You may have gone through some challenging transitions in your life, but perhaps not one as tricky as admitting a drug or alcohol struggle. Although you may be in fear right now for what’s ahead, you should commend yourself for taking a step for the better. If you are ready to move past a drug or alcohol addiction, it’s time to proceed forward and get the treatment you deserve. We won’t sugarcoat it and tell you that addiction treatment is an easy process, but with the right help, we can ease you through the process.
When you are dealing with a disease that can be deadly when left untreated, your only option is to get the help you need. The prospect of treatment can make the strongest individual fill with anxiety, which is to be expected, and you may even think you will be fine without treatment. These emotions are standard for someone about to get help, but one thing you need to remember is that drugs and alcohol will catch up with you at some point or another.
If treatment has run through your mind or you’re ready to go, you’ve finally reached a point where your lifestyle is not feasible. Addiction treatment is a unique process because each client we see has specific needs, and we have received many questions from our potential clients regarding this topic. We want to provide you some clarity about what you may be entering into and to be comfortable with this likely decision.
Our admission department at Serenity at Summit wants to identify some common questions about the topic to help you understand how the process works.
Addiction Treatment – What Is the Science Behind It?
Addiction that is portrayed on television and movies doesn’t usually give you an accurate description. We need to clarify these misrepresentations, so you don’t have false expectations when you arrive for treatment.
Stigma has been attached to addiction for as long as we can remember, but with all the coverage, we’ve learned not to judge those struggling. While it’s a dark topic killing people in society by the hundreds of thousands, it is starting to be treated for what it is; a disease.
Scientists and experts on the topic work effortlessly to continue educating the public about this topic. Fortunately, their research has yielded results that show addiction is not just a habit; it is a disease affecting our reward centers and changing pathways in our brain permanently. The information has changed how we view the topic and how we treat the condition.
In most cases that relate to the disease, we hear about individuals losing complete control, which leads to either jail, homelessness, or death. In other situations, addiction affects the people we least expect who have a career, or otherwise the perfect life. In the earlier stages of their addiction, it may not bother their careers or family, but they realize they are powerless to stop on their own. As time progresses, addiction will cause these same issues, and you can avoid poor health, financial problems, or startled relationships by getting help.
What Happens When I Go to Treatment?
With the funding going into learning about addiction and how to improve treatment, our facility continues to grow and utilize the tools at our disposal. Results will vary from one person to another, but you should expect, at the very least, an improvement in your life to start. Our goal is to treat your initial withdrawal symptoms and then focus on the chemical dependency aspect. Our facility will provide you with the necessary resources to manage your social and psychological issues caused by addiction.
You may be at a stage in life where addiction treatment doesn’t make sense – for example, you haven’t reached the “rock bottom” that you hear on television or reality shows that characterize addiction. Still, if you continue abusing drugs and alcohol, you are going to notice a swift deterioration in the quality of your life – this may include your social status, financial standings, or potential problems with the law; your rock bottom might be around the corner.
The treatment process involves various medical professionals and psychologists that provide you with their course of treatment for you moving forward. In some cases, the client will work with case managers to help you resume daily functioning, such as managing your money, finding a new job, or looking for permanent residence.
The course that addiction treatment follows is listed below and includes:
- Medically Managed Inpatient Services (Medical Detox): Upon check-in to detox, you should know that you are committing yourself to around-the-clock care to treat your withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, you will be dispensed medication to overcome your most severe symptoms, but medicine will be provided to a client to taper off certain drugs or alcohol. The process will last anywhere from three-to-seven days but could be longer depending on the severity of your addiction.
- Inpatient Treatment (Residential): Those placed into this level of care likely did not attend a formal detox, and the clinicians decided they still need intensive or otherwise around-the-clock care.
- Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP): Those entering this level of care should expect to complete no more than nine hours of therapy each week and can return home when they finish for the day. Partial hospitalization (PHP) programs fall under the same level of care, but you are required to attend 20 hours or more of therapy per week.
- Outpatient Treatment: Outpatient is the least intensive step in the continuum of care, and it requires you to attend therapy sessions each week for nine hours or less. This option is ideal for business professionals, or younger adults focused on their education to get the help they need while focusing on their obligations.
I’m Interested – Tell Me More About What You Offer
Serenity at Summit offers a variety of evidence-based treatments that will address your specific needs. We find this important because no two cases are the same, and we want to help you create a tailored model of how you’ll stay in recovery long-term. You should expect the following treatment types:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Family Systems
- Motivational Interviewing
- Group Therapy
- Stress Management
- Weekly Individual Sessions
- Relapse Prevention
- SMART Recovery
- Music Therapy
- Yoga
- NA or AA Meetings
- 24-Hour Nursing Care
- Transportation – Day or Night
Although our list of options is extensive, you should not expect to attend all of those listed above. As we mentioned earlier in this piece, those in treatment need a unique approach, and we take pride in our ability to offer diverse methods to treat multiple needs.
What About the Cost Of Treatment?
The cost of addiction treatment is among the most mentioned reasons potential clients are apprehensive about receiving care. Unfortunately, as you might expect with any healthcare, it is expensive, but we work alongside our clients to overcome this type of hurdle. Our facility works with several insurance companies to help you achieve the lowest possible out-of-pocket cost of care. We accept coverage from the following companies:
- Aetna
- Beacon
- ComPsych
- Blue Shield
- Cigna
You should keep in mind that your coverage is solely dependent on your provider and plan. Still, you must speak with a professional to determine this eligibility. You are more than welcome to contact an Intake Specialist at our facility, or you can reach out to your insurance company directly.
I Want the Help, but Is the Cost Worth It?
If you look in the next few months, the cost may not make all that much sense to you. However, if you open your span of thought and look down the road, all the costs of addiction should start to add up. It may be in legal fees or healthcare costs associated with your addiction, but it will save you money in the long run. Some clients mention they are not affected financially by drugs or alcohol to the point where spending this money is imperative, but that can all change quickly.
I’m Ready For Treatment – What Should I Bring?
We’ll provide you most of the items you need, but to ensure you are comfortable for the duration of your stay, please bring the following items:
- A picture ID card
- A cell phone to stay in touch with our facility when you’re en route
- A valid insurance card
- Over-the-counter medication
- Contact information
- A credit or debit card
- A prescription card for any medication prescribed by a physician
