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What Is A Rehab Program?

As our societal opinions and medical views on addiction have evolved – bringing acceptance to what was once a much more heavily stigmatized issue – so too has how we now go about solving the problem and helping people take back control of their lives. Naturally, there is still a long way to go but with substance abuse disorders now being classed as mental health issues, there’s been a sea change in how addiction is treated.

Among the most well-known methods is a rehab program.

Rehab Programs Explained

So, what is a rehab program?

Rehab, or rehabilitation, programs are simply a systematic means by which addiction to drugs or alcohol are treated. They can range widely in the methods and modalities they pull from as well as how long they last in duration.

The end goal of any rehab program though is to ensure you finish on solid footing and on a strong foundation upon which you can carry on leading a sober life.

Different Types of Rehab Programs

Before delving into the types of rehab out there, it’s worth noting that before you start rehab, which is meant to tackle the mental side of addiction, you’d go through a process of detoxification. Detox being the process by which you rid your body of the substance and begin to break the physical addiction.

The core types of rehab can be broken down as follows:

Inpatient Programs

Also referred to as inpatient care or residential inpatient care, these programs are chiefly characterized by the fact that you live in the treatment facility. Inpatient programs are often recommended for those with the most severe and long-lasting addictions, people who are at high risk for relapse. Not only do they offer constant, 24-hour support and supervision but the highly structured nature of inpatient treatment means a person is, by design, going to be preoccupied with the work of recovery.

In residential inpatient care, you’re removed from your regular environment, no work, no school, no friends or family from back home. You’re immersed in recovery. Generally, there is a heavy weighting on psychotherapy (like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, reality therapy and psychodynamic therapy) and work with psychiatrists, licensed therapists and addiction specialists in individual and group settings as well as other complementary elements.

The idea is to examine what led you to drugs or alcohol in the first place and adopt new thought patterns and coping mechanisms so you can move forward and react to future triggers differently.

Outpatient Programs

In outpatient rehab, you’ll experience the same type of treatment as you did during your stay in an inpatient facility, the difference being that you don’t live in. For some, they will transfer from inpatient to outpatient as a way to slowly reintegrate back into day-to-day life. Others, with less intense addictions, can start with outpatient care if that’s what’s recommended.

Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient care both fall under this category as well.

Aftercare Programs

After successful completion of either an inpatient or outpatient program, continuing care is often available. Aftercare programs encompass things like sober living homes, 12-step programs and other support groups as well as continuing to go to counseling. Additionally, some rehabs have an in-house alumni program that helps you stay connected and supported with the people who helped you through treatment.

In general, part of the idea of aftercare is to stay in touch with people who understand exactly what you’re going through because not only is it nice to have like minded companionship but also it’s extremely helpful to have someone to talk to when you feel triggered or in danger of relapse.

Let Inneractions Be the Rehab for You

At Inneractions, our staff of over 25 experts is focused on delivering the most helpful intensive outpatient program we can. Our decades of combined experience mean you’re in the care of those who’ve truly seen it all and understand how to get you through it.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.