There is a wide variety of programs available to help treat drug addiction, alcoholism, and other substance use disorders. But individual needs and circumstances, as well as difficulty navigating available treatment options, can often be a barrier to accessing help. The following information provides insight into many American’s attitudes toward addiction treatment:
- In 2014, an estimated 22.5 million people in the U.S. needed treatment.
- Of those 22.5 million, only 11.6% received professional help at a treatment facility.
- Approximately 4% of the 19.9 million who did not receive professional help believed that they needed treatment.
- Among the 19.9 million who did not receive treatment, 1.2% made an effort to get help.
- Common reasons for not getting help include cost, lack of insurance, and inability to find treatment or specific types of treatment.
- Nearly 1.1 million people received treatment at a residential rehab facility in 2014.
What Is a Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Center?
Substance abuse and drug addiction rehabilitation treatment can be used to help a person recover from addictions, injuries, and even physical or mental illnesses. However, substance abuse rehab programs are often what come to mind when thinking of the word “rehab” itself. People addicted to drugs or alcohol often need the additional care and assistance that addiction treatment centers provide.
The Facts About Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Patients Are Free to Leave Anytime
One reason for this is that drug and alcohol treatment centers can only be truly effective when the patient has a desire to be there and to change his or her addictive habits.
Rehab and Detox
Before entering an addiction treatment facility, patients may have to undergo detox treatment. Detox is the process in which a patient rids his or her body of the addictive substance.
Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
Drug and alcohol rehab treatment facilities help patients make positive changes in their lives by rectifying maladaptive behaviors. Patients learn healthy coping skills, impulse control, emotional regulation skills, and drug-refusal strategies that can help them avoid relapse in the long run.
Drug addiction treatment programs help people to recover from substance use disorders. There are many different types of addiction treatment centers. Some specialize in helping patients with a specific drug addiction; others offer a broader range of drug and alcohol addiction services. Some rehab facilities are even gender- or age-specific, such as a teen or women-only treatment center, as this often helps patients feel more comfortable in the rehab setting. Inpatient and outpatient rehab facilities are also available.
Some people hold the misconception that patients in a substance abuse rehabilitation center are forced to stay. However, this is untrue. Patients in rehab treatment facilities are free to leave anytime they choose to. One reason for this is that drug and alcohol treatment programs can only be truly effective when the patient has a desire to be there and to change his or her addictive habits. That being said, in instances where individuals are compelled to go to rehab—such as via a court order—the rehab process can still be effective, even if they were initially reluctant to go.
Different Types of Substance Abuse Facilities
Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers range from very basic facilities to luxury treatment centers. The type of facility a patient attends depends upon his or her budget and level of insurance coverage. While luxury centers offer more amenities than basic facilities, they are not always the best substance abuse treatment centers. Patients should investigate a rehab program before making a final decision.
Before entering a rehab facility, patients may have to undergo detox treatment. Detox is the process in which a patient rids his or her body of the addictive substance. From start to finish, this process varies in length, but often takes about a week. As part of a medical detox program, recovering patients will be monitored by doctors and nurses and given medications to manage withdrawal, when appropriate. Once a patient completes detox, he or she is ready for rehab treatment.
Admissions and Addiction Treatment Process
Before commencing with drug and alcohol abuse treatment, you will undergo an intake evaluation from an addiction counselor or mental health professional. This assessment will take into account self-reports of substance abuse, medical records, urine screening, blood testing, and more. The person will gather as much information as possible regarding:
- Patterns of drug or alcohol abuse.
- Medical history.
- Mental status.
- Physical problems or conditions.
- Vital signs, such as blood pressure.
- Past detox or rehab experiences.
- Living conditions, financial situation, and legal status.
- Violence or suicide risk.
- Cognitive, sensory, or physical disabilities.
The person conducting the evaluation will use this information to help create an individualized treatment plan tailored to suit your needs. This treatment plan may involve:2
- Individual therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or contingency management.
- Group counseling.
- Peer support meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
- Family therapy sessions.
- Additional services or activities, such as yoga, exercise and nutritional counseling, meditation and mindfulness, acupuncture, or spa treatment.
- Medication management, if applicable.
- Relapse prevention education.
- Aftercare planning.
Individual therapy will help you learn to recognize triggers and cope with them. The therapists may also help you to improve your emotional regulation skills in order to better avoid relapse. Group counseling provides you with the opportunity to practice sober social skills, as well as the coping strategies you learned in individual counseling. Family therapy sessions can help to repair broken relationships, improve communication skills, and build conflict resolution skills.
How to Find the Best Drug Addiction Rehab Center Near Me
If you’re in search for the best drug rehabilitation center near you, you’ll want to be thorough while searching for the substance abuse treatment program that is right for you. Not all treatment facilities are equal, so it’s important that you know what you’re looking for. Not everyone will benefit from the same type of rehab so some priorities may depend on the individual’s preferences, but some standard things to look for include:
- Treatment program accreditations and certifications.
- Appropriate education, experience, and certifications for staff members.
- Individualized treatment plans.
- Ongoing re-evaluations of treatment plans.
- Aftercare/relapse prevention planning.
- Evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
- Experience in treating your specific addiction.
- Experience in treating addiction and a co-occurring (dual diagnosis) mental health disorder, if necessary.
- Empathetic, nonjudgmental, compassionate staff members.
- Staff trained in cultural sensitivity.
You may also want to consider a facility that shares your philosophy. For instance, some people prefer faith-based rehabs if their religion is important to them. Others may choose to enroll in a holistic treatment center that utilizes alternative and complementary practices, such as acupuncture, meditation, and yoga. Regardless of the treatment program you choose, it’s important to confirm that it possesses the above-mentioned qualities.
Committing to Drug Addiction Recovery

