Inpatient treatment is where a patient is admitted to a rehabilitation center or facility and stays there full time. Inpatient treatment is a good option for severe addictions, especially as many programs address the underlying emotional causes of one’s substance abuse. Inpatient treatment also provides an opportunity for the individual to physically withdraw from substances while they focus on their mental and emotional rehabilitation.

Inpatient facilities usually provide 24-hour medical support and are often led by a team of counselors, clinicians, and doctors. These centers also vary in terms of their provision of amenities which range from basic to luxury options. Below is more information about this type of program and what to expect.

Inpatient Treatment Duration

Inpatient treatment often comes in short and long-term options.

Short-Term Inpatient

Short-term inpatient centers typically provide treatment for 30 to 90 days. Short-term inpatient rehab is ideal for individuals who need detoxing and therapy, but don’t require long-term treatment.

Long-Term Inpatient

Long-term inpatient treatment typically ranges between 3 to 6 months (although treatment beyond 3 months is less common due to cost). This type of rehab is best suited to individuals with long-term chronic addictions, especially those who have co-occurring mental health issues.

Inpatient Treatment Cost

Prices vary for inpatient rehab as it all depends on the amenities, type of program, and duration. In general, though, a basic low-cost program can be anywhere from $2,000 to $7,000 for a 30-day program.

Standard and longer-term inpatient programs that are 60 or 90 days in duration, can range from $10,000 to $20,000, while luxury options can be between $25,000 – $60,000. These costs are often covered by private insurance or Medicaid, but this depends on each facility and your type of insurance.

What to Expect With Inpatient Treatment

person walking with suitcase

Inpatient treatment is a full-time deal. Individuals entering an inpatient or residential program have an opportunity to fully focus on getting healthy and sober without the distractions of everyday life. This is especially helpful for people with severe dependencies or for those who feel they need additional support to beat their addiction.

Structured Living

While every program is different, inpatient treatments usually consist of highly structured schedules. Residents will be expected to attend therapy groups, individual counseling, and other sessions as dictated by the program. Patients will also interact and meet with a variety of inpatient staff such as psychiatrists, counselors, nurses, clinical staff, administrative staff, and more.

The first step in inpatient treatment is usually medical detox. Some individuals will have done their detox elsewhere, but for those being treated for the first time, detox will be their first stage of treatment. Once patients are stabilized, they will receive a treatment plan that consists of therapy, group work, classes, and more.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Some outpatient facilities can also prescribe and administer medications for the treatment of specific addictions like opioids. They can also prescribe medications to help with some of the long-term withdrawal symptoms. Some of the more common medications include:

Methadone: helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and relieve cravings.

  • Buprenorphine: controls cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
  • Naltrexone: blocks the effects of opioids and can discourage use.
  • Suboxone: is a combination of buprenorphine and naltrexone commonly used for opioid withdrawal and treatment.
  • Disulfiram (Antabuse): produces uncomfortable effects when someone drinks alcohol. This medication helps discourage future or continued use.
  • Antidepressants: these are sometimes used for patients who experience depression or anxiety following long-term substance abuse.

The Importance of Amenities


California accommodation and balconies

Before choosing an inpatient center, it’s worth considering what type of environment you’ll want to live in for the duration of your treatment. For example, do you want your inpatient treatment to be in a city center? Or would you prefer a more rustic feel? If so, there are also ranch-style options and remote inpatient centers that draw from the natural landscape as part of their therapy.

Life inside an inpatient rehab facility can also vary greatly. Some centers offer basic amenities that take place in dorm-style accommodation with shared living areas, while more expensive ones will provide private rooms for residents. The more upscale centers may also provide chef-prepared meals and additional amenities such as gyms, holistic areas for yoga and meditation, swimming pools, and entertainment areas.

It’s also worth remembering that more expensive centers aren’t necessarily better. Each facility is unique, and many that are low-cost will still offer an array of top-notch amenities and programs, so it’s a good idea to check out their website or visit before committing. After all, you’ll want to ensure that your stay is as comfortable as possible, especially if you’re there for a month or longer.

Types of Inpatient Therapy

Most inpatient programs provide a mixture of individual, group, and family counseling, along with holistic therapies.

