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How Does Drug Rehab Work?

Woman clasps hands together as she wonders how drug rehab works

When you or a loved one struggles with addiction, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Will residential or outpatient treatment work? What is drug rehab? How does drug rehab work?

A drug rehab center is a facility devoted to treating addiction. Many drug rehab centers offer different environments, levels of care, and treatment methods. Vertava Health provides an array of treatments at our drug rehab center. Call 844.470.0410 to learn more about the purpose of rehab. Perhaps it can help you or a loved one heal and attain the life you deserve.

What Is Drug Rehab?

So, what is drug rehab? Drug rehab is a comprehensive treatment program that addresses the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of someone struggling with addiction. It can include residential or outpatient treatment, depending on your unique needs and situation.

A residential drug rehab center provides a place for someone to live while receiving addiction treatment on-site. It removes people from triggers in everyday life. Residential facilities often provide a home-like feel so recovering individuals feel comfortable during their stay. The primary benefit of residential addiction treatment is that it immerses someone in the healing process. Everything they do is related to recovery. Through daily therapy and sober free time, they learn to replace substance use with healthier habits.

An outpatient drug rehab center provides addiction treatment but not housing. There are several levels of outpatient care, including:

  • Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
  • Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)
  • Outpatient rehab programs
  • Substance use counseling

Each level requires less of a time commitment. Generally, outpatient addiction treatment takes place several days a week for a few hours each day. The time frames may be flexible, allowing the recovering individual to continue working or going to school while in treatment. Some individuals struggle with outpatient care. Living at home keeps them near people or places that support substance use. Outpatient programs tend to be most effective as part of a continuum of care that begins with inpatient rehab. An inpatient facility may offer outpatient care as a transition phase.

How Does Drug Rehab Work?

The goal of drug rehab is to help someone overcome addiction. It should heal the mind and body from the effects of addiction as well as teach the individual how to live without substance use. The best drug rehab programs begin with a comprehensive assessment to make a personalized treatment plan. Everyone has a different experience with addiction and unique needs in recovery. Drug rehab may start with detox, especially for individuals who have a physical dependence on drugs or alcohol. Detox rids the body of addictive substances but does not treat addiction (often a mental health issue at its core). During addiction treatment, a person undergoes various therapies. Therapy helps them work through issues that cause substance use and learn a healthier way of life. By replacing drug or alcohol use with positive alternatives, an individual can resist relapse after treatment. Therapies used in drug rehab may include:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Dialectical behavior therapy
  • Music lessons
  • Art therapy
  • Sports and recreation
  • Yoga
  • Tai Chi

Some drug rehab centers offer dual diagnosis treatment, which provides care for people who suffer from other mental disorders along with addiction. Mental issues often lead to substance use and are made worse by addiction. Dealing with both issues at once is essential to preventing relapse.

Will Drug Rehab Work for Me?

Whether or not drug rehab works depends on several factors. A person must be willing to fully participate and allow the program to change their way of life. The rehab program that they choose must fit their needs and provide adequate time for them to heal. Under these circumstances, many people are successful in completing a drug rehab program and go on to live a substance-free life. However, some people experience relapse despite drug rehab. They may drop out of the program early or find that returning to “normal” life is too difficult without drugs or alcohol.

Recovery is a lifelong process that requires one to be mindful of their thoughts and actions. Many people need continued care to maintain sobriety. Substance use counseling or support groups remind people of the coping skills they learned in treatment and how addiction negatively affects them.

Choosing A Drug Rehab Center

Reputable drug rehab centers are run by trained professionals who specialize in substance use and addiction. Some offer one-size-fits-all treatment programs, which don’t work for most people. For the best chance of recovery success, a person should look for a drug rehab center with the following:

  • Personalized treatment programs
  • A variety of therapy options
  • Treatment types that fit their needs
  • A comfortable environment
  • A continuum of care, including aftercare

It may seem sensible to choose a drug rehab center based on cost or location. While these are important factors, they should not be the only things that make the decision. A poorly run facility with standardized treatment is unlikely to help someone beat addiction for good.

Contact Vertava Health Today

At Vertava Health, we offer residential and outpatient treatment programs for people ready to make a positive change in their lives. To learn more about our services or enroll in one of our drug rehab programs, contact us online or at 844.470.0410. A brighter future is possible. Everyone deserves to be happy and healthy. Learn more about how a drug rehab can help you or a loved one heal and grow.