Residential Treatment
- Inpatient vs. Residential
When it comes to addiction treatment, there are a variety of different levels of care that a person may seek. Individuals with severe addiction issues are usually placed into either inpatient or residential treatment programs in order to ensure that they receive the care that is necessary for their condition. You many have heard the terms residential and inpatient used interchangeably, however they are not the same thing.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment is the most intensive level of treatment, offering 24-hour medical care within a treatment facility or hospital. This treatment option is best for those with severe substance abuse issues, who need constant monitoring to provide safety from withdrawal concerns. The main goal of inpatient treatment is to stabilize symptoms while developing a continuing treatment plan so that the next, often lower, level of care can be determined. Inpatient treatment programs are generally short-term, usually ranging from a few days to a week.
Residential Treatment: The Basics
Residential treatment is a step down from inpatient treatment. While there is structure and monitoring to treatment, the big difference between residential and inpatient treatment involves the setting in which it takes place. While inpatient treatment is typically carried out in a hospital, residential treatment is usually carried out in more comfortable environment.
The medical team will assist clients in residential settings, but not on the all-day, every-day magnitude of inpatient, hospital setting. Because of this, many clients that complete inpatient treatment will opt to enter a residential program as their next step toward recovery.
Key Differences
As you can see, the key differences in inpatient and residential treatment are the intensity of the treatment and environment where treatment is carried out in. Inpatient treatment consists of 24/7 monitoring, while residential treatment consists of monitoring, but not quite on a 24/7 intensity. In terms of environment, residential is a more comfortable, home-like setting, where inpatient consists of a secure part of a hospital.
- Length of Stay
Individuals progress through drug addiction treatment at various rates, so there is no predetermined length of stay for treatment. However, research has shown that good outcomes are dependent on adequate treatment length. Generally, for residential treatment, participation is for 30 to 45 days. If a client continues with a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and follow with an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), their treatment journey can be extended for 90 days to a year. Addiction treatment for less than 90 days is of limited effectiveness, and treatment lasting significantly longer is recommended for maintaining positive outcomes.
But what happens when a client is resistant to treatment or chooses to dropout? Treatment dropout is one of the major problems encountered by treatment programs; therefore, a solid treatment program is skilled at motivational techniques that can keep clients engaged, thereby improving outcomes. By understanding that addiction is a chronic disease and being willing to participate in continuing care and monitoring, addiction clients can succeed. Do not be discouraged if you or a loved one experiences a relapse. Getting sober and on the road to recovery can often require multiple episodes of treatment. Relapse is part of the journey.
- What to Expect
When you make the decision to seek treatment for a substance use disorder, it is natural to have doubts and questions. Being nervous, or even scared, is a normal reaction to giving up one way of life and trusting a treatment program to help you learn another. A knowledgeable, caring treatment team will make you feel comfortable every step of the way. The first person you speak to is often a member of an admissions team, trained to help you get through the first step, admitting that there is a problem. The next step to getting the help you need is providing information about insurance, drug and alcohol use history, and prior treatment experiences to the admissions team so that they can schedule admission to a program.
On your first day of treatment, it’s easy to feel anxious and overwhelmed. To help you settle in, the first stop is to show you to your room and help you get your bags unpacked. To help you feel comfortable, the residential treatment staff will do their best to make you feel welcomed and supported. Most treatment programs have a “buddy” system, where an existing client will introduce you to the other people in the program and show you the ropes. Remember that every person you encounter has made these same first steps.
Depending on the day and time of your arrival, your participation in groups may be optional. Even if you are hesitant, jumping in and getting involved will help ease the transition into a treatment program. You can look forward to meeting other people with similar issues that can offer support and understanding as you begin this important journey toward recovery.
We Accept Insurance:
The cost of addiction treatment can prevent some people from seeking out the treatment they need. There are a variety of options that can help cover the cost of treatment, including:
- State and locally funded addiction treatment programs
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants.
- Medicare and Medicaid
- S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Many treatment programs may cost-prohibitive for a large number of people. As a result, many people who may be ready to get help for their addiction put off treatment, which means that those people may decide to not get help at all. To make sure that treatment is attainable when it is needed, there are public assistance options that can offer these people the financial support they need to begin the recovery process.
Health insurance is not required to get the care you need for your addiction treatment. Even if you are insured, you may wish to pay cash for drug rehab instead of filing insurance claims and worrying about treatment authorization and coverage. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that 23.5 million people over the age of 12 needed treatment for a drug or alcohol abuse problem in 2009. Unfortunately, only 11.2 percent of these individuals sought treatment for their condition.
If you suffer from an alcohol or drug abuse issue, it’s important to get the help you need to live a healthy, well-balanced life. There is hope in the form of addiction treatment. Private pay rehab centers are located across the country, making high-quality drug abuse treatment an option for many individuals.
Outreach, screening, assessment and referral (OSAR) centers may be the first point of contact for people seeking substance use disorder treatment services. Texas residents who are seeking services and information may qualify for services based on need. OSARs are now located at local mental health authorities in all 11 Texas Health and Human Service regions. For immediate and confidential help, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, please call the OSAR LMHA in your region. Counties served by each OSAR are listed below the contact information in the list of OSAR LMHAs. You may also call or contact 211 Texas. Dial 2-1-1 or call 877-541-7905.
Please check with your provider for coverage.