What Type of Drug Addiction Treatment Program Is Right for Me?
There are so many different types of treatment designed to meet the needs of people who are seeking to recover from addiction that, at first, the sheer number of choices may appear overwhelming, if not a little unnecessary. The fact is, however, that the wide range of choices in treatment denotes different levels of intensity and support that can be tailored to meet the client’s individual need. Finding the right level of care is the first step in helping to ensure that you get the tools to build a strong foundation in recovery right from the start.
Here’s what you need to know to connect with the best possible addiction treatment program for your needs.
Types of Treatment Programs
- Residential treatment: The most intensive addiction treatment program available, residential treatment offers 24-hour supervision and care. In most cases, this will include round-the-clock medical support or staff members who provide regular monitoring and can access medical care on behalf of clients as needed.
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP): A step below residential treatment in terms of intensity, a partial hospitalization program provides hospital services for addiction treatment on an outpatient basis.
- Medical detox: Medical detox is often provided as part of residential or partial hospitalization programs. The focus is on the medical care needed for stabilization and treatment of acute physical withdrawal symptoms associated with the cessation of use of the drug of choice. It can also be provided independently, but it is only effective if followed by intensive therapeutic treatment.
- Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP): Intensive outpatient treatment programs offer clients individual and group therapy on an outpatient basis. The schedule provides for time to engage in work or school and connect with family but also requires a significant time commitment from the client as well as an ongoing commitment to sobriety that is supported through random drug tests.
- Outpatient programs: If a daily, 4-5 hour per day schedule of therapeutic intervention is not needed, outpatient treatment programs provide a much less intensive yet still supportive method of treatment.
Which One Is Right for You?
How do you know if the more intensive, medium-intensive, or less demanding course of treatment is the best path for you? There are a number of different issues and circumstances that will impact your decision. Here are just a few of them as well as some of the things that can help you at least narrow down the list to a few choices that make the most sense for you:
- Insurance and finances: For many people, this is the very first question that must be answered. Though it is not effective to choose the cheapest program even if funds are tight, it is an important consideration. Choosing a “bare-bones” program may ultimately be a waste of money even if the bill is lower than other programs if it does not provide the resources and support needed to heal. If you have insurance, check with prospective programs to make sure that they will work with your insurance company before you begin the enrollment process to reduce your out-of-pocket costs as much as possible.
- Family inclusion: If you are an active caregiver for your loved one or a spouse, then it is important that the treatment program you choose includes family therapy, workshops and education, as well as support for you as you navigate the future in recovery. It will take time for your family to heal after addiction, but with the right support and treatment, it is possible if all are willing to do the work.
- Unique treatment plans: The only way that treatment will be effective is if therapies are chosen based on their ability to impact a challenge that your loved one is facing. This will require a full evaluation and assessment process up front and a unique treatment plan as well. Structured around goals that are made based on your assessment results as well as your current living and family situation, your treatment experience should help you directly face the challenges that are inhibiting your ability to stay sober and help you to forge forward in recovery.
- A range of therapies and treatments: Traditional therapies, alternative therapies, and holistic treatments all play an important role in recovery. It is important that you have access to a variety of treatment options to ensure that you find the right combination of treatments for your needs.
- Aftercare and support: Follow-up care is the only way to make sure that treatment principles can be incorporated into everyday life and become a sustainable part of the future. Without ongoing professional and peer support, it is easy to veer off course in independent living in recovery.
What type of drug addiction treatment programs do you feel are best suited to your needs? Are you ready to take steps to learn more about prospective programs and connect with the right one for you and your family?
American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.
While we are unable to respond to your feedback directly, we'll use this information to improve our online help.