What are the Levels of Care in Addiction Treatment?

What are the Levels of Care in Addiction Treatment?

Overcoming addiction is not easy. Getting the right kind of treatment can make all the difference when it comes to achieving long-term recovery. 

One thing you will want to consider when choosing the plan that’s best for you is which level of rehab you need. This article will discuss the levels of care in addiction treatment so you can find the solution that’s suited to your needs. 

What are the Levels of Care in Addiction Treatment?

The levels of care in addiction treatment are as follows. 

Inpatient Care

Inpatient care involves staying at the facility 24/7. Treatment is typically integrated with three phases as follows:

Detox: This involves the patient allowing toxins to leave their system. They will experience withdrawal symptoms as their body adjusts to sobriety. The staff will offer supervision throughout the process to keep them as comfortable as possible and ensure relapse doesn’t occur. 

Therapy: After detox is complete, the patient will move on to therapy. Facilities typically take a dual diagnosis approach that simultaneously treats addiction and its underlying cause. A customized plan is worked out based on the patient’s needs. 

Aftercare: After the patient graduates from an inpatient program, they move on to outpatient treatment. The facility continues to provide therapy to ensure the patient maintains sobriety. 

Outpatient Care

Outpatient care may be used as the primary form of rehab or as a follow-up to inpatient care. It has its own levels of rehab, including the following:

Partial Hospitalization: This involves the patient staying in the hospital for 6- 8 hours a day for therapy treatment. Patients may attend day or nighttime sessions. They can spend the rest of their days at work or with their families. 

Intensive Outpatient: Intensive outpatient involves the patient attending therapy sessions a few times a week. 

Outpatient: Individuals in outpatient rehab programs will go for sessions once or twice a week or on an as-needed basis. They may continue this treatment lifelong to maintain sobriety. 

How Do I Know Which Program is Right for Me?

The type of program you choose will depend on a variety of factors, including the following. 

Severity of Addiction: If your addiction is severe, you may require the round-the-clock care of an inpatient facility. 

Status of Home Life: If you live in an environment where abuse is prevalent, an inpatient facility may be your best option. It will take you away from the people that could be impeding your progress.

Personal Situation: Some people may not be able to take time away from work and family to recover. If this is the case, outpatient will be the best option.

Financial Situation: Inpatient treatment is more expensive than outpatient and may not be feasible for people who can’t afford it. 

What is the Importance of Individualized Treatment?

On top of finding the levels of rehab that are right for you, it’s important to find a facility that offers individualized treatment. 

Every patient has different needs and personalities. Facilities must veer away from a cookie-cutter approach that doesn’t recognize individuality. They must find a customized program that is best suited to their situation. This will be the best approach for long-term healing.  

A variety of therapies may be integrated into an individualized plan depending on the patient’s situation. These include cognitive-behavioral therapy, alternative therapy, family therapy, and more. 

How to Find the Drug and Alcohol Program That Fits My Needs

There are many rehab facilities that offer various levels of rehab. But how do you find the one that’s right for you? You can spend hours searching for the perfect solution, or you can save yourself time by contacting My Recovery Source first. 

My Recovery Source is a free service specializing in matching patients with the rehab best suited to their needs. They provide guidance regardless of your location and your financial and personal situation. They can help you or a loved one find the assistance you need. 

Fighting addiction is not easy. My Recovery Source will get you in the right direction when it comes to finding a facility that’s right for you. Call or email to get on a path to long-term recovery and an improved quality of life.

What Does Rehab Look Like?

What Does Rehab Look Like?

Getting help for addiction can be scary. There are so many things to think about. What will people think of you if you check into a rehab facility? What will you do about your job, wife, or kids when away? What does rehab look like?

Well, we might not have all the answers for you, but we can tell you this. Rehab will get you in a much better place, and anyone who thinks less of you for getting help is not a friend worth having. We can also give you an idea of what to expect from rehab.

This article will answer the question, what is rehab like, so you know what to expect.

What Does Rehab Look Like?

What they do in rehab may vary depending on the facility you go to and your individual needs, but it usually involves a three-part process as follows:

Detox: Detox is typically the first step in rehab. It involves allowing your body to rid itself of toxins.

 Many patients find detox to be the most challenging part of recovery. Their bodies are used to having the drug in their system, and it reacts by producing unwanted withdrawal symptoms as it adjusts to sobriety.

Fortunately, most rehabs have a professional staff that oversees the detox process. They provide medications and keep the patient as comfortable as possible. They offer supervision to ensure relapse doesn’t occur.

