What Are Addiction Treatment Centers?

Effective addiction treatment centers address all the factors that contribute to a person’s dependence on drugs, alcohol, or behaviors. Because the circumstances and physical makeup of each person vary, treatment centers must be able to design individualized programs that put the patient in the best position for recovery.  When these programs properly incorporate behavioral, psychological, and medical methodologies, the patient stands an excellent chance to be able to recover and regain control of his or her life.

Treatment options

Drug and alcohol rehabilitation falls into some combination of short or long-term therapy and inpatient or outpatient programs. For substance abuse, long-term, in-patient care has the greatest chance of success and enrollment in one does not have to be voluntary in order to be effective.  These programs may utilize any of a number of models, including scientific/medical, behavioral, theological, or holistic philosophies, or employ a combination of them.

Inpatient residential programs

For those whose addiction is severe, inpatient residential programs are perhaps the most effective means to rehabilitation. The length of a residential rehab program varies depending on the patient and the methods employed at the treatment center, and usually last from thirty days to a year. Most residential centers use a combination of behavioral modification and medication (if needed or applicable) treatment. A key focus in a patient’s recovery involves changing the perception of drugs and gaining an understanding of how environment and personal habits contribute to abuse.

Among the different types of inpatient treatment centers available are

·         Adolescent/Young Adult

·         Older Adult

·         Christian (or other theological basis) drug rehab

·         Gender/Ethnic Specific

·         Therapeutic Boarding School

·         Health Spa/Recovery Retreat

Each of these offers an approach and perspective that addresses certain issues, conditions, and preferences for patients, in an effort to create a more comfortable environment that is conducive to improving the chances of recovery. This is by no means and complete list, and as understanding about the nature of addiction and its treatment increases, more advanced therapies are developed. There are in-depth articles on each of the above programs (as well as others) elsewhere on this site.

No matter what type of treatment center is chosen, there are certain processes that each employ. At the beginning of treatment, there is a period of detoxification, under medical supervision, to wean the body from the substance in question. Following that, psychological profiles are developed to help the staff of the treatment center understand all aspects of the patient’s life and circumstances in order to better facilitate the development of an effective treatment program. After completion of the patient’s therapy, he or she is referred to an after-care program to guard against relapse and a return to the destructive behaviors.

 

Whether long or short term, treatment centers are invaluable in helping people struggling with addiction regain control of their lives. At The Way Out Recovery, we have compiled an exhaustive database of treatment facilities and are prepared to help you find the one that meets your needs, and can help you or your loved one return to a normal life.