4 Different Drug Addiction Treatment Options: Which is Right for You?

Over 22 million American adults battle substance use disorders, and drug addiction directly and indirectly affects over 45 million people in the US alone.

But while drug use disorders are becoming increasingly common and impactful, they affect each person in a different, unique way. In turn, when seeking addiction treatment, there is no “one-size-fits-all” formula you can rely on.

Partnering with a specialized medical professional and choosing the right program for your needs is vital to increase your chances of overcoming your addiction and living a sober, free life. Start by exploring the most common drug addiction treatment programs below.

Outpatient Drug Addiction Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with a mild drug addiction disorder, outpatient addiction treatment can offer many benefits. These programs follow customized schedules and allow patients to meet with their therapists at a time that is convenient to them.

When opting for outpatient treatment, you won’t need to relocate to a treatment center, which means that you can continue work, earn, and live at home.

While outpatient programs can be extremely beneficial for those with less severe disorders, they won’t shield you entirely from the triggers of everyday life. That is why these programs are recommended for patients who have already undergone inpatient treatment or can easily withdraw themselves from the places and people they associate with drug use.

In any case, to curb the risk of relapse, outpatient treatments should last long enough to allow a patient to form long-lasting healthy habits – at least 60 to 90 days.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

Similarly to standard outpatient programs, IOPs are a type of structured non-residential rehabilitation. These programs are tailored to individual needs, and require patients to meet with their therapists more frequently, usually several days a week for sessions lasting 2-5 hours.

IOPs last an average of 8-12 weeks and integrate several rehabilitation methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). While IOPs don’t usually offer the level of care most people battling addiction need to safely detox, they can be particularly effective for those patients who have already gone through a detoxification program.

Inpatient Addiction Treatment Programs

Inpatient addiction treatment programs are among the most efficient types of rehabilitation programs, based on relapse rate. They are best suited for those patients battling severe drug addiction and requiring ongoing, intense care.

Inpatient programs allow you to receive specialized help and establish the habits you’ll need to prevent relapse once your program has ended.

Aside from the high rates of success, inpatient programs are particularly beneficial because they shield you from the triggers of everyday life without having to relocate away from home or your family.

For example, if you are from San Francisco or San Diego, residing at an addiction treatment based in California allows you to be close to home throughout your detoxification and recovery journey.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)

The first step to take on your journey to addiction recovery is to assess, with the help of a professional, what level of care you require and what balance you need to achieve to make your treatment more efficient.

If you require intensive care and you need to get away from the trigger to everyday life, but you have professional and personal responsibilities to keep up with, PHP might be the best compromise for your needs.

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) allow patients to continue living at home, but it requires them to commit to visit a treatment center multiple days a week for 3 to 12 hours each day.

Beyond Drug Addiction Treatment: Support Groups and 12-Step Programs

Drug addiction is a chronic disease, not dissimilar to asthma or diabetes. This means that for how effective a treatment program might be, it is your responsibility to continue working on forming healthy habits and living a sober life.

Once your chosen rehab program has ended, you can find ongoing support through local mutual help groups and 12-step programs.

In any case, it is important to understand that each person’s experience with drug addiction and treatment is unique, and the journey might not be easy or straightforward. Speak to a specialized professional to find the best program for your needs.