Doctors and counselors in drug and alcohol rehab centers help patients make goals for themselves. Patients commit to themselves and their loved ones that they will strive to make a positive change in their lives. They make long-term goals and then short-term goals that help them along the way.
To help patients overcome denial and make healthy choices and commitments, doctors educate them on the consequences and effects of substance abuse and addiction. Patients learn about the effects that drugs and alcohol have on their bodies in the hopes that they will be more motivated to make a change.
What Do Rehabilitation Treatment Facilities Offer?
Drug and alcohol rehab treatment centers offer frequent individual counseling to patients. These counseling sessions sometimes even take place on a daily basis. Counselors help patients discover any emotional or psychological factors that may have contributed to their addictions. It is important that these psychological factors are addressed if a patient is to make a full recovery.
In addition to individual counseling, patients in a rehab program often participate in group therapy. Patients with similar addictions meet together under the direction of a counselor. This allows them to form friendships and to have fellowship with one another. These close personal bonds aid patients on their road to recovery.
Patients in substance abuse facilities learn to recognize situations that may trigger drug and alcohol abuse. These triggers could be emotional, physical, part of relationships, or simply part of their normal routines. Counselors and doctors help patients learn how to combat those triggers and get out of circumstances that may lead them to abuse substances.
Once patients learn to recognize drug and alcohol abuse triggers, they learn the skills needed to cope with them. Counselors and doctors in rehab treatment centers work with each patient to come up with a personalized set of coping skills that the patient can use to prevent him or her from turning to drugs or alcohol.
Counselors also help rehab patients change their negative habits that are related to their addictions. This could include changing leisure activities or even changing aspects of an individual’s career or everyday life. The goal is to reduce the amount of stress and triggers in the patient’s life to keep him or her from relapsing.
Program Preferences Before and After Treatment

In 2016, Recovery Brands conducted a survey asking patients leaving a recovery treatment program what clinic characteristics they saw as high priority aspects to examine when looking at a program. The top priority was the clinic’s financial practices, such as insurance accepted, payment options, and financial support. They also valued facility offerings (amenities, comforts, quality of housing, etc.) much more after graduating from addiction treatment. Individuals looking for recovery centers will want to look at a facility’s financial policies as well as the program’s offerings to aid in their final program choice.
Life Changes in Addiction Rehab

Patients in drug and alcohol rehab treatment programs are encouraged to end toxic relationships. Toxic relationships are those that have the propensity to lead to substance abuse. Conversely, patients are encouraged to seek help from other people who can support them on their journey. These supportive relationships could include friends, family members, and even other rehab center patients.
Family members of rehab patients can seek drug and alcohol treatment information by talking to the counselors and doctors at the facility. Friends and family members can help and support patients by learning about substance abuse and addiction. They may do this by participating in counseling sessions with the patient. Counselors in rehab facilities can also teach family members and friends of patients how they can help. They can learn about the coping skills that the patients are learning, the different drug and alcohol abuse triggers, and the best ways to show love and support.
Often, drug addictions negatively affect the friends and family of those in recovery.
– Rehabs.com
Often, drug and alcohol addictions negatively affect friends and family. In this case, substance abuse rehab treatment centers can offer counseling and healing services to friends and family of those in recovery. Loved ones can help a patient best once they have sought healing for themselves.
Many drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers have 28-day program options, but your recommended treatment length could be several months. The length of time a patient spends in the treatment facility depends on his or her healing progress. Doctors and counselors may suggest an early release for the patient, or they may request that the patient stay in rehab longer than expected.
Many rehab patients continue to receive treatment for their addictions after leaving the center. They may have regular clinic visits with a doctor to manage physical symptoms. Patients may also meet with a counselor on a regular, outpatient basis to refine coping skills. In addition to the love and support of family and friends, patients may also attend support group meetings after leaving a drug and alcohol rehab treatment facility. All of these aftercare services help patients remain sober and avoid relapse.