Many people in the United States have a cursory knowledge of substance abuse therapy, but the popular media's portrayal of drug rehab does not depict the average addict's treatment. For the most part, only recovering addicts and their families fully understand the different types of treatment programs available in America. Every program has a specific purpose, but they all use similar therapeutic practices to illicit positive lifestyle changes from drug abusers. The most intense and longest-lasting of these plans is the residential inpatient program, a thirty-to-ninety day stay at a rehabilitation facility with fifty or more hours of intensive therapies per week. Unfortunately, most people do not understand the nature of these therapies and how they help addicts overcome their compulsions. It is important for laypeople to know what to expect during inpatient programs should they ever fall victim to the disease of addiction.

The one to three-month stay at a rehabilitation center is highly structured and supervised. Clinicians create an environment of isolation from compromising situations which would put addicts at risk of relapse. This isolation can be critical, and many healthcare professionals agree that the first thirty days of sobriety are the most important in breaking bad habits and dealing with negative thought patterns. For some patients, even longer periods of isolation are necessary to solidify positive lifestyle changes and develop strategies for coping with the inevitable real-world pressures to use drugs.

Although inpatient residents live in environments isolated from their normal lives, they usually still cook, clean, and shop for themselves. Their living quarters are somewhat like a college dormitory, complete with in-house facilities such as kitchens, stores, and laundry areas. During the daytime, recovering addicts are required to attend their intensive therapies, but they do have free time in the evenings and on weekends.

The therapies offered during inpatient programs are varied. Among them are:

*Evidence-based therapies: These treatments have been rigorously tested and are typically government-mandated.

*Reality treatment: Patients adopt the simple but important attitude that there are situations in life they can control and others they cannot. It is up to them to recognize the difference and, when possible, take positive actions to control their environments. Reality therapies also involve simply allowing patients to go about as normal a life as possible during the treatment process. Learning coping strategies and healthy thought patterns in a close-to-life environment makes the transition into a drug-free life much easier for addicts.

*Individual Counseling: Substance abusers discuss their behaviors, thought patterns, and emotions with a clinician who helps them uncover the underlying causes of their addictions. These sessions can sometimes uncover co-occurring conditions such as depression or bipolar disorder. Treating these conditions can be essential for a successful treatment process.

*Group Counseling: Addicts share their stories and difficulties with each other in a positively-reinforcing environment. Discussions are facilitated by rehab clinicians.

*Family Counseling: An addict's family members join him or her in a clinician-facilitated discussion. The families explain to addicts the ways in which their behaviors cause them all to suffer.

*Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Substance abusers are taught that any unhappiness or frustration they feel are results of their negative thought patterns. By changing the way they think about their environments and circumstances, addicts are empowered to better themselves.

*Biofeedback: During active drug abuse, many addicts ignore the physical consequences of their behaviors. Biofeedback therapies teach these clients to recognize bodily signs indicative of possible relapse. With a better understanding of biofeedback mechanisms, addicts can avoid a sudden and unexpected return to substance abuse.

Overall, this combination of isolated environments and proven therapies make inpatient programs the most effective choice for addicts seeking first-time help. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, click the links below for a toll-free, obligation-free consultation with one of our counselors.