How Does Drug Rehab Work?

If you’re considering inpatient rehab for yourself or a loved one, you might be wondering, “How do rehab centers work?”

You probably want to know more about the treatment process, and about the specific benefits that residential drug addiction treatment provides. In this blog post, we’ll go over the fundamentals of drug rehab so you can get a better feel of how residential drug treatment centers combat addiction.

Drug Rehab Therapies

Drug treatment centers use various therapies to treat drug addiction. After the initial medical detox — the period of time when you physically withdraw from the drug under medical supervision — the real work begins: therapy.

Here are some of the specific therapies used in drug rehab:

Individual psychotherapy — One-on-one counseling

Group counseling — Therapy conducted in a group setting

Family counseling — Therapy to resolve issues in your family related to your addiction

Life coaching — Advice and life skills to rebuild your life after rehab

Anger management — Therapies designed to address anger problems

Trauma resolution therapy — Therapies to heal trauma in your past

Art therapy — Therapeutic art activities

Nature therapy — Therapeutic nature activities (hiking, horseback riding, etc.)

Spiritual therapy —Therapies to address the spiritual side of your recovery

Find out about the therapies we provide at Alpine Recovery Lodge.

How Talk Therapy Treats Drug Addiction

Most of the therapies used in drug rehab involve some form of “talk therapy,” which is when you talk through the thoughts and emotions surrounding your drug addiction with a trained counselor.

Processing your underlying emotional issues with therapeutic counseling provides the following benefits:

• Helps you understand why you became addicted
• Shows you how drugs changed your behavior
• Teaches you how to deal with your problems without the help of drugs
• Teaches you how to avoid people and situations that could cause you to relapse

Learn more about how counseling and other drug rehab therapies help treat drug addiction in this government resource on the Types of Drug Treatment.

Benefits of an Inpatient Drug Treatment Center

While not all substance abuse therapies are conducted in a residential setting, inpatient (residential) treatment is more appropriate for moderate-to-severe addictions, as it takes place in a controlled setting where you do not have access to drugs.

Here are some more benefits of residential drug treatment:

• Supportive community setting
• On-hand medical/professional staff
• More intensive therapy than outpatient rehab
• Daily activities to engage you in healthy behaviors

Learn more about inpatient drug treatment benefits in our blog post The Benefits of a Supportive Residential Community.

How Long Does Rehab Take?

The length of a drug rehab program depends on various factors, not the least of which is the specific needs of the client.

For some clients, a 30-day rehab program is the ideal fit, and with aftercare (discussed below) will help them lead a clean life.

For other clients, a longer rehab program is necessary to help them get and stay clean. There are 60-day and 90-day options available to suit clients with greater needs.

Importance of Aftercare

When asking, “How does rehab work?”, one must consider aftercare as being integral to the success of the program.

In addition to the treatment you receive during your stay at rehab, it’s also necessary to receive aftercare treatment following rehab.

Subsequent to your inpatient stay, you will receive aftercare information and resources to help you continue your recovery. Without sufficient aftercare, rehab may be unsuccessful.

By following your aftercare plan — which will usually involve outpatient counseling as well as group meetings (e.g., Narcotics Anonymous meetings) — you can help prevent relapse after drug rehab.

Who Should Consider a Drug Rehab Program?

Every person’s experience is unique, and as such, there is no specific answer to this question.

However, if you’re experiencing a lack of control in your life (i.e. stealing prescription pills from loved ones), problems with friends and family, cravings for your drug of choice, or symptoms of withdrawal, it’s time to find a drug rehab program.

What’s more, you should consider a drug rehab program if you’re experiencing a lack of interest in other activities, have an increasing tolerance for your drug of choice, or find yourself in worsening situations as a result of your drug use.

Beyond that, if you’re wondering whether or not you need help or find yourself thinking “How does rehab work?”, then it’s likely time to find help.

Please contact us for more information about our drug rehab center in Utah. Using our comprehensive, holistic inpatient therapies, we’re ready to help you beat your addiction, once and for all.