment options available, it can be difficult to find the right rehab program for yourself or a loved one. While each option has its own pros and cons, some rehab programs are better suited for a person than others simply because of their individual experiences or circumstance.

How to Choose the Right Rehab Level of Care

In order to better understand what rehab will be the most effective, it is important to honestly evaluate the current state of the addiction and be realistic in determining what will help you achieve and maintain sobriety long-term. Some of the most common, most effective treatment options include:

Detox

Detox is often used as a first step in recovery and will frequently lead a person towards a more comprehensive treatment option upon completion. If you want to achieve sobriety, but you are not sure where to start, detox is the best place to begin your journey.

Under the care and supervision of medical professionals, you can begin to detox from the harmful physical and psychological effects of substances. Detox usually occurs in a medical setting where a person is under 24-hour supervision to ensure their comfort and safety. The process can last anywhere from a couple of days to multiple weeks. While a person could technically undergo detox on their own, it is not often recommended. With a medically-supervised detox, people have access to medications and treatment that can alleviate symptoms of withdrawal and reduce the risk of relapse. Without easy access to substances, there is minimal risk of a person binging on drugs or alcohol.

Detoxification is a great first step for anyone who struggles with addiction, regardless of their history. It can help clear a person’s mind and allow them to make sound decisions regarding their needs moving forward.

Residential Treatment

Residential treatment, also known as inpatient treatment, is one of the most intensive types of treatment available. This form of treatment is incredibly beneficial for those who have struggled with addiction for long periods of time or for those who need additional assistance in developing the tools to maintain sobriety long-term. What makes residential treatment so successful is its ability to provide a safe, sober environment to those needing to focus solely on their recovery.

The duration of stay can vary from person to person and may be dependent on the facility chosen. Inpatient programs providing housing, food, amenities, and access to treatment resources. Residential programs remove people from enabling peers and environments which can help many begin building a new life for themselves.

For those who struggle with the influence of stressors and triggers or for anyone who has struggled multiple times with maintaining sobriety, inpatient treatment is often recommended. Because of the duration and intensity of the program, it allows a person ample time to abstain from substance abuse, create new priorities, and develop a strong foundation to support sobriety moving forward. Residential programs are among the most effective treatment options available due to their ability to remove people from substance-abusing environments and into situations focused solely on supporting sobriety.

Partial Hospitalization

For those who need a more intensive approach to treatment but may have completed a residential program or are not able to afford the time or finances required for residential treatment, partial hospitalization can be a strong alternative. Partial hospitalizations can provide more structure than other less hands-on approaches to recovery.

Depending on the facility, a person may spend several hours multiple times a week in a facility. In these programs, clients go through detox, counseling, and other treatment options with the help of medical professionals. The difference between partial hospitalization and inpatient treatment is that those in partial hospitalization programs get to go home every night. This tends to be a more favored approach to treatment for those who may have life obligations that prevent them from entering residential treatment. It offers many of the same benefits without the long-term living arrangements of inpatient programs.

This form of treatment allows a person to have some mobility in the real world still which may require a person to be more empowered in owning their sobriety. There is still a risk of being exposed to enabling peers and environments, making it critical for a person choosing this method of treatment to be fully committed to the process.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is another effective option of treatment for a variety of people. In some cases, a person may not be able to spend extended time away from their life to enter treatment. Others may have already completed treatment and transitioned back into the real world, but they may not feel ready to take on the world alone. Outpatient is beneficial for those needing assistance with upkeep of sobriety. For those looking to achieve their independence while still staying in touch with the sober community, outpatient provides balance without being overbearing.

Outpatient programs allow a person to receive treatment in a less time-consuming way by allowing them the freedom to maintain their responsibilities while receiving care. They may spend a couple of hours a week engaged with therapy and related services in order to maintain their sobriety. Their engagement with the sober community may adjust over time depending on their individual needs, allowing a person to maintain their independence while still taking time to focus on their recovery. In an outpatient setting, they may hold jobs, go to school, take care of family, and other obligations while recovering from addiction. Sessions are scheduled based off individual needs and can be more flexible than other recovery programs.

Sober Living

For some, the thought of returning home after completing treatment can be scary. Many may find themselves in situations where they are placed in risky environments and surrounded by enabling peers. In order to protect their sobriety, it may not be in their best interest to go home. Instead, sober living homes provide a person with the safety and security of a sober environment while providing them with the opportunity to explore their independence and further develop their new, sober identity.

Sober living homes are best suited for those who have completed a treatment program and feel more secure in their recovery. Because sober living homes require residents to maintain their sobriety, it is not an environment for someone who is actively abusing substances or experiencing relapse. This is in the interest of protecting residents and ensuring the home does not derail a person’s recovery journey.

In sober living arrangements, a person can go to school, have a job, and begin reintegrating with society without fully immersing themselves in independent living. This ensures a person has a safe place to return every night in which they are surrounded by like-minded individuals also working towards the same goals. Sober living homes can provide therapy sessions, group activities, and a continuation of other services to help a person continue strengthening their sobriety while learning how to contribute in the world again.

References
addiction.com/get-help/for-yourself/treatment/treatment-options/types-treatment-programs/