Types of Drug and Alcohol Rehab: Which is Right for Me?

Exploring the different types of rehab.
Dominic Nicosia

Written By

Dominic Nicosia
Dr. Po-Chang Hsu -

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Po-Chang Hsu

Last Medically Reviewed on January 21, 2024

There are many types of alcohol and rehab. The type of program you or your loved one chooses depends on a variety of factors. You need to find a place that fits your clinical and lifestyle needs. Finding a program that best suits your needs helps prevent relapse. Some things to consider when choosing a drug and alcohol rehab center include clinical services, therapies offered, cost, program length, level of care (for example, inpatient vs. outpatient), location, and other healthcare needs.

Cost and Budget: What Types of Drug and Alcohol Rehab Can I Afford?

Cost is one of the biggest concerns when considering types of drug and alcohol rehab. Many factors influence how much you will have to pay for treatment. These include duration, amenities, therapies offered, location, type of program, and more. It is estimated that people who complete a rehab program save money in the long run. This is because they are less likely to experience costly legal and drug-related emergencies. Additionally, people in recovery are more productive at work and better able to maintain employment. You must consider treatment options that are covered by your insurance provider (if you have health insurance) and that fit your budget. Financially speaking, rehab is a good investment – it costs more to keep using.

Length of Time Spent in Treatment

Drug and alcohol rehab can usually last anywhere from 10 to 90 days, depending on what kind of treatment you’re considering. Some allow you to choose how long you stay, while others require a certain length of time. If you have a busy life, consider insurance coverage, or have limited financial means, a shorter program duration may be best. For example, inpatient treatment may last two to four weeks, and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs may last anywhere from 10 to 30 days. You must select which type of program and length of stay will best fit your needs.

Level of Care and Treatment Type

The level to which you are addicted will determine the level of care necessary in order to ensure the best possible treatment outcomes. This may be determined during an intake or you may decide on your own. Inpatient treatment requires you to live in a treatment facility and is more intensive than outpatient, which allows for more independence. In outpatient treatment, a person may live at home or in supportive housing.

If you have responsibilities that cannot be unattended to, having the ability to return home after each day in an outpatient program is necessary. However, in order to attend, you must be able to use learned coping skills outside of program hours to avoid relapse. If you cannot do so, you require inpatient treatment, which has a higher success rate but costs more. Adversely, outpatient treatment is less expensive but has lower rates of success.

The Location of the Program

There are thousands of treatment centers in the United States. Choosing the option that is best for you will require you to prioritize the different aspects of rehab. If the physical environment is important, there are facilities located in different kinds of settings. You may decide to attend treatment somewhere with enjoyable activities for you and your loved ones, including museums, parks, shopping, and others. Many rehab providers have locations across the country.

Your Other Healthcare Needs

You need a rehab center that can meet your other healthcare needs. For example, many people who struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD) or alcohol use disorder (AUD) also have at least one co-occurring mental health issue. If this is the case, you require a dual-diagnosis treatment program to address your addiction and psychological needs.

Additionally, drugs and alcohol take a tremendous toll on your body and some people have health problems unrelated to their addiction. If you require medication management and healthcare services for other conditions, you must be sure that you attend a program that can manage all your healthcare issues.

If you’re struggling with moderate or severe withdrawal symptoms, you should also consider detoxification (detox). Choose a rehab center that offers detox onsite as part of its menu of care services or coordination with a nearby healthcare facility. Recovery Unplugged offers detox from trained doctors and nurses who can help alleviate your or your loved one’s physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.

Do You Need Medication-Assisted Treatment?

If you or your loved one struggle with lingering withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin or prescription opioids, you may benefit from medication-assisted treatments with FDA-approved drugs like Suboxone®, Vivitrol®, or methadone. Use of these medications should be closely supervised by an experienced and qualified professional. See if the alcohol and drug rehab center you’re considering offers these services so you can start healing from withdrawal.

Recovery Unplugged offers a full range of alcohol and drug rehab services to help you or your loved one heal from substance use disorder. We offer locations nationwide, multiple levels of care, pet-friendly treatment, and specialized LGBTQ+ rehab programs. Contact us now to start treatment and to learn what types of drug and alcohol rehab are right for you.

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Dominic Nicosia

Dominic, a seasoned content writer at Recovery Unplugged, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the realm of healthcare writing, particularly in the addiction and recovery field.

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