According to an annual report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 20.7 million Americans needed treatment for substance use disorders in 2017. However, only 2.5 million people in the United States received treatment for alcohol and drug addiction.

In addition to treating drug and alcohol abuse, addiction treatment programs are designed to help people once again become productive and functional members of their family, workplace, and community. While taking the first step can seem daunting, addiction treatment can be transformative.

Research presented by The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicates that most people who enter into and remain in treatment stop using alcohol and drugs, decrease their criminal activity, and improve their occupational, social, and psychological functioning. For example, a study found that when incarcerated individuals received comprehensive drug or alcohol treatment in prison, paired with follow-up care upon their release, their drug use dropped by 50-70% as compared to individuals who didn’t receive treatment.

What To Look For in Treatment Programs

Effective treatment for alcohol and drug abuse exists widely and in many forms, depending on the level of care a person requires. When seeking the right rehab center, it’s important to look for an accredited institution or program.

When an addiction treatment program is accredited it means that it has met the required criteria to be licensed by the state and it adheres to specific guidelines, and standards of practice designed by a respected third-party organization. To receive accreditation, a facility must undergo a rigorous process of evaluation. This ensures that patients receive quality services and care. Some of the most well-known accreditation bodies that help govern addiction treatment facilities include:

Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
Joint Commission (formerly known as JCAHO).
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Directory

It’s also important to ensure an addiction treatment program addresses the unique needs of the patient. For example, there are specific rehab centers that specialize in the treatment of co-occurring disorders, which is when a person has a substance use disorder alongside a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression. Additionally, there are addiction treatment programs that specialize in treating and providing support to specific populations, such as adolescents, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals.

Types of Treatment Programs

There’s a wide range of addiction treatment options available that support unique personal needs and phases of recovery. The following are the most common types of substance abuse treatment programs:

Medical Detoxification

Individuals who have developed a physical and psychological dependence on drugs or alcohol, can experience uncomfortable or even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, stomach pains, uncontrollable shaking, sweating, agitation, depression, and seizures. Medical detox allows patients to safely rid their bodies of addictive substances while under the around-the-clock supervision of medical professionals.

Medical detox programs are typically led by a physician and include nursing staff, clinicians, and mental health professionals who are trained in addiction treatment. Depending on a person’s withdrawal symptoms, physicians may prescribe medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone to make the process more comfortable.

The detox process lasts for between 7 and 10 days on average. However, this can vary based on several factors, including the type of substance used, duration and frequency of use, quantity used, and individual factors such as body chemistry, genetic makeup, weight, metabolic rate, and overall response to treatment. Medical detoxification usually takes place in a medical detox center, hospital, or as part of an inpatient addiction treatment program.

While medical detox by itself is not considered addiction treatment, it’s an important first step in the recovery process. Once all substances have been removed from the body, an individual can begin a comprehensive addiction treatment program.

Outpatient Detox

For individuals with moderate substance abuse disorders who don’t require 24/7 medical supervision, outpatient detox may be an option. An outpatient detox program allows individuals to get help at a facility during the day, while still residing at home and participating in school and work.

Outpatient detox programs typically occur within a hospital, clinic, or rehab treatment facility. Participants will typically travel to the addiction treatment facility each weekday for checkups, monitoring, and medication.

During the first session, which usually lasts one to two hours, a physician will perform a physical exam and begin your treatment. Each follow-up session will last approximately 30 minutes. The average outpatient detox program takes approximately 6.5 days. However, outpatient detox programs can range from three to 14 days depending on a patient’s overall health and the severity of their addiction.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab refers to residential addiction treatment programs where patients live on-site while receiving around-the-clock medical care and therapeutic support. Once detoxification is complete, patients will begin a comprehensive addiction treatment program designed to address both the physical and psychological aspects of their addiction. This generally includes a combination of the following:

Individual therapy
Couples and family therapy
Group therapy
Holistic therapies (including, meditation, yoga, and mindfulness)
Experiential therapies (including art therapy, adventure and wilderness therapy, and equine therapy)
Relapse prevention
Somatic and neuroscientific therapies (including EMDR and sensorimotor psychotherapy, which are used to address trauma)
12-step programs and mutual-aid support groups

The average stay at an inpatient treatment center is 28 days. However, research suggests that long-term treatment is more beneficial. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), reports that treatment longer than 90 days is linked to more positive outcomes than shorter treatment in many cases.

One of the benefits of inpatient treatment care is that it removes individuals from their environment and allows them to be fully present in the recovery process, without distractions from everyday stressors and access to social networks where substances are still being used.

