Table of Contents

What Is Addiction?

Addiction is a complex brain disease that affects millions of people every year and can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, occupation, or financial status.¹ Though the condition can be debilitating and has profound long-term effects on people’s lives, addiction can be treated and managed. Treatment has helped many individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addiction live lives without compulsive substance use.

When diagnosed by a medical professional, alcoholism and drug addiction are more commonly known as substance use disorders (SUDs). Substance use disorders are characterized by the compulsive use of substances despite the ample substance-related problems that such use leads to.^2,3

What Are the Types of Drug and Alcohol Rehab Treatment?

There are several different types of addiction treatment available to help people recover from drug and alcohol addiction. Effective rehab treatment is commonly tailored to a person’s individual needs.⁴With a whole-person approach to substance abuse treatment, teams can support both the physical health and mental well-being of a person.⁴ If you or a loved one is looking at substance abuse treatment options, this article will help you to learn more about what inpatient alcohol and drug rehabilitation is and how it can be effective.

What Is an Inpatient Rehab Program?

Inpatient rehab programs offer structured, around-the-clock support and supervision for people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.¹An inpatient drug or alcohol rehabilitation setting allows a person to live full-time at a treatment facility as they receive care and begin recovery.¹

Behavioral therapy is often at the center of many inpatient treatment programs. During an inpatient program, you may participate in both individual therapy and group counseling sessions. Some treatment facilities use alternative therapies in their approaches to addiction.

Utilizing a variety of behavioral therapeutic approaches, your treatment team will help you learn why addiction develops, what contributes to continued/compulsive substance misuse, and what you can do to help yourself have a new, drug- or alcohol-free life.

Inpatient addiction treatment programs offer a high level of care, which often includes:^1,2

24-hour supervision and support in a safe environment.
Medications for addiction treatment.
Time away from your home environment to concentrate on your well-being.
Behavioral therapies (e.g. individual, family, group).
Medically assisted detoxification (detox).
Services to address any social, vocational, and legal issues.
Access to medical and mental healthcare services, when needed.

Types of Inpatient Rehab Programs

Programs at residential rehabs or inpatient rehabs may differ in their level of structure, intensity, and duration of treatment depending on your treatment needs. There are several options to choose from so that you can find the live-in program that’s right for you:^1,2,5

Relatively low-intensity residential rehab programs: 24-hour structure and living accommodations with several hours of clinical services per week.
Intensive inpatient rehab: Higher-intensity, medically-monitored care with 24-hour physician access for medical management of withdrawal symptoms, as well as treatment attention for other mental health and medical health issues that require inpatient care.
Short-term rehab programs: Often, the short-term focus at the start of any inpatient or residential rehab program will be on detox and withdrawal management, with preparation for additional post-detox treatment. Programs may differ in their level of structure, intensity, and duration of treatment.
Long-term residential treatment programs: Long-term inpatient drug rehab stays typically take place over 30 days and focus on helping a person develop personal accountability and responsibility before entering back into their communities. Long-term treatment includes 24-hour, structured, intensive care and may also include therapeutic communities, and these programs can last for anywhere from 6 to 12 months.
Recovery/sober living housing: Supervised, short-term housing, lasting for several months to a year or more to help people maintain their recovery momentum after an inpatient addiction rehab program.

Inpatient Rehab vs. Residential Treatment Programs

Though the concepts of inpatient substance abuse treatment and residential rehab treatment often overlap, the term inpatient sometimes can reference more clinically intensive treatment compared to that which is found in residential settings. Both require the person to stay overnight in the facility with monitoring and support, though inpatient efforts may focus more on medically managing detoxification, addressing certain medical issues, and providing services for emotional, behavioral or mental health conditions.¹

With this distinction in mind, a period of inpatient detox and medical withdrawal management may be shorter than the full length of stay in ongoing residential treatment. Though treatment times will vary for each individual, such a period of relatively intensive inpatient rehab might be expected to last for a few days to a few weeks. On the other hand, residential care may more commonly last for a few weeks to several months, depending on the needs of the individual.¹

Is Detox a Part of Inpatient Rehab?