Individual Therapy

Individual counseling can also often include psychotherapy approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization reprogramming (EMDR). These sessions are usually led by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a trained addiction counselor. Advantages of individual therapy include:

  • Confidentiality
  • One-on-one attention from the therapist
  • More comprehensive and intense treatment compared to group therapy
  • The pace of therapy can be tailored to the client
  • Development of self-awareness
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Sessions can be arranged immediately (if needed)
  • Development of communication skills

Group Therapy

Group sessions are usually facilitated by an addiction specialist or counselor and can include topics such as the 12 steps, coping skills, stress management, anger management, relapse prevention, and more. Some of the advantages of group therapy include:

  • Supportive environment
  • Development of interpersonal awareness
  • Increase in self-awareness
  • Fostering personal growth
  • Social skill development
  • Holding and learning accountability
  • Learning how to understand internal motivations

Family Therapy

While individual and group counseling focuses on a person’s thoughts, behaviors, and emotions, family therapy is designed to focus on relationships. In many cases, addiction and substance abuse become a family problem, affecting multiple relationships and dynamics within the unit.

Therefore, the goal of family therapy is to repair these relationships, educate everyone on the nature of addiction, and improve closeness. Some of the advantages of family therapy include:

  • Helps maintain motivation and engagement during treatment
  • Teaches the family about addiction and its effects on the family unit
  • Enables family members to voice their feelings and concerns
  • Provides a high level of support for the person undergoing treatment
  • Allows family members to develop skills and strategies to help their loved one
  • Improves family communication skills

Holistic Therapy

Holistic rehab facilities will also provide alternative therapies such as adventure therapy, equine (horse) therapy, art and music therapy, massage therapy, and meditation. The purpose of these therapies is to treat the whole person and not just the symptoms. Advantages of holistic therapy include:

  • Development of calmness and stress reduction
  • Spiritual connection
  • Emotional expression
  • Improving physical health
  • Increased self-esteem

Inpatient Therapy Programs

woman talking to therapist

Inpatient programs vary between centers, but they often involve a mixture of the following:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps individuals change negative cycles of thought and behavior into more positive ones. This kind of therapy has shown to be especially effective for addiction and mental health conditions.

Clients receiving CBT often learn how to recognize “automatic thoughts” and dysfunctional thinking patterns, how to understand the behavior and motivation of others, and how to develop a greater sense of self-understanding and confidence. CBT also helps clients find solutions to triggers that might encourage drug use.

Dialectical-Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on mindfulness, how to live in the moment, cope with stress, and improve relationships. DBT also helps clients identify negative influences in their lives and learn how to develop healthy coping skills. This kind of therapy is useful for people who have been substance addictions, especially those who have anxiety or mood disorders. DBT is also effective for PTSD and for people who exhibit self-destructive behaviors.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Other trauma-informed treatments such as EMDR are also effective. Consisting of 8 phases, EMDR is led by a therapist who guides an individual through a series of rapid eye movements to help redirect negative or traumatic memories. This redirection helps the person form new connections or associations so that the memory is less emotionally distressing over time. This therapy is therefore useful for individuals with mood disorders as it helps them overcome the emotional suffering associated with traumatic events.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a type of collaborative therapy between a therapist and the client. During these sessions, the client and therapist work together to create sources of motivation and achieve self-defined goals. MI is known for its positive, client-centered approach and has shown to be effective in treating addiction and mood disorders.

Matrix Model

The Matrix Model is another form of therapy that has proven to be effective in treating various forms of substance abuse. This 16-week approach is comprehensive and consists of a mixture of behavioral therapy, individual counseling, 12-Step support, family education, drug testing, and encouraging non-drug-related activities. Through guided therapy, patients learn about issues connected to addiction and relapse. These sessions are designed to promote self-esteem and self-worth while the patient and therapist work together to reinforce positive behavioral changes.

Experiential Therapies

Experiential therapy is a guided therapeutic technique that uses creative tools and activities like arts and crafts, music, role-playing, acting, props, guided imagery, or other forms of recreation. The purpose of these activities is to re-enact or re-experience emotional situations from a person’s past or current relationships. Experiential therapies provide a healthy and safe way to express and identify difficult emotions and foster a healthier sense of responsibility and self-esteem.

