In-Patient Drug & Alcohol Treatment Methods

In-patient drug and alcohol treatment involves living in a residential treatment facility for a period of time to overcome addiction to drugs, alcohol or both. Often, in-patient treatment proves to be more effective than other treatments for some addicts because it makes obtaining access to their drug, drugs or alcohol of choice more difficult and because their therapy and treatment is typically more focused and intense. In-patient treatment usually begins with a period of detoxification followed by additional courses of action, which may take the form of therapy or behavior modification.

Pharmacological Treatment

• Some in-patient drug and alcohol centers prescribe drug therapy to patients to manage withdrawal and to curb addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states, however, that various medications that help with withdrawal symptoms are not an effective stand-alone treatment method because patients who use drug therapy to help with withdrawal but then end treatment at that point generally relapse.

  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, though, these drug therapies can be an important first step in treatment. It also states that drug therapy can be helpful in restoring normal functions of the brain, which are impacted by drugs, in suppressing cravings for a drug and/or in changing the way the brain responds to a drug.

  The type of pharmacological treatment used depends on a person's addiction. For example, buprenorphine and methadone are used for opiate addiction, while ReVia was approved by the Federal Drug Administration in 1995 for treatment of alcoholism.

Behavioral Modification Therapy

• According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, behavioral therapy is an important component of in-patient drug and alcohol treatment. Behavioral therapy involves adjusting attitudes toward drugs, helping patients understand why they use drugs and learning to change their reactions in those situations, helping patients learn to avoid temptation and encouraging abstinence from drugs.

  The type of behavioral modification therapy used depends on the specific in-patient program. Behavioral therapy can take the form of group therapy, one-on-one therapy or classes and education. For example, one form of therapy--motivational enhancement therapy--focuses on helping addicts understand that the motivation for change comes from within and building the motivation to stay sober. Another type of therapy, cognitive behavior management, focuses on helping patients identify and avoid situations in which they would be tempted to use drugs. Often, these different types of therapy are combined in a residential treatment setting.

Couples and Family Therapy

• In many residential treatment facilities, spouses, significant others and family members are invited to therapy sessions. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, studies have demonstrated that when a spouse or significant other is involved in the therapy program, the patient is much more likely to abstain from drinking in the long term.

  Involving family can be important both because the family can provide a support system and because negative reactions to family problems can be one of the causes of drug dependence and addiction.