Substance use has only been recognized as a disease since the late 1950’s. Since then, doctors and health workers have developed a variety of ways for individuals to break free from the clutches of addiction and live happy, healthy, meaningful lives. And that’s why today, individuals suffering from substance use disorder can seek a variety of treatments to lead them towards sobriety.
Throughout the years, experts have developed a number of recovery programs for those dealing with substance use. And because every individual has different needs when it comes to recovery, these programs focus on different aspects of the process that are most important to the individual at the present time.
Types of Recovery Programs
A recovery program is essentially a plan of action that aims to ease a person towards independence and health. They usually start at a more intensive level, gradually transitioning the individual to a flexible treatment style that allows greater flexibility. Another thing about recovery programs is that they can be different for everyone. Since no two people are the same, experts can adjust various aspects of a recovery program to better suit the needs of each individual person. In general however, there are specific types of programs that doctors use as the standard template for treatment.
Detoxification
This process of cleansing the individual of toxins hopes to address the symptoms of withdrawal. During the onset of treatment, it’s important that clients are weaned off of the substance to allow a more effective treatment process. Drugs and alcohol can cloud their judgement and sabotage the effects of the program, which is why this important first step sets the foundation for the rest of the experience. During detox, clients are managed and observed by a team of doctors and other health professionals. They may administer medication to perform medically-assisted detox where necessary, so as to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. In some cases, detox may be performed on an outpatient basis. The goal of detox is to simply begin the process of recovery by removing toxins and safely weaning the individual off of the substance. Once this is achieved, they can move on to the next phase of the program which focuses on the why’s of their addiction.
Inpatient Rehabilitation
A lot of the treatments that happen during inpatient rehab focus on the past. Counselors and therapists engage with clients in one-on-one sessions that hope to unearth the reasons for their substance use. During this time, they uncover past traumas and experiences that might have prompted the individual to see comfort in drug or alcohol use. Inpatient programs also incorporate other therapies including group counseling, family counseling, nutritional therapy, physical exercise, creative and emotive therapy, as well as recreation. They hope to target all of the different aspects of emotional, mental, and physical health to help individuals balance their lives and overcome the problems that might make them seek drugs in the first place. There are two main types of inpatient treatment and this includes inpatient rehab and residential treatment. The former tends to be more structured, resembling more of a hospital setting and providing more restrictive treatment for those who might be coming from severe addiction. Residential treatment on the other hand tends to be more comfortable, placing clients in a home-like environment where they’re free to explore and move around the property. The duration of inpatient treatment depends on each person’s needs, but they can span up to 90 days.
Outpatient Rehab
Once an individual successfully completes their inpatient program, they move on to outpatient treatment. As the name suggests, they can return to their homes by this time and simply attend sessions when they’re scheduled. Outpatient treatment programs need to make sure that clients have some level of discipline to guarantee that they aren’t tempted into gratifying their urges once they head home. There are lots of different types of outpatient treatment programs, but most of them happen in the same facilities as inpatient programs. Partial hospitalization programs require patients to attend sessions for most of their day, giving them just enough time to head home, eat, and sleep before heading out the next day for another rigorous treatment schedule. And then there’s the intensive outpatient program that’s a little less intensive than partial hospitalization. These programs may require between 3 to 6 hours of an individual’s time several days a week, providing therapy and counseling that matches their unique needs. Outpatient clients also tend to take up a recovery coaching program, however individuals can benefit from these services at any point of recovery.
Sober Living Homes
In some cases, doctors may recommend that individuals join an outpatient treatment program while living in a sober home. So what is a sober living program? This home-like setting provides clients a clean space to live, far from the temptations and triggers of their own home. They live with other individuals on the road to recovery, supporting each other towards lasting sobriety. Here, clients are allowed to come and go as they please as long as they abide by the home’s curfew rules. They’re encouraged to work and pay their own bills to give them a dry run of life on their own. There’s no limit as to how long an individual can live in a sober living home, as long as they’re careful to observe its rules.
Community Programs
Often ideal for those who have graduated from the previous programs, community programs simply provide individuals a way to ‘touch base’ and share their experiences with those who might need the encouragement. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are just a few examples of the programs in this category. The purpose of the community program is to help make sure that alumni can reconnect with those they met in recovery. The constant fellowship helps restore their motivation to stay clean, and provides the chance for them to impart their knowledge with those who might just be starting their recovery.
Something for Everyone
Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. Because everyone has different needs, this wide variety of recovery programs helps ensure that each individual gets the kind of care and guidance they need wherever they may be. Today, there are lots of recovery centers scattered throughout the country, offering a combination of these services to those hoping to stay clean. But if you’re looking for the best sober living home Dallas TX has to offer, then a visit to Lighthouse Sober Living Dallas might be the end to your hunt.
