An inpatient drug treatment center will only help if the addict finds the right program for their needs. There’s some debate on the right way to choose a program, and there are some things that you need to consider. We’ll go over some of them here.

Every program is different, and every inpatient drug treatment center will offer different levels of service. Some programs are 30 days long, and other, more intensive treatment programs can last for three months or more, with a good deal of time spent doing follow-up work. Some programs take a faith-based approach, seeking to heal the wounded spirit as well as the body. Each program has its pros and cons, and only you and your doctor can determine which type of inpatient drug treatment will suit you.

Before an addict enters a program, they should be seen by an addiction treatment specialist. They will do a few tests on the patient, examining their health, age, background, and addiction severity. In most inpatient drug treatment programs, this service is included but at an outpatient facility it may not be. An addiction treatment specialist can determine what type of program will best meet the needs of the addict, which may help to prevent relapse.

For an addict that also has underlying mental health problems, a dual diagnosis drug treatment program is necessary. Not every program is cut out to handle a dual diagnosis patient, and these people cannot be properly treated in a conventional inpatient drug treatment facility. Of all adults with the most common mental illnesses, 22.1 percent are addicted to drugs or alcohol. These high numbers make dual diagnosis care an even greater need.

Most experts think that inpatient drug treatment programs with a minimum duration of 90 days are the best way to help addicts get and stay clean. This belief comes from the many successes they’ve had in treating severe addictions in this way. The many former addicts who left inpatient drug treatment programs and went on to live productive lives are an honest and real testimony to the fact that these programs do work.

If you or someone you know is addicted to drugs, then you should see your doctor for a thorough evaluation. Your physician will be able to determine if an inpatient drug treatment program can help beat your addiction. For an inpatient program to be successful, the patient has to have a real desire to give up drugs, and a high level of commitment. It’s important to choose a center that you feel comfortable with, also. Choosing a program and having a good support system in place is the only way your treatment can succeed.

Getting and staying clean is probably one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do. You shouldn’t have to do it alone. Many people have attained long-term sobriety with the help of a good inpatient drug treatment program- and you can get the same results if you are committed to ending your drug addiction.

Drug Enforcement Agnecy (DEA) – http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/index.htm
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) – http://www.samhsa.gov/
National Institue of Health (NIH) – http://www.nih.gov/