Inpatient addiction treatment is necessary for individuals whose drug or alcohol use has resulted in dependency and addiction, and therefore cannot be successfully addressed in an outpatient setting. In an outpatient drug rehab program or less intensive treatment setting such as therapy groups or 12-step meetings, individuals will still have access to drugs and will still be vulnerable to outside influences, relationships etc. which could and probably will compromise their sobriety. This is obviously not an ideal circumstance when someone is struggling with drug or alcohol cravings and is possibly detoxing and going through withdrawal. Detox in an inpatient addiction treatment setting provides the appropriate atmosphere and makes available the appropriate treatment and detox tools so that individuals in recovery actually have a shot at remaining sober.
In inpatient addiction treatment, detox is the first priority as the majority of treatment clients arrive to rehab going through withdrawal and needing various levels and types of support as their bodies detox from drugs and/or alcohol. Individuals arrive to inpatient addiction treatment detoxing from all sorts of substances, not just illicit drugs and alcohol. Many people struggle with prescription drug dependence and addiction for example, at very similar rates as those who struggle with illicit drug abuse and alcoholism. So treatment staff at inpatient addiction treatment need to know what to expect when someone walks in the door and is detoxing, and what measures to take to make this not only a smooth and efficient process but a safe one as well.
The very first thing that treatment counselors in the detox wing of an inpatient addiction treatment center will want to know is the history of drug and alcohol use of each client. This will help detox staff determine whether or not this is a "run of the mill" detox process and whether or not there are any foreseen complications which may arise as the individual's body adjusts and stabilizes. Most individuals will fare just fine with a moderate level of support from detox staff including supplements, proper rest and nutrition, etc. as the drugs and alcohol are purged from their bodies and they physically stabilize within a matter of days. Very little intervention is needed in most cases during detox in an inpatient addiction treatment facility, although there are a few exceptions.
Some of the exceptions have to do with current physical state and mental state for example. While someone who is in good overall health and is detoxing from an opiate such as heroin may get through detox without incident within 3-5 days, someone whose health has been compromised by their addiction may need considerable intervention to avoid any serious health consequences and risks. For example, if the opiate dependent individual has been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS or some other serious illness and is in poor health, measures will need to be taken by medical staff in inpatient addiction treatment to ensure their health isn't even more compromised when they go through a grueling opiate detox.
Medicines and other supplements, etc. can be administered and appropriate measures can be taken in such cases to assist in these more complicated situations to ensure the individual's health isn't being put at risk while they detox and receive further treatment. The fact that the individual made it to inpatient addiction treatment is often a life saving situation in itself, because most drug addicted individuals whose health has been compromised in this way because of their habit don't properly care for themselves or take proper measures to slow the progression of diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Being in an inpatient addiction treatment facility will not only help them put an end to their addiction, but save their lives by putting them on proper medicines and changing their lifestyle so that they have a chance to lead a healthier and more prolonged life.
When someone is detoxing in inpatient addiction treatment, there are also risks associated with the emotional and psychological aspects of addiction and withdrawal symptoms that occur with certain types of drugs. Some drugs cause a remarkable level of purely psychological dependence, and physical symptoms may not even kick in at all when someone is detoxing in inpatient addiction treatment in certain instances. For example, drugs like ecstasy, marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine may present more mental challenges than physical challenges when someone is detoxing in inpatient rehab. This can be true to such an extent, that some patients who are detoxing in inpatient addiction treatment may become severely depressed or have extreme anxiety which can be difficult to bear. In inpatient addiction treatment, these situations are always foreseen, monitored, and appropriately addressed as needed. If the individual chooses to not seek help in an inpatient drug rehab and instead decides to detox themselves, these symptoms of depression and so forth can get so bad that some individuals even become suicidal. This is another prime example of why no one should attempt to detox themselves on their own, and should always take advantage of the expertise and support of treatment professionals in inpatient addiction treatment.
If you need help though detox or know someone else who need inpatient addiction treatment, speak with a treatment counselor at your nearest inpatient facility and help get the process started today.