Detox is often an important first phase of drug and alcohol treatment and, given certain types of withdrawal risks, it may take place in an inpatient setting to ensure the safe management of any withdrawal symptoms.⁶

Depending on the type of substance a person is detoxing from, withdrawal symptoms may differ.⁷ There are different types of detoxification protocols for different substances, as well as different treatment settings to consider for rehab. Not all settings are appropriate for everyone. Some people may need 24-hour care during the detoxification process while others may not.¹

There are several levels of professional detox care, spanning both outpatient and inpatient settings. Though outpatient detox may include medications and medical monitoring to assess withdrawal progress, medically managed and monitored detox frequently takes place in inpatient/residential addiction treatment centers.

In such a setting, treatment teams are able to provide 24-hour supervision, observation, and support for people who are actively intoxicated or who are experiencing acute withdrawal. These levels of care may be able to offer the most intensive range of services to help stabilize patients and keep them safe while managing the sometimes dangerous drug and alcohol withdrawal period.⁶

Inpatient Rehab vs. Outpatient Rehab Programs

One of the biggest differences between inpatient rehab treatment and outpatient rehabilitation is that inpatient rehabilitation requires overnight stays at the facility. Deciding which setting is right for you or your loved one depends on multiple factors and treatment must be tailored to individual needs.^1,8

The following 6 criteria are used to help determine whether an inpatient setting or an outpatient setting is most appropriate for drug treatment:⁹

Level of intoxication and potential for withdrawal symptoms.
Presence of other medical conditions.
Presence of other emotional, behavioral, or cognitive issues.
Readiness or motivation to change.
Risk of relapse or continued drug use.
Recovery environment (e.g. family, peers, school, legal system).

Are Inpatient Rehab Treatment Programs Effective?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to drug and alcohol rehab, so effective treatment truly depends on proper assessment for the appropriate level of care. The most effective treatment regimen will address all the needs of the person, not just the drug or alcohol addiction. Inpatient rehab programs typically provide many options for substance abuse treatment services that can be tailored to an individual’s needs and substance of abuse.⁴

How to Find Inpatient Rehab Centers Near Me

Choosing to enter rehab is an important first step in recovery. If you are suffering with alcohol or drug addiction and are considering rehab, it may be helpful to speak with a doctor, therapist, or other treatment professional to receive an assessment of your needs and treatment options.

Rehab facilities are located throughout the U.S., and a variety of treatment types is available. SAMHSA’s Find Treatment tool allows you to search for nearby treatment centers. Many state government websites will provide local drug and alcohol resources to those in need. To find your state government’s website, do a web search for your state name and ‘.gov.’ Once your state website is located, substance use resources shouldn’t be hard to find, and they should provide further phone contacts for your assistance.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading provider of addiction treatment programs and has trusted rehab facilities across the country. To learn about treatment options with AAC, please contact one of our caring admissions navigators free at . You can also check your insurance coverage online now.

Frequently Asked Questions

If a stay at an inpatient rehab center is recommended by a clinical professional, you may want to consider a few factors when choosing between inpatient drug rehab facilities. For example, many rehabs follow a faith-based model, as opposed to those that take a secular or non-religious approach, just as many treatment centers have aftercare programs while others do not. The following questions may be useful to consider when looking at inpatient treatment centers.

What Types of Addictions Do Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab Facilities Treat?

Most inpatient drug treatment facilities treat addictions to a variety of substances. However, some inpatient drug and alcohol rehab centers specialize in treatment for specific substances or for certain groups. When looking for inpatient treatment centers, ask what substances they treat and what services they offer to make sure you receive the proper level of care.

Do Inpatient Rehabs Have Specialized Treatment Programs?

Many inpatient drug and alcohol rehab facilities offer specialized programs that cater to certain populations, including, but not limited to:

Gender-specific (e.g. women’s rehab programs).
LGBTQ+ rehab programs.
Couples’ rehab programs.
Mental health.
Rehab programs for pregnant women.
Seniors’ rehab programs.
Veterans’ rehab programs.
Substance-specific programs.
Holistic rehab programs.

