Intensities Of Alcohol And Drug Treatment Programs

Before entering any drug or alcohol treatment program, it is neccesary to determine how severe the problem is; that will determine the appropriate care level. Several different levels of drug and alcohol treatment exist much the same as different levels of care exist for any health problem.

Here are some different levels of care:

Intervention with Brief Therapy

These brief courses of treatment can be very effective. An example might be a medical doctor discussing the effects of drinking or drugging during a visit. Someone who racks up their first DUI while on a holiday binge but who has not yet established a history of drug and alcohol abuse is a good candidate for this level of treatment. The intervention is the arrest, the brief therapy an alcohol education program.

Alcohol and Drug Detoxification

Detox is not really therapeutic treatment for alcohol or drugs. Rather, it aims to ensure the safety of an intoxicated person and to de-escalate the intoxification. As soon as the patient is stable they will generally be releasedOnce safe stabilization has occurred, they sre released either home or to another level of care. For acute and long term cases of addiction, medically supervised detox is strongly recommended, since there is the risk of seizures. Detox may be required before entering treatment proper.

Outpatient Services

Out-patient programs are non-residential treatment, they usually consist of a combination of individual therapy along with group sessions. Due to cost factors outpatient therapy can run for a longer period of time for less cost to the patient than residential inpatient treatment.Outpatient treatment can benefit those who have problem usage patterns but are not yet genuinely dependent.

Intensive Outpatient Program

Again, non-residential and, as is implied, a more intense level of treatment than standard outpatient. 14-20 hours a week of both group and individual therapy weekly can be expected at this level. Often, IOP programs are used as a follow up to inpatient treatment, allowing home residence while maintaining a high level of treatment.

Inpatient Treatment

Most people think of this when the term 'drug rehab is mentioned. These are residential programs, usually lasting anywhere between a month and a year. This is the most intensive form of drug addiction treatment. Inpatient drug and alcohol treatment centers can generally address other issues associated with chronic alcohol and drug use, holistically addressing the mind, body and spirit.

Now, I’ll admit that as an addiction therapist, I am not an unbiased observer. I recommend the highest level of care possible that fit the diagnosis chemically dependent. It is much wiser not to underestimate the problem.However, these facilities can be expensive and are not covered by most health insurance policies.

It is crucial that the level of care match the specifics of the patients problems and drug and alcohol rehab.

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