Therapy: After a patient completes detox, they start on a therapy program. The facility will evaluate the patient to determine the type of therapy they think is best. This could include cognitive behavioral therapy, alternative therapy, family therapy, and more.

A dual diagnosis approach is often integrated, treating the addiction and its underlying causes.

Aftercare: Aftercare is the final stage of therapy. It takes place after the patient checks out of the facility and gets back into the ‘real world’.

During this time, a patient is likely to go back to their old ways. They will be dealing with stressors that led them to use. They will see people they used with and places they used at, and they will be tempted to fall back on bad habits.

The rehab will continue providing them support to ensure they maintain sobriety.

What are the Levels of Treatment in Rehab?

Treatment can be inpatient or outpatient. Those that start with an inpatient treatment will check into a rehab for 24/7 care.

After they complete the program, they will start on their outpatient plan. This can take the form of partial hospitalization, which involves the patient staying at the facility 6-8 hours a day and then going home to their families.

Once they start improving, they can move to an intensive outpatient program that offers a few sessions a week, and finally, an outpatient program that may entail just one or two sessions a week.

While some patients start with inpatient care, others will start with an outpatient program. They may start at any level of outpatient treatment, including partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, or outpatient. Their personal situation will dictate which is best.  

How Do I Know Which Rehab is Best for Me?

There are several things to consider when finding the rehab that is right for you. These include:

  • The type of care provided i.e. inpatient/outpatient
  • The type of therapy offered
  • The level of care provided in the clinic
  • Staff experience
  • The atmosphere in the clinic
  • Cost and whether they accept insurance
  • Location

How to Find Addiction Treatment Near Me

Finding addiction treatment that’s right for you is not easy. You can spend hours searching for the perfect facility on the internet, or you can save yourself time by going to My Recovery Source first.

My Recovery Source is a free resource that specializes in finding people addiction facilities that are best suited for their situation. They offer help regardless of your location or your personal or financial situation. Email or call them to find referrals for yourself or a loved one. Fighting addiction is not easy. My Recovery Source can help you find the rehab center that’s right for you. Contact us today to take the first step towards a happy and healthy tomorrow.

What is the Difference Between Alcoholism and Binge Drinking?

What is the Difference Between Alcoholism and Binge Drinking?

Alcohol is accessible to the masses. Therefore, alcohol addiction is among the most common addictions a person can develop.

There are different types of issues that can be identified as drinking problems. These are primarily categorized as binge drinking and alcoholism. They both involve drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, but they are not the same. 

This article will discuss the difference between alcoholism and binge drinking so you can better understand what’s involved with each. 

What is Binge Drinking?

Binge drinking involves drinking alcohol to the point where it increases your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to a level of .08 or higher in a short amount of time. The number of drinks you must have to reach this level differs depending on your body size and other biological factors. In general, it amounts to four or more drinks for a female, or five or more drinks for a male, although that can vary based on various factors. 

While binge drinking can be a one-time occurrence, it is often repeated behavior. Binge drinking can lead to a variety of health issues. It can make the person more likely to engage in dangerous behavior that can cause injuries or fatalities. It can also lead to a weakened immune system, acute pancreatitis, liver disease, and certain kinds of cancers. 

Binge drinking can also lead to death. 95,000 deaths linked to alcohol abuse occurred in the U.S. between 2011 and 2015. Almost half were due to binge drinking. 

What is the Difference Between Alcoholism and Binge Drinking?

A person who binge drinks will do so occasionally. They may decide to engage in binge drinking a few times a week, a few times a month, or a few times a year. This differs from an alcoholic who drinks on an ongoing basis. They may drink from the moment they wake up in the morning until they go to sleep at night. 

Alcoholism is also more closely tied to addiction. A person who drinks constantly will begin to develop withdrawal symptoms. These will occur because they get used to having alcohol in their body. When alcohol is not in their system, they will be unable to function normally. It will react with symptoms like shakes, digestive issues, headaches, and more. 

The person knows the only way to get rid of these symptoms is to drink more alcohol. This makes for a vicious cycle of addiction. But just because binge drinking is not as addictive, that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. Unlike an alcoholic, a binge drinker’s body isn’t used to alcohol. This means they are more likely to overdose.

Does Binge Drinking Require an Alcohol Rehab Center?

Binge drinking may require you to go to an alcohol rehab center. It really depends on how often you binge drink and how much of a problem it’s getting to be. 

