What Does Addiction Treatment Look Like?

  Most people unfortunately know a friend or loved one with an addiction of some kind. Trying to love someone with an addiction is really hard, but with support at Clear Recovery Center, you can help them break the cycle of addiction and help them return to the best version of themselves. That being said, even when addicts want to be treated, they can get scared off or overwhelmed by the idea of treatment. People are inherently afraid of the unknown, and it’s easy for someone to keep side-stepping their path to recovery out of fear. Many people who love addicts feel the same way about treatment – they don’t want to send loved ones to places where they’ll be hurt or unhappy. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help outline some of the basics of common types of addiction treatment.

Inpatient Versus Outpatient Treatment

There are two widely known forms of treatment for addiction, which are inpatient and outpatient treatment. The main difference between these two forms of treatment is where they take place. Inpatient treatment traditionally is performed in a hospital, or other medical facility where patients live full-time. Outpatient treatment is a form of treatment where patients live at home while they receive counseling and other services in regular appointments that fit into their existing schedule. Different programs work for different people. Although, traditionally most people suffering from addiction start with a period of inpatient treatment and, when feeling stronger, transition to outpatient treatment. However, some people only proceed with outpatient treatment. This approach can be successful if the addicted person has a strong community support network that can help them maintain their recovery plan, like live-in spouses or parents. Deciding what style of treatment is best may depend on factors like cost, location, family circumstances, and so on. However, when making this decision, a doctor or other medical professional (like an addiction counselor) should always be consulted.

Group Versus Individual Therapy

Another common element of recovery treatment is therapy. Therapy can come in many forms, and can be administered in a group setting or on an individual basis. Most inpatient full-time treatment centers will require a mix of the two. For outpatient treatment, patients can choose to work alone with a professional, in a group setting with a professional and other recovering patients, or some combination of both. As outpatient treatment is typically done later in the process of recovery, patients are able to make informed decisions about what works for them. Individual and group therapy can achieve different results, and have varied goals. Nonetheless, the two styles often work in harmony. At the start of a patient’s recovery they may enter both types of treatment. One benefit of group therapy is that it allows patients to see they’re not alone in their struggle. Individual therapy allows patients to address specific concerns with less inhibitions than they might in a room full of people. They can also develop a closer rapport with their therapist and receive their full attention. Just as when choosing inpatient or outpatient treatment, different patients and their families also have to contend with factors like cost and availability of services in order to choose what’s right for them. Again, a medical professional’s opinions should help inform the choice for treatment, however, forms of therapy can be more down to individual preference.

Final Thoughts

In the end, finding treatment that an addicted person will continue is the most important thing. Supporting the person on the road to recovery can be hard, but it’s important to continue doing it to help them succeed. The path from addiction to recovery can be long and complicated, but with support and the guidance of medical professionals, anyone can beat their addiction.