Outpatient Rehab

This form of drug and alcohol rehab allows patients to live at home or in a sober living house, while still working, going to school, and attending to family responsibilities. Treatment sessions generally last for a few hours a day, 3-5 times a week.

Outpatient rehab programs are sometimes housed in hospitals, or in standalone clinics. Outpatient rehab may make treatment more accessible, but because they don’t isolate you from the outside world, it might be difficult to avoid triggers that threaten your recovery. Therefore, outpatient drug rehab is often recommended for those with less severe addiction issues.

Outpatient treatment can last anywhere from three months to a year and is considered a good “step down” for people who have completed inpatient rehab and/or are residing in a sober living home.

Intensive Outpatient Rehab (IOP)

Intensive Outpatient Rehab (IOP) is similar to outpatient rehab, but has more structure and requires an increased commitment to time in order to achieve the program’s objectives. IOPs frequently include:

Trauma education
Relapse prevention (including how to reduce cravings)
Vocational skills training (career skills)
Emotional regulation
Group therapy
Self-development
Life skills therapy (managing checking account, grocery shopping, paying bills on time)

While attending an IOP program, individuals will typically meet with clinicians and support groups for at least 10 hours a week. While program length varies, research shows that patients tend to get the best results in rehab programs that are a minimum of 90 days.

Intensive outpatient programs can happen after inpatient treatment or replace inpatient treatment altogether. Additionally, a person may attend an IOPs while residing in a sober living home or halfway house.

Partial Hospitalization Drug Treatment Programs (PHP)

Partial hospitalization drug treatment programs provide a more intensive level of outpatient care than an IOP. These programs are best suited to people who need to attend an outpatient rehab program but also have psychiatric and medical conditions that require additional support and medical supervision. Typically, a person spends at least 20 hours a week attending a PHP program and has access to medical, psychological, psychiatric, toxicological, and emergency services.

Sober Living and Substance Abuse Recovery Homes

Substance abuse recovery homes, also known as sober living homes, are structured living facilities that are designed for rehabilitated individuals to learn how to function in society without substances. Often referred to as halfway houses, they allow people who’ve been through rehab to transition from an inpatient drug rehab back into real life. Sober living homes provide a continuum of care, including support groups, counseling, life skills training, and family support.

Sober living homes are widespread and can be found across North America. As of 2020, it’s estimated that there were over 17,000 recovery homes in the United States. They typically provide 8-14 beds where residents stay on average for 7 months.

According to the National Alliance of Recovery Residences (NARR), the level of supervision at substance abuse recovery homes varies from peer-run facilities with minimal monitoring to highly supervised facilities with credentialed staff.

Faith-Based Treatment

Faith-based addiction treatment programs exist for individuals whose religion is a significant part of their lifestyle. There are both inpatient and outpatient faith-based treatment programs. Regardless of religious denomination, some people find that seeking guidance from a greater spiritual force can be a powerful part of long-term sobriety. Similar to other forms of inpatient and outpatient rehab, faith-based programs range in length from 28 years to up to a year.

Mutual Support Groups and 12-Step Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

Support groups consist of a group of people with common experiences or concerns who provide each other with encouragement, comfort, and advice. For many people, support groups are a vital part of staying sober. These groups provide attendees a chance to connect and receive encouragement from peers who are also on the path to recovery.

The average support group meeting is just over an hour and meetings are usually held in community centers, or in the basement of churches, synagogues or mosques. Some are held outside in parks or other public settings.

Support groups are also a common component of addiction treatment programs. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 12-step facilitation is used in 74% of addiction recovery facilities.

Generally, people attend support groups for however long they need them. Some attend support groups for the rest of their lives. Common support groups for addiction recovery include:

12-Step Programs: Created by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, these support groups follow a 12-step model of recovery. They’re free or low-cost, and most 12-step meetings take place daily or weekly in a local setting, such as a park, church, or community building. The two best-known are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Closed meetings are only for those in recovery themselves. Open meetings are for those in recovery and their family members or loved ones.
SMART Recovery: A popular alternative to 12-step support groups, SMART Recovery programs use a “4-Point Program” and emphasize evidenced-based techniques to overcome addiction. These non-12-step groups outline how to control addictive behaviors by examining the thoughts and feelings linked to substance abuse.
Al-Anon/Nar-Anon: These are support groups for family members or loved ones related to those overcoming alcohol or drug addiction. Al-Anon and Nar-Anon help loved ones understand how addiction is a family illness, which coping strategies are effective, and how to support those involved in drug addiction treatment.

