What Is Rehab?

Rehab, or residential rehabilitation, is a substance abuse, sex, gambling, drug or alcohol addiction treatment facility that typically offers an intense abstinence-based live-in treatment programme for addicts.

Addicts who join the programme live in the treatment centre for a number of weeks or months. They receive 24/7 care and are monitored by medical professionals, especially during the withdrawal and detox phase of their treatment which can be extremely dangerous. There are numerous residential treatment centres around the country that offer a variety of treatment options for people suffering from various forms of addiction. Some treatment centres focus primarily on one type of addiction, like substance use disorder, while others will treat all forms of addiction.

Who Can Benefit From Rehab?

Most commonly, rehab is designed to help people addicted to gambling, sex, drugs or alcohol overcome their addiction and live happy, productive, drug-free lives. Once completed, successful rehab enables the addicted person to return to their normal lives and communities to enjoy healthy pursuits and relationships with their friends, family and co-workers.

Rehab and Treatment Options

There are a number of different rehab models and it is essential to do some research to find the treatment option that will work best for you and your family. When choosing a rehab centre, it is important to check the following information;

• The treatment facilities accreditation and certification
• The certification, education, expertise and experience of medical professionals and staff members working at the treatment centre
• The individual treatment plans and options, including ongoing outpatient support and prevention planning
• The therapeutic interventions used and the facilities experience in treating your type of addiction

Traditional residential rehab programmes typically involve living in a residential treatment facility and being separated from your daily life and the environment that is enabling your addiction. There are six main approaches to rehab that treatment centres traditionally follow. Some treatment centres will primarily use one philosophy, but others will use a combination of approaches depending on your needs. Before choosing a treatment facility, it is important to seek medical advice and match your needs to the rehab’s treatment approach or philosophy.

• – The 12-Step Philosophy

This approached is based on the universally recognised 12-Step Programme (also known as the Minnesota Model) that is commonly associated with Alcoholic Anonymous. The 12-Step programme focuses on the disease model of addiction and during treatment, you work your way through the 12 steps as an integral part of your recovery. Many treatment facilities and drug and alcohol rehab programmes use a modified version of the 12-Step programme and use it in conjunction with other treatment approaches like cognitive behavioural therapy. The residential programme can last up to three months and once you leave the treatment facility you will be expected to attend regular group meetings in your community.

• – The Therapeutic Community Philosophy

This is a group therapy approach to treating addiction and relies on everyone in the treatment centre, both staff and clients, working together as members of the rehab community. As you work through the programme you focus on different activities at each stage to acquire greater freedom and responsibilities as you progress from one stage to the next. The day’s activities include support group therapy, education, training and developing practical skills as well as strategies for coping with live outside rehab. Like the 12-Step Programme, this is a long road and residential treatment typically ranges from six months to a year.

• – Faith-based Rehab Philosophy

The faith-based approach relies on using religious beliefs and faith to help you overcome your drug or alcohol addiction. It requires the staff to be religious and you generally need to share the same faith and participate in faith-based activities, including prayer, reading and studying of religious texts as well as religious instruction and discussion. These programmes are often rigid and are not as flexible in their approach to addiction and treatment.

• – Personal Development and Skills-based Philosophy

This model focuses on developing practical skills, education, employment training, knowledge and coping strategies to deal with addiction rather than psychological therapy. This approach focuses on providing you with useful skills and structure that will help you overcome your addiction by giving you more opportunities to improve yourself and your circumstances once you leave the treatment centre. The rehab centre will provide education and practical skills that can be applied once you leave rehab and the programme often includes work experience opportunities.

• – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is often used in conjunction with other approaches. It is an intensive treatment designed to re-wire the brain and gradually change your attitude towards sex, gambling, drugs or alcohol. The technique can continue to be used post-treatment to help you cope with your cravings and desires.

• – The Integrated Approach

The integrated approach does not adhere to one particular model or philosophy and uses a number of different treatment options to focus on meeting the needs of each individual in the treatment centre. There are also residential rehab treatment programmes that include supported housing linked to structured treatment and social services in your local community, but these are not as common or well recognised as the more traditional addiction treatment

What Is Rehab & What to Expect?

Rehab is an intensive treatment programme designed to give you the best chance of long term recovery from addiction, but it requires commitment from you, your family and your wider support network. Residential rehab is not an easy road to walk and it comes with many challenges, but it is also the best chance that you have of kicking your habit and getting your life back on track.

A treatment facility will usually evaluate every person individually and put together a personalised rehab programme which is created to guide and support you to successful long-term recovery and promote wellbeing. The process begins with an in-depth interview and assessment of your social, psychological and mental health history by a medical professional or psychologist. Once the staff at the treatment facility has a clear idea on the severity of your addiction, they will be able to produce a specialised treatment plan that suits your needs.

Many drug rehab centres and other addiction treatment programmes use a holistic approach that includes cognitive behavioural therapy, skills and personal development, family and peer group therapy sessions and elements of the 12-Step programme. Residential rehab centres allow you to learn from the experiences of others and realise that you are not alone in your addiction or struggles.

If you feel like rehab is the treatment option for you, then call Action Rehab today on 0151 268 6992 for FREE and confidential no-obligation advice.

Posted on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019 at 3:30 pm in Rehab.