Inpatient Drug Treatment: An Overview

Drug treatment—sometimes called drug rehab—refers to programs designed to help individuals overcome addiction to drugs. There are many different types of drug treatment programs, including inpatient, outpatient, 12-step, and more.

For individuals who need drug treatment, inpatient programs can provide a safe and secure environment away from the risk of temptation.

The benefits of inpatient drug treatment

There are many benefits to undergoing drug treatment in an inpatient setting. First, inpatient drug treatment removes addicts from their familiar environment—one that may be filled with people and situations that encourage them to use drugs. Second, inpatient drug treatment is focused on one thing and one thing only—recovery. This allows individuals to leave other responsibilities behind and devote all of their energy to overcoming addiction. Finally, inpatient drug treatment is safe and supported; it provides a safe physical and emotional environment in which individuals can explore the underlying patterns that led to drug abuse.

While it may seem drastic to opt for inpatient drug treatment, individuals with severe drug addiction can benefit from the intensive and comprehensive nature of the treatment.

What to expect from inpatient drug treatment

Most inpatient drug treatment programs begin with medically assisted detoxification, which refers to the period of time during which the addict stops using drugs and undergoes withdrawal. By medically monitoring the detoxification process, physicians can provide clinical support for patients experiencing acute withdrawal symptoms. Often, physicians will administer cross-tolerant drugs, such as methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, in order to suppress withdrawal symptoms, diminish cravings, and reestablish normal brain chemistry. The length of the detoxification period varies depending on the severity of addiction and can last up to several months.

Detoxification is only the first step in drug treatment and is designed to eliminate the physiological addiction to the drug. Once a patient is physically stable, most inpatient drug treatment programs will provide intensive therapy designed to address the psychological addiction and underlying issues associated with drug use. This therapy usually includes individual sessions, group sessions, and family involvement.

Inpatient drug treatment at Alta Mira

Alta Mira Recovery Center is an inpatient drug treatment facility with a unique and effective approach. Overlooking the San Francisco Bay in Sausalito, California, the center provides a safe haven where individuals can retreat to overcome addiction, recover, heal, and grow.

Alta Mira is one of the only inpatient drug treatment facilities that provides the best of both worlds—world-class clinical treatment in a holistic environment. Here, patients are encouraged not just to overcome addiction, but to develop a healthy lifestyle that will provide a strong foundation for a lifetime of recovery.

Contact Alta Mira today

If you would like to learn more about inpatient drug treatment at Alta Mira, please call us at 866-922-1350.