What Types of Therapy Does Inpatient Treatment Offer?

There are several evidence-based approaches to addiction treatment.¹ Many inpatient alcohol or drug rehab programs utilize a variety of behavioral therapeutic interventions to promote your recovery. Many of the therapeutic techniques that are introduced during your stay are intended to be used after inpatient treatment, either on your own or continued with your doctor, therapist, or counselor.

Active participation with a full range of behavioral treatments can help people learn about their addictions, engage in their recovery plan, improve coping skills, and resist relapse. Here are a few commonly used behavioral therapies offered by many inpatient rehabs:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves the use of several interventions that can be used in a group or by an individual. They can help a person think through a situation (anticipate problems) and change previous, unhealthy behaviors (using substances) to newer, healthier behaviors (using coping skills) in order to stay alcohol- and drug-free.¹⁰
Motivational interviewing/Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) addresses motivation to change and recognizes doubts about behavior change while strengthening motivation and building a change plan.^8,10
Contingency management (CM) is a reward program for individuals who reach important goals in treatment and demonstrate abstinence.¹⁰
Relapse prevention (RP) is a therapy that helps identify cues to drug use and trains people to respond in an alternate way to their personal triggers.¹⁰

What Credentials and Licensing Does the Treatment Facility Have?

Drug and alcohol addiction treatment is highly specialized, and many treatment professionals and facilities are licensed and credentialed to provide addiction services that meet certain requirements. Licensure means the organization has met all safety standards and staffs licensed professionals to provide medical services, individual and group therapy, education, and addiction treatment planning.¹¹

Many inpatient drug and alcohol rehab centers seek out accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF is an international, independent accreditor of health and human services, including behavioral health, child and youth services and opioid treatment programs.¹² CARF accreditation provides assurance for people seeking services that the agency has passed with the highest quality standards from a third-party who oversees treatment facilities.¹²

How Long Are Inpatient Rehab Programs?

The length of an inpatient alcohol and drug rehab stay can vary depending on factors such as the individual’s progress, medical needs, mental healthcare needs and health insurance coverage. Generally, though, inpatient rehab can last for a few weeks to a few months, but it may be longer if necessary. Though any amount of treatment is likely to provide some benefit, treatment lengths of 90 days or more (which may include periods of inpatient alcohol and drug rehab) have been associated with more positive treatment outcomes.¹³Typical program lengths are as follows:

Can Family Visit Me in Inpatient Rehab?

Family visits need to be arranged with the facility, and some facilities may offer family therapy and other services to support recovery. Family therapy can be useful in helping to bring about change in family systems where drug abuse and other problems persist.¹⁴

How Much Does Inpatient Rehab Cost?

The cost of inpatient rehab varies based on multiple factors, including:

Level of care.
Whether you do or don’t have insurance coverage.
Additional services provided (e.g. medical, psychiatric, physical therapy, medication therapy).

Insurance carriers have different benefits and different plans, so it’s important to verify your insurance coverage with your provider and/or treatment facility to make sure you’re covered.

Factors that may affect insurance coverage:

Health plan type.
Type of addictive substance(s).
The severity of addiction (e.g. number of relapses, medical/mental complications from using substances/withdrawal).
The provider (geographic location, in-network plan).

If you or a loved one needs help for a substance use disorder, you are not alone; recovery from drug and alcohol abuse is possible. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is here to help you find an inpatient drug addiction treatment program that will meet you where you are at.

Whether it’s an intensive inpatient rehab, short-term rehab program, or a low-intensity residential rehab program, our admissions navigators are ready to take your call 24/7 and assist you in understanding treatment options and how to pay for rehab. Please call us free at to get started on your recovery journey. You can also use the form below to check if your insurance covers rehabilitation treatment.

Health Insurance Providers That May Cover Inpatient Treatment

Learn about rehab treatment with these insurance providers:

Inpatient Rehabilitation and Addiction Treatment Programs Near Me