Taking the major step to seek help for Substance Use Disorder can be a life-altering decision; yet determining how, and where you seek treatment can make all the difference. Usually, the choice is between outpatient care or residential rehab, with the difference being whether you prefer to do a less intensive program where you continue to reside at home and go to work or school, or opting for a fully immersive approach that entails committing to a minimum of 4 weeks at an on-site facility. While both approaches have their merits, ultimately, it’s up to the individual to decide what will best work for them. Here is a checklist of 5 benefits you will get if you choose to enroll in a residential rehab program such as the one offered by The River Rehab or by any other world-class treatment center that may be near you.
Intensive Focus on Recovery
One of the best benefits of residential treatment is the ability to remove yourself from all the everyday stressors and temptations of life and fully focus on recovery in a supportive environment. Once separated from the people and places that may trigger you to use, you can put all your effort and energy into what it takes to live a sober life. While in treatment your days will be structured, and you will have the opportunity to focus on your psychological, physical and spiritual healing far away from the distractions of everyday life.
24-7 Support & Medical Supervision
When you opt for an in-patient rehab you gain access to an experienced and qualified team of compassionate professionals who will take care of your needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Many people suffering with substance use disorder go through withdrawal and require a supervised medical detox. While alcohol detox can be particularly dangerous*; heroin and opiate detox is rarely fatal, yet the withdrawal process is extremely uncomfortable. Residential rehab allows you to be in a safe, secure and medically supervised space where you transition through this crucial stage of recovery. You can access other services such as physical therapy, health and nutrition, relapse prevention, aftercare, and creative recovery solutions for optimizing your life and maintaining long term recovery.
Safe Environment
All rehab centers have a “zero-tolerance” policy for drugs and/or alcohol on their premises, and this sober environment is unique to residential rehab. They make it utterly impossible to have access to drugs or alcohol in those early stages of recovery which are often the stage where patients are most prone to relapse. Not only will you be away from temptations, but you have the opportunity to get the emotional support you need from other recovering people and will be able to benefit from the kind of accountability that is the cornerstone of residential treatment.
Integrated Approach to Nutrition, Fitness & Wellness
Inpatient rehabs understand the vital link between overall health, wellness, and nutrition during the recovery process. Once the patients stop abusing their bodies with harmful substances, they can then begin to reclaim their physical health with activities such as swimming, yoga, meditation, tai-chi, pilates, cycling, walking, and full body massage to help get their life in balance. Fitness training not only builds strength and relieves stress, but also increases stamina while providing a solid foundation overall health. Residential rehab allows you to work in tandem with a team of nutritionists, fitness coaches, and medical practitioners to gain the physical and mental strength needed to support you throughout the recovery process.
Intensive Substance Use Therapy
The main focus of residential treatment is always to “dig deep” and address addiction through intensive one-on-one sessions rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the 12-Steps program. While you are in rehab, you will have the opportunity to explore any underlying issues you may have including co-occurring disorders such as trauma, depression or anxiety and discover how you may have been using as a way to self-medicate. In addition to the support you get while in rehab, outpatient services to help you integrate successfully back into your daily life are also rolled into most residential programs. These time tested and effective evidence-based practices are most effectively used in residential programs which give you the best chance to help you transform your life and attain sustainable long term sobriety.
*DTs is the most severe manifestation of alcohol withdrawal and clinical manifestations include agitation, global confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, fever, hypertension, diaphoresis, and autonomic hyperactivity (tachycardia and hypertension). DTs is a medical emergency with a high mortality rate, making early recognition and treatment essential.(Ref: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/166032-overview)