According to Our World in Data, more than 2% of the world’s population has an alcohol or illicit drug addiction and, sadly, over 350,000 people die from alcohol and illicit drug overdoses every year.
As tragic as that is, the good news is there are various rehabilitation options available, and many people with addictions are rehabilitated all the time.
But what are the different options for drug and alcohol rehab? And how do they work?
Let’s take a look at six common options to find out.
1. Long-term Residential Treatment
There are several types of rehab centres that people who are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol can consider.
It’s best to consult a doctor or a mental health professional to work out which is the most suitable option for you.
Long-term residential treatment is one popular option. That involves staying at a rehab centre for, generally speaking, between six and twelve months.
At the centre, you would socialize with staff members and other residents and engage in treatments like group therapy sessions, individual therapy sessions and educational programs.
2. Short-term Residential Treatment
Short-term residential treatment is based on the twelve-step approach used for alcohol use disorder but is now also used for drug addiction.
The treatment program typically lasts up to six weeks and is followed by outpatient therapy and support groups.
3. Outpatient Treatment
This option doesn’t involve residing at a treatment centre.
Instead, you would live at home and visit the treatment centre throughout the week, where you would be able to access the same sorts of therapies and programs that are used in long-term and short-term residential centres for rehabilitation for drugs and alcohol.
4. Individual Therapy
Different options for drug and alcohol rehab are not confined to residential and non-residential rehab centres. The options also include the types of therapy you can access.
Professionals can assess what type of therapy would be best suited to you.
Individual therapy is one option. That involves working with a mental health professional one-on-one.
Your therapist would help you in a number of ways, such as assisting you in identifying your addiction triggers and learning how to cope with them.
Two of the most common behavioural therapies used in individual therapy sessions are motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy.
5. Group Therapy
Group therapy is also widely used in alcohol and drug rehab.
It involves attending sessions with other addicts. The sessions are led by a therapist.
Some group therapy sessions focus on specific recovery phases while others provide support for mental health concerns.
Many of the techniques that are used in individual therapy sessions are also used in group therapy sessions.
6. Family Counseling
Another form of counselling that is available is family counselling.
That involves your family members and friends being a part of the recovery process.
Family members and friends can learn about how they may have contributed to your addiction and discover how to best support you outside of a rehab facility.
Final Thoughts
If you suffer from alcohol and/or drug addiction and are looking for help, you should contact your doctor for advice about the different services available.
If you feel uncomfortable doing that, you can always contact an organization that provides free advice.
Once you have contacted a professional, he or she can guide you in which rehabilitation option is best for your specific circumstances.
There are people out there waiting to assist you. So, be brave and take the first step: ask for help.
