Drug and Alcohol Rehab FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about drug and alcohol rehab programs.
What is addiction?
Despite lots of false information that has been spread as "truth", addiction to alcohol or other drugs is not a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is incurable. Addiction is a set of mental and physical reactions to chemical dependency, which are created by repeated use of any substance. Although the symptoms can be slightly different for everyone, an effective rehabilitation program will help them address both the mental and physical sides of the problem to handle the underlying reason for continued drug use.
What's the difference between treatment and rehabilitation?
Drug treatment and drug rehabilitation are often used interchangeably, however they can actually have very different meanings. To treat something is only to address the symptoms, so facilities that treat addiction often only use drug replacement therapy and offer counseling, but don't offer permanent solutions to solving the problem once and for all. Rehabilitation means to restore the person to the way they were, or better, than before they ever started using alcohol or other drugs. A true rehabilitation program will help someone put addiction behind them forever.
What's wrong with drug replacement therapy?
Drug replacement therapy is most commonly used to treat opiate addiction. However, putting someone on a maintenance drug such as methadone or buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex) only leaves them addicted to that new drug and doesn't fix the problem.
What about drugs for mental diagnoses - such as antidepressants, antipsychotics and anti-anxiety medications?
In most cases these drugs are not only necessary, but can actually make the problem worse over time and can cause a person to continually relapse. Most of these mental disorder diagnoses are completely incorrect because the original drug use creates symptoms that appear to fall into these disorder categories. We have seen throughout the years much higher success rates in programs that try to use more natural approaches to reset the person's own natural balance and not need any other drugs.
How long should a drug rehab program be?
There is no set time period that defines a successful rehabilitation program, however it is generally accepted that a longer-term program (more than 30 days) is going to be more effective. We often recommend at least 90 days, as one month is rarely enough time to address the whole problem.
Will health insurance cover drug rehabilitation services?
This is not an easy answer. Many people with health insurance policies to have substance abuse benefits that will pay a portion of a rehabilitation program's cost. Not all rehab centers accept insurance as a form of payment, but may be able to help you get an estimation of benefits and assist in the filing of the insurance to help you get the maximum reimbursement out of your policy.
Should the rehab program be close by or out of the state?
It is good for addicts to get out of their current environments so there are no distractions from completing the program. Traveling far away can be helpful for this reason as well as to reduce the chances of someone leaving the program early. Nearly every person going through treatment has rough days and wants to leave at some point, so having to travel can make it more difficult. In other cases, the addict may be completely willing and want to get better and are determined to do whatever it takes. If there is a program close by that fits what you're looking for, then it's not always a negative to be so close to home. The main point is not to let location decide where you get help because you may eliminate more successful options that may not have locations in your desired places. The program itself should be top priority and location should be less of a consideration if at all possible.
Does an addict have to hit rock bottom before they can be helped?
Definitely not. This concept that you can't help an addict until he is willing only has some truth to it. Most people who need rehabilitation don't find it on their own - it takes people who care about them to make the initial effort. In addition, we have seen very good results with intervention specialists who are highly skilled at getting addicts to agree to get help. If you wait for rock bottom - it could be too late. The right thing to do is try to bring that bottom up to where they are now so they don't fall any further.
How much do drug rehab centers cost?
As with any healthcare services, cost is a factor. We have found that most inpatient facilities average between $7,000 to $10,000 per month. The range is very wide though, as some could rely only on donations or tax dollars and not require any payment for the program participant or it could be well over $100,000. For a good longer-term program, it's not unusual for it to be somewhere between $15,000 and $45,000. We specialize in helping people find successful programs that are more affordable.
What is a good success rate?
While there is no current benchmark for success in the drug rehabilitation and treatment field, there are some programs that promote a much higher percentage of success. Some of these promotions are completely valid and some are based on flawed results. It's important to first find out what the facility considers a success to be and how they count that for their program. Once you have their definition you can compare that to the definition of other centers and what their reported success rates are.
If you have any other questions or would like to get help for a loved one in need of an alcohol or drug rehab program, please contact us today and we will do our best to assist you.
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