Is Short Term Inpatient Drug Rehab Right for Me?

Short term inpatient drug rehab programs can be a beneficial choice for some individuals, but they can also be too short on their own. In order to help people recover fully from an addiction longer care is generally required. You may be wondering, though, if this treatment option is right for your current recovery needs. Call 800-430-1407Who Answers? now in order to find safe, reliable rehab centers that will cater to your situation.

What Is Short Term Inpatient Drug Rehab?

Short term inpatient programs for drug addiction provide patients with a recovery option that does not last long but is extremely intensive. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, many of the facilities labeled as short term inpatient care provide “hospital-based inpatient treatment,” which was originally designed to treat alcoholism. Most short term inpatient programs may last from 3 to 4 weeks to 30 days, but rarely last longer than this.

In addition, there are some rehab programs in this category that only provide 1 or 2 weeks of care that is specifically focused on detox. All of these types of programs can be considered short term inpatient care for addiction, and choosing one can possibly become part of an individual’s long-term recovery from a substance use disorder.

What Type of Care Is Provided?

Short term rehab is less expensive than long term care, and is often covered by insurance.

Because these facilities usually offer more intensive care, short term inpatient centers will often provide hospital-based treatment. In addition, patients will receive all the other aspects commonly known to be associated with inpatient treatment, including

• 24-hour care in a facility that provides accommodations and meals for patients
• A controlled environment in which patients are not at risk of relapse
• Round-the-clock access to a trained medical staff of doctors, nurses, counselors, etc.
• Group and individualized therapy
• Access to medications, when necessary

These facilities work to offer patients everything they would get from a longer term inpatient program in a short amount of time. For some people, this is a very beneficial option for recovery.

Benefits of Short Term Inpatient Care

Inpatient care that lasts for a short amount of time can be a good option for addiction treatment. Here are some ways you can benefit by seeking this type of treatment program.

• It costs less: Unfortunately, residential centers––and especially programs that offer hospital-based care––can usually be more expensive than other options for treatment. This is because inpatient facilities have to provide individuals will sleeping arrangements, meals, and other daily necessities that outpatient programs don’t have to provide. Short term inpatient drug rehab is a less costly form of inpatient care that makes this type of program more accessible to many individuals.
• It provides controlled care: Many individuals need controlled treatment for their addiction syndromes, especially early on in their recoveries and during detox. This is because this time is when people are usually the most vulnerable to relapse. If a person does need inpatient treatment, it is usually early on in their recovery when they are the most defenseless.
• It provides intensive care: Some people generally require more intensive treatment for their addictions. This can be true for a number of reasons.
  • According to the medical journal Psychiatric Quarterly, individuals who do not have a strong social support system at home often need inpatient care because do not have the protection of friends and family members at the time when they need it the most.
  • In addition, individuals suffering from comorbid disorders like depression or bipolar disorder will also need inpatient care in order to recover safely from their addiction and be treated simultaneously for their mental disorder(s) (NIDA).
  • Other people who might need more intensive care include
    • Those who require hospitalization for medical issues
    • Those whose home lives are not conducive to recovery
    • Those who are in danger from someone in their life who does not want them to seek recovery for their addiction
• It doesn’t take up as much time: Patients who seek this treatment option can finish the first part of their recovery process in a shorter period of time than those who seek longer term inpatient rehab. This can be helpful because a person does not need to be away from their daily life and family for very long.

Disadvantages of Short Term Inpatient Care

Unfortunately, like all treatments, there are downsides to this option for addiction recovery. For example, many people do not realize that short term inpatient drug rehab must be followed up by another treatment option like intensive outpatient care. This can lead many individuals to thinking they have recovered safely from addiction by only attending this program when, in fact, they have not.

The program has other drawbacks as well.

• It can lead to relapse: As a result of the kind of situation illustrated above, many individuals leave this type of rehab program believing they are cured. This can lead a vulnerable person back to substance abuse very quickly.
• It can cause disillusionment: Even those who understand that short term treatment programs are only part of a longer process sometimes become disillusioned with their entire journey of recovery. They can sometimes feel cheated because the program was not able to immediately cure their addiction.
• It is not usually as effective as longer term programs: In truth, the length of treatment programs and their effects on patients has been studied, and although every individual is different, most people have been found to create more successful results when seeking longer term treatment.

According to the NIDA, “Generally, for residential or outpatient treatment, participation for less than 90 days is of limited effectiveness, and treatment lasting significantly longer is recommended for maintaining positive outcomes.” Since short term inpatient drug rehab only usually lasts around 30 days, patients are encouraged to attend another treatment program afterward, but this does not always solve the problem. Some patients do not seek these extra options while others have issues with their treatment being broken up into separate parts.

How Is Long Term Addiction Treatment Better for Me?

Is This Treatment Option Right for Me?

There is no way of knowing for sure if any one rehab program is right for your needs without learning more about what they offer and beginning the assessment and intake process that starts when you contact the facility. However, there are some aspects of recovery and your individual situation that may make you a suitable candidate for this type of program.

• You are suffering from a comorbid mental or physical disorder and need to be assessed and treated for this in addition to your addiction.
• You have a strong social support system at home but still need to attend inpatient care for at least the beginning of your recovery.
• Your withdrawal symptoms are severe but you have been using a short-acting drug, one for which the withdrawal symptoms will disappear quickly with the right treatment and care.
• You have been through addiction treatment before, and though you still want to start with inpatient care, you do not feel you need long-term treatment of this type.
• You have an intensive outpatient care program lined up for your long term recovery, but you want to detox and recover in a rehab facility with 24-hour care.
• You need to be in a controlled environment early on in your recovery, but you have people who can care for you at home afterwards and ensure that you stay on track.
• You want to get through the initial stage of your recovery quickly so you can get back to your daily routine and responsibilities. You feel this, in addition with outpatient care, will help you stay on track in your recovery.
• You cannot spend too long in an inpatient rehab center because your children, family, or someone else is depending on you.
• You are highly motivated to put an end to your substance abuse and want to start with inpatient rehab in order to quickly transition to outpatient care.

If you recognize more than one of these scenarios as being similar to your situation, short term inpatient care could be a beneficial option for your initial treatment for addiction. However, you must remember to seek care beyond this program in order to build a well-rounded and effective recovery.

How Can I Find the Rehab Program of My Choice?

Let us help you find the best treatment for your current needs. Call 800-430-1407Who Answers? now and we will match you with the rehab programs that will best fit your situation. We can also answer any questions you may have about addiction, treatment, and recovery.