Have you or a loved one tried quitting drugs or alcohol, only to fall into the same old habits time and time again?
Many people don’t realize that effective drug addiction treatment requires more than just quitting the substance. There are specific steps you can follow for a better chance at a successful recovery.
It’s critical to understand the drug rehab process to prevent relapse in the future.
Here we explain each step of the drug rehab process. Keep reading to learn more.
The Drug Rehab Process in Four Steps
Though individual experiences vary, when you enter an addiction rehab program, you’ll typically progress through at least four distinct phases of treatment—intake, detox, rehabilitation, and aftercare/ongoing recovery.
The recovery process is as unique as the individual and can vary in length depending on the addiction. It is important to find the best drug rehab center for your needs.
1. Determining Your Needs and Goals
An essential part of any intake process is to speak with a professional about your needs and goals and figure out what treatment options will work best for you.
Your intake assessment may include a psychological exam, a medical evaluation, and a psychosocial examination. You may also be asked about your family history of addiction and your personal drug use history.
This will help you get a personalized approach tailored to meet your needs based on your emotional and medical assessments.
2. Detoxing From Drugs and Alcohol
The next step in the treatment process involves detoxing from drugs and alcohol to clean out your system.
Withdrawal symptoms when detoxing can be severe for some people, especially those addicted to heroin and prescription opioids. Your rehab program may use medications to help relieve your withdrawal symptoms and make it easier to get through detox. You can also benefit from the added support of a trained medical team.
The detox method used in your treatment will depend on several different factors and vary from person to person.
3. Rehab and Therapy
The rehabilitation phase comes in after a successful detox. This step allows a focused approach to long-term recovery.
Two terms used frequently in the rehab process are “inpatient” and “outpatient” programs.
An inpatient program describes an intensive program where the patient stays in a rehab facility to complete the rehab process. This type of program works well for those with severe addictions and a higher chance of relapse.
An outpatient program describes a drug rehab program that the patient can complete in their own home. Some outpatient programs require patients to visit a facility a few times per week, while others are entirely online.
Recovery Delivered is an example of one of these online drug rehab programs. They sell medications like Suboxone online to help relieve patients’ withdrawals during detox.
Therapy is also a big part of rehab and can act as the foundation for your success. Through extensive therapy, you can address the underlying issues that led to your addiction in the first place. When you understand the reasons behind addiction, you can effectively address those issues to prevent turning back to drugs and alcohol.
4. Aftercare and Recovery Support
Contrary to what some may think, the recovery process is not finished after completing a rehabilitation program. In fact, aftercare and recovery support can be one of the most critical parts of the recovery process.
Recovery is a lifelong process, and building a solid plan to prevent relapse is critical. The patient can meet with their addiction therapist to help create a plan for a sober future.
Get Started on the Path to Recovery Today
The first step towards treatment is always the hardest. Follow these steps along with therapy and support from medical professionals to beat drug addiction and start rebuilding your life.
If you want to read more tips about rehab and addiction, check out the rest of our blog today!
