Navigating the Path to Recovery: Understanding Drug Addiction Treatment Options

Addiction is a complex disease that affects every aspect of a persons life and that of their family. It is estimated that about 47 million Americans need treatment for substance use disorders; however, only a fraction of that number receive the care they need.

Addiction recovery requires individualized treatments that address the symptoms and underlying causes of the disease. Often addiction is misunderstood and seen as a choice rather than a disease. There are many types of therapy available to effectively treat addiction and understanding your options gives you a head start on your journey.

Treatment for drug and alcohol addiction takes place in several settings and at different degrees of intensity. As well as addressing the physical addiction, good treatment plans will also address the emotional, social and psychological issues directly linked to the addiction itself.

Types of Treatment Programs

Outpatient Drug Treatment Program Low to Medium Intensity

The recovering person attends about nine hours of drug addiction treatment per week at a designated facility while continuing to live at home. Services can be made available in the evenings and on weekends so people can remain in school or attend work every day.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Medium to High Intensity

This program runs about 20 hours per week, depending on the age of the person in recovery. Again services are made available on evenings and weekends to limit the impact on school or work. This option may be ideal for someone who didn’t find success with a lower-intensity treatment model or who has a co-occurring diagnosis that needs treatment.

Partial Hospitalisation Program (PHP) Medium to High Intensity

This drug addiction treatment option requires daily attendance for up to eight hours a day. Again this is a good option for people with other mental health illnesses that needs treatment. It offers a more intensive and structured treatment plan for those who cannot navigate either a fully residential program or a lower-intensity program.

Inpatient Drug Treatment Program/Rehab –  Medium to High Intensity

These programs offer a full residential option that can last up to a year depending on the severity of the addiction. These programs can offer a detox option to medically manage withdrawal symptoms which is often essential for drug addiction treatment and alcohol addiction treatment. Residential options offer highly structured programs and daily routines. Access to family can be severely restricted at certain stages or throughout the whole program. It is advisable to research this before undertaking a residential facility especially if you have children.