A rehab centre is a facility that applies medical and psychological principles to manage substance abuse issues. They are typically reserved for those who have failed at recovery before or have tried a comeback but cannot maintain abstinence. Every rehab centre has its treatment methods, so there is no “one size fits all” approach. However, below is an overview of some of the things you need to know about rehab centres.
Types of rehab centres
A rehabilitation centre can be inpatient or outpatient. You should also know there are both private and public rehab centres. Here’s more information about them:
- Inpatient rehab centres. Inpatient rehab centres are often recommended for those with severe addictions that cannot be managed by outpatient treatment alone. The person lives at the facility, often for the length of their treatment plan. However, the cost can be prohibitive, and there is usually an initial evaluation period to determine whether people would benefit from this intensive level of care.
- Outpatient rehab centres. Individuals who are not experiencing severe cravings or withdrawal symptoms may find success through outpatient rehab centres. This option offers patients more freedom than inpatient facilities because they can return home after completing their daily group sessions or individual therapy appointments. In addition, it’s possible to go directly from one type of centre into another if a patient requires a higher level of care as they progress on their addiction recovery journey.
Treatments in rehabilitation facilities
If you are considering a rehab facility, it’s essential to consider your treatment options. Some rehab centres operate using group sessions, while others use individual therapy. Some facilities use both methods, which is ideal because the patient can experience both forms of addiction treatment. Some of the most common treatment options at rehab centres include:
- Group therapy. This is a specific type of therapy that allows those in recovery to share their experiences. This group session typically focuses on coping skills and learning how to make better choices after leaving treatment. It’s important to realise that everyone involved has different backgrounds, some more severe than others. A topic such as family issues and shame can be discussed, which provides insight for those who struggle with similar problems. Because the focus is on self-exploration and helping others, people sometimes form strong bonds that can offer support outside of rehab as nothing else could.
- Individual therapy. Most rehab facilities will provide you with individual sessions as group sessions. The point of this type of therapy is to create a trusting relationship to discuss sensitive issues. This can be very helpful if one has experienced sexual, emotional, or physical abuse. It’s also beneficial to talk about psychological addictions such as gambling or compulsive shopping. Other types of addictions may not need this level of intimacy, but it all depends on the patient’s needs and wants. For example, some patients want nothing more than for their therapist to sit in silence while they vent, while others wish for a dialogue that helps them open up and face complex issues head-on.
- Art therapy. This is a form of rehabilitation that uses the creative process of art to help people express their feelings. For example, patients may create drawings, collages, sculptures, or other pieces while discussing their feelings to cope with addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
- Spirituality-based care (SBC). This can be an essential part of recovery. SBC involves using positive reinforcement like meditation, prayer, breathing exercises, and journaling to help patients find peace before returning to substance abuse again. Many rehab facilities have this type of treatment built into their program because it helps them stay sober after leaving the centre.
Emotional and physical treatment
Some people believe you either treat addiction using emotional techniques or physical treatments. They’re wrong because both are important and necessary when it comes to recovery from substance abuse disorder. The most successful programs treat both the mind and body, so they provide yoga or other relaxing activities that help patients learn to cope with stress.
Everyone responds differently to physical treatments, but acupuncture is one of the most popular methods used in addiction treatment because it relieves pain and encourages relaxation. Some people might scoff at this method, but it can be very effective with psychological therapy sessions.
If you’re struggling with an addiction, don’t be ashamed of reaching out for help. So many people who worked with similar problems have overcome their addictions and live healthy, sober lives full of happiness and success. You can do it too if you open up to your therapist and family members about what’s going through your mind. They want nothing more than for you to heal, so they’ll do everything in their power to make that happen.
Robert Haynes did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health and well-being.
