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What Is Inpatient Rehab? A Simple Guide

There’s nothing worse than watching someone you love wasting away in the grip of addiction. You’re not alone though, over 21 million Americans suffer from some type of substance abuse disorder.

The good news is that recovery is a real possibility for those who get treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. If you’d like to find help for someone close to you, you’re probably wondering, “How does rehab work and what is inpatient rehab vs outpatient rehab?”.

While different types of treatment work best for different addicts, inpatient rehab is the best option for most people. Is it a good option for your friend or family member? Find out here.

What Is Inpatient Rehab?

Inpatient rehab is an intensive form of addiction treatment. The patients live on the premises of the rehab center for a specified time while undergoing intensive rehabilitation therapy. 

During this time, your contact with the outside world’s limited and you remain at the rehab center 24/7 until you’ve completed the program.  This could be a time frame of anything from three weeks to several months. 

By contrast, outpatient rehab allows patients to continue with their daily lives. They’ll need to attend regular therapy sessions and undergo medical observation.

Treatment Offered at Inpatient Rehabilitation Centers

The first step in any inpatient drug program or alcohol recovery plan is detoxification. During this phase, patients can experience severe withdrawal symptoms. They’ll receive psychological counseling and/or medication to help them cope with this stage.

Once all probability of medical risk has passed, the patient enters into the mainstream treatment offered at the center. This includes individual as well as group therapy with qualified, experienced counselors. 

Some rehab centers embrace a 12-step program of recovery. Others base their methods on cognitive behavioral therapy. 

Daily Life in a Treatment Center

There’s a high emphasis on both physical as well as mental health during treatment. Meals are nutritionally-balanced and dished up three times a day.

Counselors encourage healthy activities like walking, swimming, and gym. There’s also an emphasis on hobbies and other diversions to help break the routine. 

Check out pages like this one about getting to know more about Oasis Recovery Center, for more information about substance abuse inpatient rehab. Alternatively, you can contact AA or NA for more advice.

Life After Rehab

While in residence, patients undergo intensive sessions to help them reintegrate into society. They learn valuable coping skills to help prevent relapse and encourage ongoing self-care.

Some rehabilitation centers offer the option to enter outpatient treatment at a halfway house once the program’s completed. This means the recovering addict stays at a sober-living facility for a while before going back to their daily routine.

Other types of outpatient treatment include regular therapy sessions. Group therapy like NA and AA meetings is another popular option.  

Getting the Help You Need

If you’re still wondering, ‘what is inpatient rehab going to do for my loved one?’, the answer’s a simple one. It’ll give them a chance to regroup, reconsider, and get the best care possible to get them on the road to recovery. 

Whether you’re looking for answers to complex issues like this, or just need some help to make it through daily challenges, keep reading. Our blog’s filled with useful advice on a wide range of topics.