If you or a loved one suffers from alcoholism or drug use, you might wonder about residential substance abuse treatment. Asking for help can feel overwhelming, and learning about all the options for recovery is stressful. Please be rest assured that you are not alone!
Here we will provide the ultimate guide to residential substance abuse treatment, including common terms used in the drug and alcohol world and some background information on what residential treatment is for substance abuse. Also, practical information such as the admissions process, what to expect on arrival, and insurance considerations will be presented.
Taking the plunge on the road to recovery is not easy. Showing yourself compassion and grace is a challenge when you are struggling. Please know that you are worth it!
Standard Terms in The World Of Substance Abuse Recovery
- Residential Substance Abuse Treatment– What is residential treatment for substance abuse? Also commonly known as RTC, residential treatment is a type of intense treatment where you live in a residential facility so that your symptoms can be monitored and treated 24/7. RTC is an inpatient service appropriate if the severity of your substance use affects several areas of your life. Maybe you have tried outpatient treatment but have been unable to remain sober.
- Detox- There are two types of detox; medical and subacute. Medical detox occurs in a hospital when your withdrawal from substances may be life-threatening. Subacute detox takes place in a residential substance abuse treatment facility, usually on a different floor or wing of the RTC. Subacute detox usually lasts anywhere from 4-7 days to help you feel better and “step down” to residential treatment.
- SUDS- This is a general term that refers to substance use disorders. Also known as CD or chemical dependency, don’t be surprised to hear this word used to describe your addiction issues.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)– When specific medications are used in addition to counseling and other therapies to assist with your recovery.
- CIWA– Clinical Institue Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale- You might hear this term associated with a number to measure your withdrawal symptoms from alcohol.
- COWS- Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale- Similar to the CIWA but more specific to measure opiate withdrawal symptoms.
- Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS)- This is when your body is feeling better from alcohol or drug use; however, you still suffer from mental and emotional symptoms such as irritability, memory loss, sleeping problems, etc.
- Level of Care- In general terms, the level of care applies to the intensity of your treatment. For example, subacute detox and residential treatment are levels of care. This is important because your treatment provider and your insurance company use a standard measurement called ASAM to monitor your progress. ASAM is a complicated concept, but if you are interested in additional information on the topic, Summit Detox has an excellent blog post about ASAM levels of care.
Benefits of Residental Substance Abuse Treatment
Substance abuse treatment has been around for centuries, yet the concept of receiving treatment for alcohol or drug addiction in a residential setting is relatively modern. When most people think about traditional rehab, scenes from the movie 28 Days, starring Sandra Bullock, may come to mind. Although this is an entertaining comedy, the reality of residential substance abuse treatment is based on best practices and evidence-based therapies.
Addiction is a complicated concept and most likely has developed over many years. It often takes intense treatment in a controlled environment to address life-long patterns. Time away from harmful outside influences, free of substances, is needed to focus entirely on yourself and individual recovery.
Some of the benefits of inpatient residential substance abuse treatment are as follows:
Support from staff and other residents.
During your treatment at RTC, you will receive individual and group therapy from certified drug and alcohol specialists. And the support you can receive from other residents who understand what you are going through without judgment is a critical factor in recovery.
A peaceful environment away from stress
Everyday life at home is most likely very stressful and chaotic. You may have become used to this environment and may have even used it as an excuse to continue to abuse substances and feel like you never have time to focus on yourself and your issues. Although RTC is not a vacation, and hard work is needed, a calming atmosphere can help foster healing.
Development of a daily schedule and routine to help keep you accountable and on track.
It is challenging to maintain a healthy schedule when you are active in alcoholism or drug abuse. You may miss important events as your life becomes unmanageable and overwhelming when your main focus is using. Denial may also lead to lying to others about how much you are drinking, and even your closest outside supports may be afraid to confront you on your behaviors. During RTC, you must follow a daily schedule, and staff and other residents are there to hold you accountable for your actions in a loving and caring way.
For additional information on the benefits of residential substance abuse treatment, call Summit Detox at 1-888-995-5265.