Inpatient Groups

adult group therapy

Along with varied therapy programs, inpatient treatment may also include a variety of different groups.

12-Step Groups

12-Step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are some of the oldest and most successful forms of support groups for addiction. IOPs that work with 12-Step groups will often incorporate this into a patient’s treatment program and encourage attendance at these meetings outside treatment as well. In these sessions, patients learn about the 12-Step principles and where to locate groups in their community.

Skills-Development Groups

Skills development sessions are designed to help clients learn new behaviors in a safe setting. These include topics like coping skills, anger management, stress management, communication, conflict resolution, relationship management, and more.

Psychoeducational Groups

Psychoeducational groups provide safe emotional support while allowing clients to learn about addiction, dependence, and the consequence of substance abuse. These groups also focus on problem-solving skills and targeting unhealthy belief systems.

Relapse Prevention Groups

As the name implies, relapse prevention groups are designed to help individuals develop techniques that will prevent future relapses. This consists of identifying triggers and high-risk situations and how to both avoid and manage them.

Family Groups

Family forms an integral part of rehab. These groups focus on communication between family members and the ways they can support each other. Participants also learn about the effects of addiction and how to deal with these within the family.

How to Find an Inpatient Treatment Center

Finding the best inpatient center requires that you do a bit of due diligence, especially as this type of treatment requires more commitment. If you’re unsure about how to start the process, below are a few things to consider while you’re doing your research.

Recommendations

Ask a doctor, counselor, or medical professional for recommendations. They may have a list of trusted centers that you can explore.

Treatment and Care

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) suggests that you should be aware of the following when searching for a center:

  • Accessibility: you shouldn’t have to wait a long time to enter treatment.
  • Personalized: care should be personalized and tailored. Avoid programs that offer a one-size-fits-all approach.
  • Empirically based: treatment should be evidence-based. It’s also good to choose centers that offer a mix of medical treatment and alternative therapies.
  • Social support: centers should provide a strong support system such as recovery groups, peer support, and aftercare.

Dual Diagnosis

If you are struggling with a co-occurring mental health condition like depression or anxiety, its’ a good idea to look for facilities that offer dual diagnosis. These facilities are staffed with psychiatrists or clinical therapists that can diagnose and treat co-occurring mental health conditions. Dual diagnosis also allows clients to address their underlying conditions alongside withdrawal from substances.

Accreditations and Licenses

While you’re doing your research, look for a facility that’s accredited from the likes of CARF, the Joint Commission, or SAMHSA. An accreditation guarantees that they meet or exceed standards of care.

Staff Credentials and Multi-Disciplinarity

Many top-notch facilities are staffed with a mix of medical directors, clinicians, licensed counselors, psychiatrists, nutritionists, and holistic therapists. As addiction is a complex condition, a multi-disciplinary staff ensures that you’re able to get well-rounded care.

Amenities

As mentioned above, you’ll want to get a sense of the atmosphere and amenities before you commit. This includes the level and type of accommodation, and whether they provide any extras for recreation and outdoor activities.

Levels of Care

Centers that offer a continuum of care are also more comprehensive. These facilities tend to provide the whole spectrum of detox, inpatient, outpatient, and aftercare.

Insurance and Cost

Most inpatient facilities will allow private insurance coverage. However, it’s a good idea to check their website for this information as they may only take coverage from some types of insurance. In some cases, they also allow Medicaid.

Inpatient Treatment Resources

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Treatment and support are readily available. Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment.

You can also find a list of treatment centers near you on our website to help get you on the path to recovery.

Medical Disclaimer

At RehabAid.com, we are dedicated to helping people recover from problematic substance use and associated mental health disorders. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, you are not alone. Information on treatment and support options is readily available through the National Helpline of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-4357. To further assist you along the path to recovery, the treatment center locator on our website allows you to easily find rehabilitation programs and services in your local area.

We provide our readers with factual, evidence-based content concerning the causes and nature of addiction, as well as available treatment options. However, this informative content is intended for educational purposes only. It is by no means a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. With regard to any addiction-related health concerns, you should always seek the guidance of a qualified, registered physician who is licensed to practice medicine in your particular jurisdiction.

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