Types of rehabilitation programs for drug addicts

Detoxification and medically managed withdrawal

The process of detoxification often is managed with medications that are administered by a physician in an inpatient or outpatient setting. It is the first stage of treatment because it is designed to manage the acute and potentially dangerous physiological effects of stopping drug use and should be followed by a formal assessment and referral to subsequent drug addiction treatment.

Long-term residential treatment

The best-known residential treatment model is the therapeutic community (TC), with planned lengths of stay between 6 and 12 months, which focus on the "resocialization" of the individual and use the program's entire community as active components of treatment. Treatment is highly structured and can be confrontational at times, with activities designed to help residents examine damaging beliefs, self-concepts, and destructive patterns of behavior and adopt new, more harmonious and constructive ways to interact with others.

Short-term residential treatment

Short-term residential programs provide intensive but relatively brief treatment based on a modified 12-step approach. The original residential treatment model consisted of a 3-6-week hospital-based inpatient treatment phase followed by extended outpatient therapy and participation in a self-help group.

Outpatient treatment programs

Outpatient treatment varies in the types and intensity of services offered. Such treatment costs less than residential or inpatient treatment and often is more suitable for people with jobs or extensive social supports.

Individualized drug counseling

Through its emphasis on short-term behavioral goals, individualized counseling helps the patient develop coping strategies and tools to abstain from drug use and maintain abstinence. The addiction counselor encourages 12-step participation (at least one or two times per week) and makes referrals for needed supplemental medical, psychiatric, employment and other services.

Group counseling

Research has shown that when group therapy either is offered in conjunction with individualized drug counseling or is formatted to reflect the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy or contingency management, positive outcomes are achieved.