Types of Drug Treatment Programs

The first step in choosing a drug treatment program is to understand the different types of treatment programs and how they work. Then a program can be chosen based on an individual's needs, which will go a long way toward ensuring a successful outcome. The process of drug treatment begins with detoxification, or "detox." This s the process of getting the drugs out of the body. It's also a critical time, because detoxification can be physically painful, and individuals often choose to keep using drugs during this time. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are four major types of drug treatment programs.

This type of drug treatment is on an outpatient basis, meaning an individual does not live at the facility where he's being treated. Methadone was originally developed to help addicts get off heroin but now is being used to treat patients who have become dependant on opiates as well. In this type of facility, methadone treatment is usually used in conjunction with group counseling sessions, as well as individual meetings with a counselor. Patients will also be monitored by licensed medical staff on a regular basis. In this setting, an individual can go on with her life but will have to show up frequently for medication--often on a daily basis and sometimes for several months.

In this type of program, an individual will stay at the facility for perhaps several months or more. It is a drug-free enviornment that the drug abuser might find comfortable because there will be other addicts recovering as well, and counselors on staff to give counseling sessions and support to individuals in treatment. An attempt is sometimes made to make the envionment home-like, so the patients will feel more comfortable with staying at a treatment facility. There is a focus on lifestyle changes and behavioral changes.

This type of program can be popular because the individual does not stay in a facility but iattends sessions or meetings to learn a variety of coping skills. Twelve-step programs are one example of this type of program. Also, an individual can learn with programs such as behavioral-cognitive therapy, and may stay in this type of program for several months or even years. Again, counselors and staff advise changes in the individual's lifestyle, abstinence from drugs and learning to cope with life without drug use.

In this type of treatment program, patients will stay in a facility up to a maximum of 30 days. The facilities are monitored by professional counselors and licensed medical staff. This type of program is more intense because the patient has to withdraw from drugs and learn new skills in a short time. Most of the patients in this type of program are first-time treatment addicts without a long history of drug abuse. After release from this type of program, patients will be referred to outside sources of help such as a 12 step program or personal counselor.

Make sure to feel comfortable with the chosen program. Ensure a treatment plan will be developed just for you and your goals. Choose a treatment program that has staff who genuinely want to help patients succeed. Choose a program with qualified professionals.

For the individual addicted to drugs, choosing a treatment program can be challenging. But help is out there. In the United States, there are more than 11,000 drug treatment programs available. Drug abuse has become such an epidemic that often state, federal or local governments provide at least partial funding to those in need. There are a few people who can withdraw from drugs on their own without any outside help, but most can't do it by themselves.