The Benefits of Inpatient Addiction Treatment
The Benefits of Inpatient Addiction Treatment
Addiction is a complex illness that can impact every aspect of a person’s life. Determining the best addiction treatment program can be challenging for people struggling with substance use disorder and who want to get help.
Inpatient addiction treatment programs offer people who are experiencing addiction a structured, supportive environment in which to begin recovery. This type of treatment provides 24/7 care and supervision, ensuring patients are supported in a safe, controlled, and comfortable setting carefully designed to maximize their chances of getting sober.
Are you wondering, “Do I need inpatient treatment?” Read on to learn more about the benefits of inpatient addiction treatment and whether it’s right for you.
What Is Inpatient Treatment?
Inpatient addiction treatment, also known as inpatient rehab or residential treatment, refers to live-in treatment programs whereby patients temporarily move into a facility to address substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health disorders. Inpatient rehabs typically also have a detox centre, onsite or nearby, where people can safely come down from the effects of a drug in a controlled and medically supervised environment.
Unlike outpatient programs, where patients attend therapy, counselling, and treatment at a facility but continue living at home (or in the case of virtual addiction treatment programs, attend sessions online), inpatient rehab delivers all these services and more onsite over a significant period of time. The length of inpatient addiction treatment in Ontario can be anywhere from 30 days (37 with detox) to several months. This method of treatment allows patients to fully immerse themselves in recovery, away from the distractions and triggers of everyday life that can make it difficult to manage cravings. Often, these rehab centres are molded to resemble a home-like setting to make patients as comfortable as possible.
Inpatient treatment begins with medically supervised detox at a detox centre. Once an individual has safely managed their withdrawal under the careful watch and guidance of qualified nurses, they receive judgment-free addiction treatment that includes one-on-one therapy, group counselling, and personalized care. As they near the end of their program, they’ll also receive an aftercare plan that will help them cope with addiction once they leave the facility.
6 Benefits of Inpatient Addiction Treatment
Inpatient addiction treatment provides numerous benefits and is a great treatment option for increasing your chances of long-term recovery and successfully managing addiction. Here are some of the benefits that patients who enrol in inpatient rehab experience.
1. Your Detox is Safe, Supervised, and Professional
Before beginning any addiction treatment, you must first detox from alcohol and/or drugs. Detoxification can be an intimidating and potentially dangerous process for many people who have used alcohol or drugs for a prolonged period—however, undergoing detox in a safe, controlled environment, such as at an inpatient detox centre, can far improve your experience.
Not only does inpatient detox allow you to withdraw from drugs or alcohol far more safely (especially for opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol, which can be dangerous to come down from without medical supervision), (1) but it also provides a pathway to treatment that can help you identify triggers for cravings and more successfully begin managing your addiction.
2. Staff Support Can Help You Avoid Relapse
One of the main advantages of inpatient addiction treatment is the constant access you have to professional support. Dedicated staff are available around the clock, offering emotional support and guidance throughout the process. This is particularly important for patients who do not have strong family or community support at home.
For example, throughout the detox process at one of our accredited centres, you’ll have access to onsite nurse practitioners throughout detox and an onsite recovery coordinator who can coach you through the process and your symptoms.
At inpatient rehab, you’ll receive help from licensed therapists and psychiatrists who are experts in providing comprehensive, continuous addiction care during your stay. This consistent presence can reduce the risk of relapse and helps you stay focused on recovery.
3. You Have a Community of Peers
With inpatient treatment, it’s easy to see that you are not alone in your recovery journey. Inpatient treatment offers you the opportunity to connect with a community of peers in recovery and care providers.
This sense of community can be not only comforting but empowering as you connect with other individuals at various points along your journey.
4. Inpatient Rehab Has a Higher Success Rate
For many years, studies have suggested that longer-term residential rehab programs result in better outcomes for people experiencing addiction. (2) The immersive, distraction-free environment of inpatient treatment makes it easier for you to stay committed to your goals. With 24/7 supervision, meals prepared for you, and structured programs, patients are more likely to stay on track and make long-term recovery their reality. That being said, patients with less severe addiction symptoms may not require live-in treatment and may find outpatient treatment to be a better fit, allowing them to maintain their regular routines and responsibilities.
Inpatient addiction treatment offers an organized daily schedule, providing you with a sense of stability and purpose while you undergo addiction treatment. This structure can help you develop the healthy habits that are essential for long-term recovery. Daily activities can include art- and music-based therapy, health and wellness programming, nutritional support, and even fitness training.
5. You Can Completely Focus on Recovery
In an inpatient facility, you can focus solely on recovery, without distractions from work, family, friends, or social pressures and familiar triggers. This uninterrupted time allows you to prioritize healing, engage fully in therapy, and participate in recovery-related activities that help you develop important coping mechanisms without experiencing the usual stressors you might encounter at home.
6. Treatments Are Tailored to Your Specific Needs
One of the most significant benefits of inpatient addiction treatment is the highly personalized care it provides. Everyone experiences substance use disorder differently (3)—with inpatient rehab, treatment plans are tailored to meet your specific needs. Qualified addiction specialists will consider your history of addiction, co-occurring mental health disorders, and personal challenges before creating a treatment plan that targets the root of your addiction.
Inpatient rehab programs often include individual counselling, group therapy, family support, and holistic treatments like mindfulness practices. This comprehensive approach offers you the best chance for recovery.
Do I Need Inpatient Treatment?
While there are numerous benefits to inpatient addiction treatment programs, inpatient rehab isn’t for everyone. Inpatient addiction treatment is most beneficial for individuals with severe addiction, those who need to detox or come down from prolonged drug or alcohol use, and those who do not have strong family support at home. Here are some signs that inpatient treatment might be the right choice for you:
- You are experiencing concurrent disorders (such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD).
- You have difficult managing your substance use on your own.
- You experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to ‘quit’ or abstain from using a drug.
- You have tried quitting before but have not been able to (relapsed).
- You have tried outpatient care but have not been able to enter long-term recovery.
- Your home, work, or other environment triggers your substance use.
If your substance use is negatively affecting your family, job, or overall wellbeing, inpatient rehab may be the right option. CATC’s network of accredited centres delivering inpatient addiction treatment in Ontario offer a safe, supportive environment where individuals can begin or continue their recovery journey. These inpatient addiction treatment and detox centres are staffed with compassionate teams that tailor treatment to your needs, guiding you through each step of the recovery process.
Choose Inpatient Treatment at CATC
Inpatient addiction treatment is an effective option for learning how to successfully manage your alcohol or drug use. It allows you to begin recovery in a safe and supportive community, join a network of peers in a recovery community, avoid relapse, and experience tailored care.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your recovery journey, inpatient treatment with Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres (CATC) may be the right choice for you. Our comprehensive addiction treatment programs provide the judgment-free structure, support, and resources you need to overcome addiction. Located in a variety of settings throughout Ontario that focus on creating a home-like, comfortable atmosphere, our facilities offer a range of specialized programs, including detox, tailored to meet your needs.
Addiction can feel overwhelming, but recovery doesn’t have to be. Click here to learn more about our centres, or contact us today to begin inpatient addiction treatment.
Information on this page is for informational purposes only, and does not replace personalized medical advice. You should never make any decisions about your health without consulting a healthcare professional, especially when related to substance use or mental health. To speak to a qualified member of our team for personalized advice, you can contact us here.
Sources
(1) Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. In-Patient Treatment for Substance Use in Canada.
(2) Overview of 5-year followup outcomes in the drug abuse treatment outcome studies (DATOS)
(3) Government of Canada. Substance Use Treatment.