Alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs vary from intensive inpatient programs that last from 30 days to more than a year and outpatient programs that offer counseling and education to self-help groups and private psychiatric services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) reports that more than 1.1 million alcoholics and drug addicts sought treatment in more than 13,000 accredited treatment facilities in the United States in 2007, the last year when figures were gathered.
Insurance
Many health insurance plans cover inpatient drug rehabilitation or intensive outpatient services. Other treatment programs offer patients a sliding scale fee, while state alcohol and drug treatment programs and community resources are available for indigent substance abusers. According to SAMHSA, in 2007 drug facilities charged 62 percent of their patients on a scale based on income, while more than half provided care free to patients who could not afford treatment.
Early Stages
The early stages of drug treatment involve detoxification and withdrawal. Inpatient recovery from chemical dependency provides a restricted safe environment, while patients receiving outpatient treatment services are given recommendations to move and find new living arrangements if they are surrounded by drugs. Withdrawal symptoms from most drugs are not life-threatening, though patients may experience side effects such as nausea, diarrhea or seizures. Drugs are utilized in many treatment programs to ease the discomfort of withdrawal.
Drug Treatments
Some alcohol and drug treatment programs utilize prescription drugs to detox and wean addicts from the substance to which they were addicted. Antabuse is a drug that creates intense nausea and vomiting when alcoholics drink, while naltrexone is a medication that can reduce the cravings for alcohol. Methadone is a synthetic opiate that is used to treat heroin addiction in some treatment programs. The National Institutes of Health reports that seratonin uptake inhibitors, used to treat depression, is another type of drug commonly used in treatment of alcohol and drug abuse.
Mental Illness
Many alcoholics and drug addicts also have a co-occurring mental illness, which is treated by most rehabilitation facilities. Rehabilitation of patients with a dual diagnosis usually requires pharmacological treatment coupled with intense therapy and continued follow-up. The mental disorder cannot be treated until the withdrawal symptoms from the substance have subsided.
Follow-Up
Most alcohol and drug treatment programs provide follow-up treatment as part of their offerings that may include individual or group therapy and continued medical maintenance. Follow-up programs can include behavior modification and social education therapy as well as family therapy and incentive programs. Patients are encouraged to attend 12-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous to build a support group and prevent relapse.
