A residential inpatient program at a Florida drug rehab center or anywhere in the country is the most intense and comprehensive drug addiction treatment program available. Residential inpatient programs are also considered far more successful than other types, such as partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs. In fact, most serious recovery centers offer their patients a "step-down" approach where they can move from residential inpatient to partial hospitalization, to intensive outpatient and then full reintegration with the community. However, very few facilities offer true residential inpatient programs, so people seeking help for drug addiction or alcoholism are encouraged to learn as much as they can about these valuable and highly successful treatment programs.

A true residential inpatient program or Inpatient Substance Abuse Program is a place where clients both live and receive therapy. These programs are generally 30 days long and include intensive therapies such as group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, medication therapy, PAWS and relapse prevention therapies, and many others. One of the most successful residential inpatient programs in the country - Recovery First's drug rehab center in Florida - provides more than 66 hours per week of intensive therapies to its clients. This is in addition to life skills education and some recreation and relaxation time.

As with Recovery First's drug rehab in Florida, patients are placed in an environment that is as similar to what they will return to after treatment as possible. This is referred to as a "reality based" residential treatment philosophy because clients are expected to be fully responsible for themselves and their treatment. They cook, clean, shop and go on outings together. This is meant to mimic "real life" so that addiction practices and philosophies can be applied in a realistic manner. However, patients are monitored at all times by competent and professional addiction treatment specialists - many of whom have decades of recovery themselves and therefore bring personal experience to the table. This creates a sense of fellowship and acceptance that is vital to making full use of what a residential inpatient program has to offer.

A true residential inpatient drug treatment program should never be confused with a "Florida Model" addiction treatment program. Unfortunately, many drug rehab centers claim to offer a residential inpatient program when in reality they do not. Instead, this type of program consists of therapy during the day and offsite housing during the evening hours. This offers little supervision, low structure, and high propensity for relapse. A person who is suffering from drug addiction or alcoholism and genuinely needs help would be best served by an actual residential inpatient program.

If you or someone you love needs a residential inpatient program but you need assistance in deciding where to turn, you should consider Recovery First. We are one of the few remaining TRUE residential inpatient programs anywhere in the country. Making a commitment to get help is one of the most profound things an addict or alcoholic will ever do in their lives, and it's not easy. To make sure you get the best shot possible at a lifetime of successful recovery, your best chance is by participating in a bona fide residential inpatient addiction treatment program.