Addicts have an uncontrollable need for drugs or alcohol. HelpGuide.org states that repeated use of mind-altering substances interferes with your ability to think clearly, exercise good judgment and behave responsibly. Drugs also cause cravings and the urge to use. A total of 25,238 admissions to North Carolina drug rehabilitation centers occurred in 2004, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Types of Drug Rehabilitation Programs
Types of drug rehabilitation centers in North Carolina include inpatient, outpatient, faith-based, gender-specific as well as programs for gay, lesbian and transexual addicts. Drug rehabilitation centers also practice different methods of treatment. Biophysical programs deal with both physical dependency as well as the mental and emotional need for drugs. Twelve-step programs work by placing your addiction in the hands of a "higher power." Dual-diagnosis refers to a theory that addicts use to self-medicate a mental disorder. Treatment includes diagnosing an underlying mental disorder and prescribing medication to treat the chemical imbalance in the brain. Drug replacement therapy treats heroin and prescription narcotics by replacing the illegal drug with a different drug, such as methadone.
Program Length
Drug rehabilitation centers in North Carolina offer various lengths of stay depending on the severity of the addiction, insurance coverage and type of program. Hospital-based drug rehabilitation centers treat patients for an average of 10 days. Addiction treatment centers covered by insurance treat addicts for approximately 20 days. The average length of stay in long-term addiction treatment centers is 90 days. Federally funded residential centers offer treatment for 3 to 6 months.
Cost
Cost varies by program and length of stay. According to the National Substance Abuse Treatment Services Survey, the average cost for an inpatient drug rehabilitation program is $7,000 per month. Programs longer than 30 days cost up to $75,000. Health insurance, federally funded programs and payment plans can help with the cost.
Programs for Families and Children of Addicts
Drug addiction affects families as well as the addict. Pavillon, a drug rehabilitation center in North Carolina, offers programs for families and children of addicts. The family program provides education on understanding the disease, the impact of addiction, how treatment works, family roles that enable dysfunction and how to rebuild relationships. The program for children educates kids about the disease of addiction, communication skills, self-care and life skills. The free program treats children 6 to 14 years of age affected by someone addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Aftercare
Aftercare programs follow the completion of rehab and helps addicts ease back into society with support. Types of aftercare programs include work exchange and sober living. Work exchange aftercare allows patients to continue staying at the rehabilitation center in exchange for performing work duties. Sober house living provides recovering addicts a room in a home with others in recovery. Residents of sober houses must find employment, pay rent and attend 12-step or Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