If you notice that you are engaging in binge drinking more often and it’s getting in the way of your ability to function, or it’s starting to affect your physical health, it may be time to reach out. 

It’s also possible that your binge drinking is starting to turn into alcohol addiction. If you started out binge drinking but are now noticing the development of withdrawal symptoms, you may want to consider checking into a rehab facility. 

How to Find Alcohol Addiction Treatment That Fits My Needs

There are many alcohol addiction treatment centers out there. But how can you determine which one is right for you?

It’s important to find a center that offers the type of treatment you are looking for. They should provide knowledgeable staff, a comfortable environment, and an affordable program. You can spend hours trying to find the perfect place, or you can save yourself time by looking up My Recovery Source first. 

My Recovery Source is a free resource devoted to helping people with dependency issues find the facility that’s right for them. We will help you find treatment regardless of your location or personal or financial situation. Call or email today to find assistance for yourself or a loved one. 

Alcohol issues can significantly reduce the quality of life. If you need help, call My Recovery Source first. We will get you on the path to finding the health and happiness you deserve.

How Do I Know If I’m An Alcoholic?

How Do I Know If I’m An Alcoholic?

Alcoholism is one of the most common addictions. In 2019, an estimated 14.5 million American adults had a diagnosable alcohol use disorder. This is because alcoholism is legal and readily available.

There are many people that drink recreationally and may not realize an addiction has formed. If this is the case, they may not get the help they need, and their substance abuse disorder can spiral out of control.

This article will answer the question, “how do I know if I am an alcoholic,” so you can determine if you need to reach out for immediate help.

What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is defined as an addiction to alcohol. People that are alcoholics will require a drink to function normally. They will feel an urge to drink throughout the day, and they will be unable to control their cravings. While they may be able to hide their alcoholism short-term, it will get to the point where it spirals out of control.

How Do I Know If I Am an Alcoholic?

If you drink excessively, you may notice that you are beginning to develop a tolerance towards alcohol. You will need to drink more to get the same effects.

After a while, you may start experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Your body will get so used to having the alcohol in its system it will be unable to function normally without it. Common signs of alcohol withdrawal are shaking, agitation, insomnia, disorientation, headache, and nausea.

The only way to rid yourself of these symptoms short term is to drink more alcohol. This will get you headed in a vicious cycle.

Other signs of alcoholism include:

  • Slurred speech
  • Blackouts
  • Forgetfulness
  • Confusion
  • Vomiting
  • Lack of self-care
  • Dishonest behavior
  • Dangerous behavior
  • Troubled relationships
  • Mood swings
  • Financial issues
  • Legal issues

Is There an Alcoholism Test?

If you are wondering, am I an alcoholic, you may want to take an alcoholism test.

There is no alcoholism test that can be done in a lab. However, if you visit a doctor, you can have blood work done to determine how alcohol is affecting your health. The testing can show how drinking affects your liver, blood pressure, and heart health.

You can also take a non-physical test that assesses your behavior to determine whether you are an alcoholic. This will include questions on how often you drink and how drinking is affecting your mental health, productivity, and relationships with others.

What Causes Alcoholism?

There are many factors that may cause alcoholism, including the following:

Genetics: There is evidence that people with a close relative addicted to alcohol will be more likely to become addicted themselves. It is unclear how genetics play a part.

Environment: People that deal with a stressful environment or have been exposed to trauma and abuse are more likely to become alcoholics.

Mental Illness: Many people dealing with mental illness are reluctant to get help. They may be afraid of what people think of them if they come forward about their disorder or may not think their issues are that bad. Instead of reaching out, they self-medicate with alcohol. Although the alcohol may reduce symptoms short term, it will ultimately take them on a downward spiral, making matters worse.

How to Find Alcohol Addiction Treatment?

There are many alcohol addiction treatment centers out there, and you will find them by doing a bit of internet research. But it’s essential to find one that’s right for you. The facility must provide the treatment you require, a comfortable atmosphere, a caring staff, high success rates, and more.

You can spend hours trying to find the perfect clinic, or you can save time by contacting My Recovery Source first.

My Recovery Source offers free referral services for rehab clinics. We will get you the help you need regardless of your location and personal and financial situation. We will see to it that you get the customized care you require. Alcoholism dramatically reduces the quality of life. If you are dealing with dependency issues, don’t hesitate to contact My Recovery Source. We will get you on the road to achieving your recovery goals.