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American Addiction Centers National Rehabs Directory

Inpatient Drug & Alcohol Rehab: Find Inpatient Addiction Treatment

Addiction, also known as substance use disorder (SUD), is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that involves compulsive drug-seeking behaviors and substance use despite the consequences substance use can cause. If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, you know just how challenging it can be. The good news is that addiction is available and can help individuals stop using substances and live happier, healthier lives.1

Different levels of addiction treatment can take place in a range of settings and can vary in duration and intensity. One such option, inpatient rehab, offers intensive therapy within a safe, structured environment, helping individuals break the cycle of addiction.

What Is an Inpatient Rehab Program?

Inpatient rehab programs offer structured, around-the-clock care, monitoring, and support for people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.An inpatient alcohol rehab or inpatient drug rehab setting allows a person to live full-time at a treatment facility while 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. Using a variety of behavioral therapeutic approaches, your treatment team will help you learn why addiction develops, what contributes to compulsive substance use, and what you can do to help yourself live a 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.
  • Services to address any social, vocational, and legal issues.
  • Access to medical and mental healthcare services, when needed.

Types of Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programs

Programs at residential rehabs or inpatient rehabs may differ in duration, intensity, and structure 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, 3

  •  Residential rehab programs: There are relatively low-structured programs that offer 24-hour 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.
  • Sober living housing: Sober living homes offer 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 Drug and Alcohol 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 medical detox for drugs or alcohol, addressing certain medical issues, and providing services for emotional, behavioral, or mental health conditions.

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 Drug Detox 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.4

Depending on the type of substance a person is detoxing from, withdrawal symptoms may differ.5 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 can 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.4

Inpatient Rehab vs. Outpatient Rehab Programs

One of the biggest differences between inpatient addiction 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, 6

The following 6 criteria are used to help determine whether an inpatient setting or an outpatient setting is most appropriate for drug treatment:7

  1. Level of intoxication and potential for withdrawal symptoms.
  2. Presence of other medical conditions.
  3. Presence of other emotional, behavioral, or cognitive issues.
  4. Readiness or motivation to change.
  5. Risk of relapse or continued drug use.
  6. 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 use.3

How to Find Inpatient Rehab Centers Near Me

Choosing to enter rehab is a brave first step in recovery. If you are struggling with 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 are available. 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.’

You can also contact American Addiction Centers (AAC) by to speak with a caring admissions navigator. AAC is a leading provider of addiction treatment programs and has trusted rehab facilities across the country. Our admissions navigators are available now to answer questions you may have about treatment options, using your health insurance to pay for rehab and more. Calling is confidential and free, and there is no obligation to enter treatment. 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.

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