Once an individual has completed an addiction treatment program, whether inpatient or outpatient, experts strongly recommend joining a support group. That said, support groups can be extremely helpful at any point during recovery, even before someone attends a formal rehab program.

Court-ordered Addiction Treatment

Court-ordered addiction treatment is when a judge has mandated participation in a rehab treatment program as part of a ruling. These kinds of rehabilitation methods are sometimes offered in place of jail time, or as a condition of parole, probation, or release.

In the past, addiction was treated as a criminal behavior matter. Fortunately, science and the medical field now embrace substance use disorders (SUDs) and addiction as public health issues. Therefore, court-ordered rehab is frequently used as a form of alternative sentencing. Court-ordered rehabilitation is often the first stage of recovery for many people.

How Do I Pay for Rehab?

Under the Affordable Care Act in the United States, substance abuse treatment must be covered under ACA insurance plans. ACA plans also can’t disqualify you for having a pre-existing substance use disorder or cap spending on addiction treatment. Many private medical insurance providers also offer addiction treatment coverage to varying degrees.

Other ways to pay for treatment include the following:

Medicare and Medicaid: Those who qualify can get inpatient rehab covered, depending on the facility.
Financial aid and/or sliding scale payments: Some long-term drug rehab centers offer a sliding scale according to income.
Grants and subsidies: Some types of treatment are covered for certain populations. The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) provides grants for drug addiction treatment and more. Additionally, tax credits and subsidized addiction treatment may be available, depending on the state.
Other health insurance: Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care and other workplace health insurance plans may provide some coverage for long-term rehab.

When researching which rehab options, consult your insurance provider to find out what kind of coverage is available.

How Long Will My Rehab Program Take?

Generally speaking, the more intense the addiction, the longer the stay in rehab. The average length of time spent in an inpatient treatment center is 28 days, and many inpatient programs are around this length. However, research suggests that long-term rehab is the most effective. Different treatment providers have different offerings, and long-term inpatient treatment is 60- to 90-days or longer.

That said, it does depend on the individual. Some people will achieve long-term sobriety through a high-quality, 3-month outpatient program, and then attending ongoing support groups.

Others will need a 6-month inpatient program followed by outpatient treatment and support through a sober living home. Most people will require ongoing support groups and some kind of therapy or emotional support to maintain sobriety.

How To Select the Best Addiction Treatment Program

Addiction treatment is not one-size-fits-all. The best addiction treatment program is one that works for a person’s individual needs and that they can stay committed to.

When researching addiction treatment options, here are some questions to consider.

Think about your needs. Do you feel you need 24/7 support, or would you like to be in the comfort of your own surroundings?

Inpatient rehab centers provide round-the-clock medical and therapeutic support, in a new environment where the focus is solely on recovery.

On the other hand, outpatient programs don’t require people to live on-site, allowing them to be at home while receiving treatment. Outpatient treatment may be a better fit for some people because it allows them to maintain other life habits and routines while getting help.

The level of care a person needs depends on the nature of their addiction. For example, if the addiction is severe and prolonged, a medical detox program may be required before attending an inpatient or outpatient treatment center. If drug use has been less severe, outpatient treatment services may be a better fit.

What other life responsibilities do you have and can you take time away from them right now (e.g. work, family, friends)?

Choosing the right rehab program involves looking at individual needs and resources. Sole providers for young children or elderly parents, for example, may need to attend an outpatient rehab program rather than a residential inpatient program.

What is your current financial situation?

While drug and alcohol rehabilitation exists for every budget, it’s important to consider the following:

How much your health insurance will cover when it comes to drug and alcohol rehab
The amount of money in savings that can put toward rehab
The cost of accredited programs and whether they have a sliding scale or payment plans.
Whether there are any grants that could partially or fully cover your addiction treatment program

Different treatment options are appropriate for different levels of need. Ultimately substance use treatment is personal, and this is a conversation to have with your loved ones as well as your physician or an addiction treatment professional, if possible.

Get Help With Addiction Treatment Today

Regardless of what option you choose for recovery, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Millions of other people have walked a similar path, and reached long-term recovery. Your bond with others who’ve been through what you’ve been through is irreplaceable, and countless people say their lives are forever improved because of their addiction recovery journey.

If you or your loved one needs assistance in finding the right rehab center for you, we are here to help.

What Are My Options for Addiction Treatment?