Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs

People struggling with drug or alcohol abuse may be interested in seeking rehab treatment to help them start their journey to recovery. A drug rehab center typically offers different treatments and interventions that can help people become sober, avoid relapse, and live healthier and more productive lives.¹ There are many different types of rehab facilities, including inpatient or outpatient drug rehab and mental health facilities, that can address not just addiction but any co-occurring psychiatric disorders you may have as well.²  Understanding the different types of rehab and knowing how to find substance abuse treatment centers near you can help you get started on the recovery process.

What Is Rehab?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), rehab treatment for substance abuse provides a way for people to stop compulsive substance misuse and return to productive functioning in their families, work lives, and communities.^{3, 4} Rehab can teach you how to successfully manage addiction and prevent relapse.² While individual outcomes can vary based on different factors, such as your unique medical needs, the extent of your substance use disorder, the types of treatment you receive, and your relationship with treatment providers, rehab can be an effective way for you to begin the path to recovery.⁴ 

Treatment at a rehabilitation center for drugs and alcohol may involve different forms of behavioral counseling or medications (when indicated), or a combination of both.^{3 2nd par. and yellow box, 4 top} Effective, evidence-based treatment involves a tailored, individualized approach that addresses all of a person’s unique medical, psychological, social, vocational, and legal needs.⁵ Many effective treatment programs also consider one’s age, gender, ethnicity, and culture.⁵

It’s important to note that nearly 6 out of 10 people who struggle with addiction also have a co-occurring psychiatric condition, such as depression, PTSD, or anxiety.⁶ Research shows that integrated treatments, such as those offered by specific dual diagnosis tracks, can be effective for people struggling with these co-occurring mental health disorders.⁶ Those uncertain of whether or not they have a mental health disorder may benefit from having an evaluation with a qualified healthcare provider. They can then pursue appropriate dual diagnosis treatment options.

Types of Rehab Programs for Addiction

People may participate in many different types of rehab programs throughout the course of treatment.² These programs can take place in various settings. According to the NIDA, most programs will start with detox and medically managed withdrawal, followed by some form of structured treatment to address the psychological, social, and behavioral issues related to addiction.⁷ Depending on your unique needs, rehab can involve one or a combination of the following types of treatment, including:²

• Detox.
• Inpatient rehab.
• Residential rehab.
• Outpatient rehab.

It’s also important to note that recovery doesn’t end once you complete a formal rehab program. Many people participate in some form of lifelong aftercare, which can include different supportive measures such as individual counseling or mutual support groups, to help prevent relapse and maintain sobriety.⁸ 

Medical Detox

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) explains that detox involves a set of interventions that are designed to help manage acute intoxication and withdrawal.⁹ People who are dependent on substances may experience different withdrawal symptoms that can range from mildly uncomfortable to severe or even life-threatening.⁹  Detox provides a way of helping people through withdrawal, but it is often just the first step in the complete continuum of care.⁹ Detox, and specifically medical detox, can help minimize the harm caused by substance use and help you return to a medically stable state so that you can enter formal treatment.⁹ 

SAMHSA points out that people who are withdrawing from alcohol, sedative-hypnotics (like benzodiazepines), or opioids should enter a hospital or another form of 24-hour medical detox due to safety concerns and to minimize needless suffering.⁹ Depending on the substance you use, medical detox can provide medication to minimize withdrawal symptoms.⁹  Medical detox also offers supervision and other supportive measures to help you remain as safe and comfortable as possible as you go through the withdrawal process.⁹

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab is typically a medically managed, short-term form of rehabilitative care that takes place in a hospital or another acute care setting.² Inpatient rehab can be useful for many people, such as those who have significant medical or psychiatric concerns or who have serious addictions and require a high level of care and supervision.^{2, 10}During inpatient rehab, you live at a treatment facility and receive 24/7 care in a highly structured environment that removes outside distractions so you can fully focus on recovery.¹¹ Treatment at an inpatient rehab can last anywhere from several days to a few weeks or months.^{2, 7} 

The terms inpatient and residential treatment are sometimes used interchangeably but they are not typically considered to be the same thing.⁷ Residential rehab can be short-term in some cases, but is usually a longer-term form of care that takes place in a nonhospital treatment setting.^{7, 11} It can last several months to a year. Individuals who enter a rehab setting, as opposed to an inpatient treatment setting usually do not have severe underlying medical conditions that need to be addressed.^{7 , 11}

Outpatient Rehab

An outpatient rehab is a form of treatment where you live at home and can continue to work, attend school, and participate in other activities of daily life.² You’ll travel to a rehab facility on a regular schedule for treatment.² Outpatient rehab can involve different intensities and levels of care, such as highly supportive and structured partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) that can require treatment for several hours per day most days of the week, or less supportive standard outpatient treatment programs that may only require you to attend treatment 1-3 times per week.^{2, 11} Treatment at an outpatient facility typically lasts anywhere from a few months to a year.²

How to Pay for Rehab

There are many ways to pay for rehab, including one or more of the following methods:^{12, 13}

• Private insurance.
• Public insurance, such as Medicare, Medicaid, or VA insurance.
• Paying out of pocket or using savings.
• Loans and scholarships.
• Asking whether the facility offers a sliding scale fee based on your ability to pay.

The cost of treatment can vary widely depending on several factors, including your type of insurance plan, the length and intensity of your treatment program, whether you attend treatment in-network or out-of-network, and the types of amenities offered by the rehab facility. It’s important to check your insurance coverage before committing to treatment.

How to Find Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers Near Me

Many treatment centers across the United States offer various types of substance abuse treatment.^{2 top} You can ask your physician for a referral to a drug rehab program, or you can use SAMHSA’s treatment locator to search for a treatment center near you. American Addiction Centers (AAC) operates a free, confidential, 24/7 rehab helpline that you can call at to ask any questions or discuss your concerns about treatment. When you’re ready to reach out, our caring admissions navigators can help you find drug and alcohol treatment centers near you that are suited for your unique needs.