Deciding to treat addiction can be confusing because there are so many different options available for drug and alcohol treatment. Questions often arise such as "Can you help me sort out what types of treatment are available?", or "How much time do the different treatments take?", and "Which treatments allow me to maintain a job?"

The different types of drug and alcohol treatment are listed below along with a description of the services they include. Also included are some of the details about how they function.

Inpatient Treatment

If you choose to do inpatient treatment, you will be admitted to a hospital as a patient. This type of treatment for substance abuse is rare today due to changes in insurance company policy. It is usually reserved for those with a severe mental illness or serious medical problem, and often takes place on a locked unit of the hospital. Sometimes adolescents are referred to this type of treatment so that a full medical and psychological evaluation can take place.

Residential Program

In a residential treatment program, you will live on-site while you complete treatment. These programs can last from one month to one year or more. As you progress through the program, you usually are allowed more and more freedom. Treatment happens in stages, and there are usually people in all stages of treatment who attend. You become a part of an intimate community during residential treatment as you sleep, eat, and attend group therapy with other people in the program. Programs are usually small, and often help you address a wide range of needs. Some help people study for the GED or get job training. They also have a strong transitional component, making sure that you have adequate housing and employment upon discharge. Some residential programs allow women to bring their children and provide child care. This type of program is designed for those who have limited family support and need assistance with creating a stable life. These types of programs often help people who have very serious drug or alcohol problems who may not have been helped by other types of treatment.

Partial Hospitalization or Day Treatment

Day treatment allows you to live at your own home while you are in treatment. You attend treatment five days a week, usually for an average of 6 hours a day. Usually you receive both group and individual therapy, and may also see a psychiatrist for medication management. Often these types of programs last about three months. They work best if someone has a stable living situation and social support.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

In this treatment option, you live at home and attend treatment, but less intensely than partial hospitalization or day treatment. Intensive outpatient treatment usually requires an average of 15 hours of treatment per week. Usually this means attending treatment 3 to 5 days a week. Urine and saliva samples are often taken to monitor drug and alcohol use. Intensive outpatient treatment usually allows a person to maintain a part-time job.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment meets for 2 to 3 hours a session for 1 to 5 sessions a week. Usually the program is structured to meet in the evenings or on weekends so that people can remain engaged in full-time employment or educational activities. Those who have the best success in this type of program have strong social support from friends and family members, have transportation to attend the program, and are committed to regular attendance.

Opioid Treatment Programs

This type of program provides medication (such a methadone) for those have an opioid dependence problem. Usually they also provide therapy and consultations with a psychiatrist as a part of treatment. When you begin, you usually come every day to receive your medication. As you progress in treatment, you are allowed a prescription lasting a couple of days so that you do not have to go to the treatment center every day. The intensity and duration of therapy varies widely from program to program. As you can see, there are a range of services available for drug and alcohol treatment. The biggest factor to consider when choosing a type of treatment program is whether or not it will be able to address your needs. The more intense your addiction, the greater is the need for a program with more structure and supervision. At the same time, there are often other responsibilities that you must weigh while going to treatment (such as employment or education). Different programs can help you balance your other responsibilities to a greater or lesser degree. Finally, check out what types of programs are available in your area. Not all treatment options operate in all parts of the country.

See also:

• Al-Anon: Support for Loved Ones of Addicts
• Talk the Talk: Medical Terminology Defined
• Why You Shouldn’t Fight Addiction Alone