Different Types of Rehab

There are different types of addiction rehabilitation available. For example, treatment options include:

Residential rehabilitation centre
Outpatient rehab clinic
Counselling

Residential rehab

A stay in a residential rehab centre is an opportunity to focus entirely on quitting drugs or alcohol and to take time out from everyday life to focus. In a rehab clinic you will undergo a medically supervised detox and also undergo regular counselling and therapy to help beat your addiction. Counselling and therapy can take place in both a group and individual setting

You should also receive an aftercare programme which will help you stay off drugs when you are away from the clinic and back in your own surroundings.

Outpatient rehab

Although outpatient rehab services are not as intensive, they do have many benefits for a lot of people. For example, they allow you to carry on with your everyday life, such as work, college, school and family. Medication may be offered alongside counselling and therapy.

Counselling/therapy

Another option is to see an addiction therapist or counsellor individually. To find this type of help you can be referred by your GP or an addiction specialist, or find one privately. It may be beneficial to include close family members in some therapy sessions.

12-step meetings

Twelve-step groups include Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. The programme originated in America but many groups are now available across the UK. The meeting are usually free and have a spiritual element to them. 12-step programs aim to help people beat their addictions in supported stages. The programmes are about making a choice to change, accepting the wrong that has been done and learning to live an addiction-free life.

Choosing rehab

Different types of rehab work for different people – here are some issues to consider to help you choose one.

Cost – Investigate the cost of various treatment options. Remember that, in some cases, help with costs will be available from the NHS and other funding.
Are you able to be away from your family and home for a period of time?
If you do not undertake residential treatment, will you stick to the programme?
Are you comfortable with the approach of the programme?
What is the long-term approach of the programme? Quitting drugs or alcohol is an ongoing process and support on an ongoing basis will help with a sustainable recovery.