Feb 16, 2016 | By Tim Powers

6 Signs You Need Inpatient Treatment

Addiction Treatment

The effects of chronic long-term drug and alcohol abuse can be devastating to a person’s physical, mental and spiritual health. If you, a family member or a loved one is in the grips of addiction, the downward spiral will only continue to worsen unless you get the appropriate professional help that is found through a reputable drug rehab facility. There are many drug treatment options that are available to you that provide the programming, support and encouragement you need to address your specific addiction issues–but you may be at a loss knowing which option best suits your needs.

If you are struggling with substance abuse, inpatient addiction treatment provides the best option for long-term recovery. The intensive structure and support of inpatient treatment can supply the tools you need to overcome the issues that have kept you stuck in your substance abuse such as therapy, life skills coaching and relapse prevention education. The following are 6 signs you need inpatient treatment to deal with your addiction.

You Have Relapsed

Perhaps one of  the biggest signs you need inpatient treatment is that you have relapsed. You may have successfully completed a drug treatment program and experienced significant clean time or may have tried to get sober on your own. The fact is that relapse rates for those in recovery can be as high as 90 percent for those in the first year of recovery. Through an inpatient drug treatment program, you will receive the necessary relapse prevention education you need to minimize the cravings and urges to use that can lead to relapse. Additionally, many inpatient drug treatment facilities offer treatment programs that run for 90 days or even longer–and longer treatment stays result in greater chances for long-term recovery success.

Prior Failed Outpatient Treatment

Oftentimes people who are seeking drug treatment may opt for outpatient treatment or day treatment programs because of work, family or school commitments as well as its cost effectiveness. If prior attempts to get clean and sober through outpatient treatment have failed, the structure of inpatient treatment might be more appropriate. Because clients are housed in the same location as treatment and counseling facilities, addicts can fully concentrate on the underlying causes for their addiction as well as obtaining the necessary life and coping skills that will help them continue their recovery in their day-to-day lives.

Don’t Have a Safe Place to Recover

Another one of the signs you need inpatient treatment is if your current environment isn’t drug free and will not support working towards a recovery-based lifestyle. If you are suffering from chronic drug and/or alcohol addiction, you will need easy access to medical care and essential treatment services. Additionally, you may need to have transportation to get to appointments and be able to have healthy meals and adequate nutrition. Inpatient treatment provides all of these in a safe and empowering environment so your sole focus is in your recovery.

Co-Occurring Mental Disorder

More often than not, the abuse of substance is the result of a deeper rooted psychological issue. If you have co-occurring disorders such as depression and anxiety in addition to substance abuse, you will need to undergo inpatient treatment with a specific emphasis on dual diagnosis. In an intensive inpatient setting, both treatment and mental health staff will conduct a comprehensive evaluation in order to check for these mental disorders as well as other psychological conditions that can impact your recovery. If any co-occurring mental disorders are discovered during your evaluation, staff will be able to either modify your treatment plan or make the proper referral to a mental health specialist.

Physical Illness

Your addiction not only can toll on your mental health; it can also significantly impact your physical well-being. Among the physical complications associated with addiction can include cardiovascular disease, anemia, cancer, hepatitis C, seizures and high blood pressure among others. Along with a mental health evaluation, medical staff at an inpatient treatment facility will screen for any physical ailments that are compounding your addiction and recovery.

Lack of Motivation

In general, many addiction treatment programs are provided on a voluntary basis which means that people can drop out at any time. Because this is voluntary, you may not feel the need to recover and may enter an outpatient program in order to placate family and “satisfy the requirement.” The structure of inpatient treatment makes it harder to “fake” your intentions of recovery. Inpatient treatment prevents the addict from having access to drugs and other temptations from the outside world.

How Can I Find An Inpatient Treatment Program That is Right for Me?

If you are in need of drug treatment, there are several things that you need to keep in mind. First and foremost, the inpatient treatment facility you ultimately choose needs to have the appropriate certifications and licenses in the state it is operating. These not only need to be current; they also need to be posted in a highly visible area.

The programming that is offered in an inpatient treatment facility should be evidence-based, proven to work and backed by solid research, and should be comprised of medical detoxification, individual and group therapy and life and coping skills training. These facilities should also feature solid aftercare programs and sober living in order to give you the extra support you need as you transition back into your normal day-to-day life.

Additionally, the ideal inpatient drug treatment program will have a low client-to-staff ratio to ensure that you will get the individual care and attention you need to overcome your addiction issues. The inpatient drug treatment program you choose should also offer programming that will give you the time you need to fully recover physically, psychologically and spiritually.