The Admissions Process for Residential Substance Abuse Treatment
The admissions process usually begins with a call to a quality residential treatment center and generally starts with information seeking. A friend or relative may do this for you, or you can do it yourself. You will want to ask whether the program has national accreditation and state certifications. You will also want to ask about the credentials of the staff, what insurances are in-network with the facility and any out-of-pocket expenses you may incur.
Once you find a facility that seems a good fit, an addiction specialist will contact you to complete a detailed intake assessment. During the evaluation, many personal questions about your life and alcohol and drug use will be asked. As uncomfortable as this may be, you must be honest and transparent with these questions. The facility is trying to gather enough clinical information to ensure that admission is medically necessary. Don’t be surprised if they refer you to a higher (medical detox) or lower (outpatient) level of care.
The facility will call your insurance company to obtain a pre-certification for your admission. Once this is complete, specifics about transportation, what to pack, etc., will be given before your admission date. You are then on your way to a life-changing experience.
What to Expect Upon Arrival at Residential Substance Abuse Treatment
You will most likely feel a mix of fear and relief upon arrival at RTC. Upon admission, you can expect to have a blood test to identify substances in your system. You will also be given a medical exam to discover any health issues and a psychological assessment for trauma and mental health issues.
Depending on your symptoms, you may spend up to the first week in the subacute detox section of the facility. If this is the case, don’t worry about participating in specific programming just yet. Your job at subacute detox is to rest and let medical professionals care about getting your body healed.
If you are admitted directly to substance abuse residential treatment without subacute detox or when you step down to RTC from subacute detox, the real work begins. It is not uncommon to experience a “honeymoon” period as you adjust to the environment. Depending on your level of motivation and progress, this will not last for long.
One pitfall people focus on as early as the first day of admission is their discharge date. This is a natural concern, but the sooner you can stop worrying about the length of your treatment, the faster you can get to work on your issues. It is important to remember that each person’s progress is highly individual, and there is no magic number (such as 28 or 30 days) to your length of stay at RTC. Your treatment team will monitor your progress and work with your insurance company to ensure you meet medical necessity for continued care.
Specific Programming at Residential Substance Abuse Treatment
When you arrive at RTC, you will be assigned a primary substance abuse counselor and a treatment team. They will help you develop an individual treatment plan to determine what types of therapies you will need in treatment. These will most likely be individual, group and family therapy.
One of the therapies found effective with substance abuse is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Here you will identify triggers or specific situations that lead to use and develop ways to either avoid these situations or healthily cope with them.
Upon completing RTC, you will have developed a comprehensive relapse prevention plan with support and aftercare planning to help you maintain sobriety.
Other activities you may engage in at RTC are social outings like movie and pizza nights. You will also most likely participate in recreational and art or music therapy. These activities aim to help you develop new hobbies and healthy sober living habits.
Insurance Considerations for Residential Substance Abuse Treatment
You may be concerned about if your insurance will cover the cost of substance abuse residential treatment. Most insurances require what is called pre-certification for RTC, and this is something your provider should handle before admission.
It is wise to call the customer care number on the back of your insurance card to find out about in-network vs. out-of-network benefits, deductibles and copays. Insurance companies are required to provide this information to you before starting any treatment.
A helpful tip when you call your insurance is to ask if they provide case management services. Case managers are medical professionals who work for the insurance company and can help you find providers and authorizations for step-down levels of care. You should ask for a case manager referral if your insurance has them on your plan. If you feel overwhelmed with all the insurance details, you can ask a loved one to call and get all the information for you.
Final Thoughts on Substance Abuse Residential Treatment
The decision to enter residential treatment for substance abuse can cause anxiety, but it is not one that you will most likely regret. You have made it this far and deserve a big pat on the back. Please know there is hope and healing on the horizon!
For more information on the information presented in this article or any further questions you may have, feel free to call Summit Detox at 1-888-995-5265.
References:
https://www.summitdetox.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-residential-substance-abuse-treatment/
https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment
https://www.ci2i.research.va.gov/paws/pdfs/ciwa-ar.pdf
https://www.summitdetox.com/blog/levels-of-care-in-addiction-treatment/
https://medicine.yale.edu/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/history-of-substance-abuse/
https://www.summitdetox.com/blog/the-benefits-of-residential-drug-alcohol-addiction-treatment/
