| Before we look for a drug rehab or alcohol treatment | | | | appropriate for a person whose use is starting to |
| program, we have to look at the level of care needed | | | | cause problems, but is not yet dependent |
| and assess the severity of the problem. Just as there | | | | Intensive Outpatient Program - This is non residential |
| are various levels of use of mood altering drugs, there | | | | but generally consists of 16-20 hours of group and |
| are various levels of treatment avaialable. Within each | | | | individual therapy per week. Insurance is more likely to |
| clarification there are variances of cost, and length of | | | | cover this form of treatment rather than inpatient |
| treatment. Here are some levels of care and | | | | treatment. This is less costly than residential, but is |
| examples of what may be appropriate for a situation. | | | | appropriate for a person with full dependency. |
| Brief Therapy/Intervention - This is usually a very short | | | | Outpatient programs may be used as a 'step down' |
| duration program, but can be very effective. Perhaps | | | | after completing residential treatment |
| a person who really is not involved with alcohol over | | | | Inpatient Treatment - This is your classic 'drug rehab'. It |
| does it one time on a birthday or New Years and is | | | | is residential and the programs generally consist of a |
| caught on their first DUI. They may be mandated to | | | | full day of activities and may last from 4 weeks to a |
| attend alcohol classes where education is provided for | | | | year. It is the most intense form of treatment and |
| a few weeks. | | | | these facilities are usually equipped to handle additional |
| Detoxification - The idea that detox is drug treatment | | | | global problems associated with addiction such as |
| is a common misconception. The purpose of a 'Detox' | | | | mental health, physical, emotional and spiritual areas. |
| is to safely monitor and de-escalate an incident of | | | | I am definitely biased. That being said, I would |
| intoxification. Generally, as soon as you are medically | | | | recommend inpatient treatment for anyone with |
| stable (which is not recovery treatment) you are | | | | addiction or chemical dependency. The primary |
| dismissed from the hospital or facility. Supervised | | | | advantage is that the evidence is clear that a longer |
| detox is recommended for long term alcohol or | | | | exposure to treatment increases the probability of a |
| benzodiazepine (Xanax, Ambien etc) users as the risk | | | | good outcome. One disadvantage is that inpatient |
| of seizures exists. This may be a required first step | | | | treatment can be costly and insurance generally does |
| before entering treatment. | | | | not cover it. |
| Outpatient Program - This is non-residential treatment | | | | The important thing is to get a proper professional |
| usually consisting of attending a therapy group and/or | | | | assessment so you can be matched with an |
| individual counseling once or twice/week. This may be | | | | appropriate level of care. |