Inpatient Rehab for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Individuals who are struggling with drug and alcohol misuse or addiction may benefit from seeking evidence-based addiction treatment at an inpatient rehab program. A mainstay of modern addiction treatment, inpatient programs can provide you with around-the-clock medical supervision and a variety of behavioral therapies and medications to help curb cravings, minimize relapse potential and develop healthy coping skills to control triggers associated with your substance use disorder. Some inpatient programs may also offer treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders.  Understanding what inpatient rehab is, how it can help you overcome substance misuse, and how to find an inpatient rehab near you can help start your journey to recovery.

What is Inpatient Rehab?

Inpatient rehab, unlike its outpatient counterpart, requires patients to live on site at the rehab facility in order to participate in a structured treatment program.

Inpatient rehab is considered the formal treatment stage of the recovery process and is often preceded by detox (the initial stage where patients are medically monitored as they undergo withdrawal from the abused substance) and is usually followed by outpatient rehab.

Inpatient and residential rehab programs are two types of programs that fall under the category of “inpatient rehab”. Inpatient rehab programs generally occur in a hospital setting and tend not to last longer than one month in duration. The goal of an inpatient program is help medically stabilize the patient before they can be discharged from the hospital into an addiction treatment center.^{3, 4} Residential rehab takes place in a rehab facility or other therapeutic community setting such as a residential home that is dedicated to addiction treatment and can last from a few months to a year. ^{3, 4}

 Many inpatient rehabs focus on the psychological and behavioral aspects of addiction.³ These programs may offer a range of evidence-based behavioral therapies, and medications that aim to treat the stand-alone substance use disorder or the substance use disorder in addition to a co-occurring mental health disorder.  The specific combination of therapies you participate in while attending inpatient rehab will depend on your individual needs.

Do I Need Inpatient Rehab?

Whether or not inpatient rehab is right for you will depend on the severity of your addiction, potential for relapse, medical history, the presence of co-occurring disorders and many other factors. As stated above, many individuals most likely will need to enter a detox program before entering an inpatient rehab program for their substance use disorder.

Detox, is the initial state of rehab when drugs and alcohol are eliminated from the body, and the individual has the potential to experience painful or unsafe withdrawal symptoms.¹ When an individual is physically dependent on a substance, the body becomes used to presence of the drugs and when an individual tries to quit or cut back their usage, they are at risk of withdrawals, hence why withdrawals are often seen during the detoxification phase.

Inpatient rehab is tailored for individuals and can be an effective way to achieve and maintain recovery from substance use. Studies show that those who attend and remain in rehab for 90 days duration have the highest likelihood of maintaining and achieving recovery, in addition to the following¹:

• Decrease their participation in criminal activity
• More success in employment
• Healthy social life
• Less likelihood of a co-occurring mental health condition

When determining your needs, it’s important to consider the benefits of inpatient rehab. Specifically, its effectiveness. Many people who attend and complete an inpatient or residential rehab program are more likely to achieve and maintain recovery.¹ Furthermore, the 24/7 supervision by medical staff allows them to respond to crises as they unfold. This can result in a greater feeling of safety and comfort for both those in rehab and their loved ones. Additionally, inpatient rehab programs often assist with discharge and aftercare planning, and may be able to connect you with an outpatient rehab program to continue treatment or with support groups to help you maintain recovery.

Is There Specialized Rehab for Addiction?

Many rehab programs will conduct an evaluation upon admission in order to build a treatment plan that is specialized for one’s needs. The evaluation process will ask you about your support structure, medical history, past withdrawals, relapse potential, addiction history and will assess for any co-occurring mental health disorders. Depending on the inpatient rehab you attend, you may have access to specialized addiction treatment programs designed for minority groups. Examples of specialized inpatient addiction rehab may include:

• Gender-specific rehab for men or women.
• LGBTQ programs.
• Veterans’ programs.
• First responder’s programs.
• Adolescent and youth programs.
• Holistic rehab programs.

Can I Go to Inpatient Rehab and Detox at the Same Treatment Center?

Transitioning from detox to rehab can be made more seamless and comfortable when both services are offered within the same facility.

While it is difficult to determine the number of facilities that offer both detox and inpatient rehab services, there are more than 14,500 specialized drug treatment centers in the United States, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.² Many treatment centers offer both detox and inpatient rehab under the same roof. This can help make the transition from detox to inpatient rehab as easy as possible.

Assimilating back into your daily life without the use of drugs and alcohol is the goal of substance abuse treatment. In inpatient rehab, you begin to focus on the underlying triggers that contributed to your unhealthy relationship with drugs and alcohol and start to learn healthy coping tools to live a substance-free life. You develop insights regarding your addiction and learn effective ways to cope with stress and other emotions without using alcohol and drugs. For many people, inpatient rehab is an essential step in navigating life free from addiction. Inpatient rehab serves as a bridge between detox and outpatient therapy, meaning that after you complete inpatient rehab treatment, you most likely will enter outpatient rehab as a step-down level of care.

How to Choose an Inpatient Treatment Center

Finding the best inpatient rehab center is different for everyone. Everyone has unique needs and challenges. It is important to find an inpatient rehab that can address your specific needs. Factors to consider include:

• Your age.
• Whether you have a history of co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Your insurance coverage.
• Your history of addiction.
• Whether you require specialized services.

Many inpatient programs help patients transition to different treatment tracks, like outpatient rehab, or help them set up an aftercare program. Aftercare is an important consideration when looking for a rehab program. Aftercare occurs on an outpatient basis after you leave inpatient rehab. You and your counselor will work together to come up with a suitable and effective aftercare plan that addresses your needs once you leave inpatient rehab.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Rehab Center

It is important to feel confident and comfortable with the rehab center you choose. Common questions to ask when choosing a rehab center can include:

• What credentials and licenses does the facility have?
• How long does treatment last?
• Is 30-day rehab available?
• Are you able to see your family?
• Is rehab near me available?
• Does the facility also address co-occurring mental health issues?

How Much Does Inpatient Rehab Cost?

The cost of inpatient rehab can vary greatly depending on one’s insurance plan, where they attend rehab, how long and intense the treatment is, and other factors. As a result, there are no specific numbers on what the cost of inpatient rehab will be. If you plan on paying for rehab with insurance, it is important to speak to your insurance company to determine your coverage before committing to treatment. It’s also wise to confirm that all potential treatment facilities  are in-network with your insurance company, as this can result in lower costs. If you don’t have private insurance, treatment is still available. Many rehab centers offer scholarships or a sliding scale for their services. There are also state-funded rehab centers that accept government insurance plans or provide treatment at lower rates than most private treatment centers.

How to Find Inpatient Rehab Near Me

Once you’ve determined your treatment needs, either through your own research or by the recommendation of a physician, you’ll need to find an inpatient rehab center near you. If you need detox treatment, you may consider looking for an inpatient rehab that offers detox services, or you may attend detox at a separate treatment center before moving on to inpatient rehab. It can be beneficial to reach out to your doctor or a trusted medical professional before looking for inpatient rehab. They may be able to help you determine your medical needs and may be able to refer you to nearby rehab centers. Online tools like The SAMHSA treatment locator or detox.net’s treatment center directory can help you find an inpatient rehab center near you quickly.

If you prefer speaking with someone on the phone, there are 24/7 detox and rehab hotlines designed to answer questions about treatment like the one operated by American Addiction Centers (AAC). AAC, in addition to operating its 24/7 hotline service, is a leading provider of addiction treatment in the United States and can be reached at

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