Inpatient rehab centers are facilities that the patient stays at for the duration of their treatment. At these centers, the patient is monitored by medical staff for any withdrawal symptoms or other medical problems. Inpatient facilities allow patients to bring clothing and essential toiletries with them for treatment and generally forbid the use of electronics. Some centers might allow “day passes” for patients later in their stay that allow them to leave the facility for the day and return in the evening.
Substance addictions are generally treated at inpatient centers because of the presence of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms for alcohol in particular can be more deadly in comparison with other substance withdrawals and should be monitored by a healthcare professional. If you or a loved one plan to go in for treatment of alcoholism, do not discontinue alcohol without the supervision of a healthcare professional, as alcohol withdrawal can be fatal. Doctors will sometimes give medications to help mediate symptoms of withdrawal and ensure their safety.
There are two phases of substance abuse rehabilitation: detoxification and a residential program. Detoxification sees the patient through their withdrawal symptoms and makes sure the drug is completely out of their system. This can be one week to one month in duration. The residential program is the “rehabilitation” aspect of rehab and seeks to reteach the patient how to function normally and live a sober life.
Eating disorders are often treated at inpatient facilities because of the health risks associated with eating disorders. A person with a severe eating disorder should be monitored constantly to ensure they are eating well and not purging. Anorexia is the most deadly mental disorder and recovery can be intensive to ensure a healthy outcome. Purging can cause a myriad of health problems that may need to be addressed by a doctor.
Severe behavioral disorders may warrant a stay at an inpatient facility. With behavioral addiction, there is no detoxification portion of treatment as there is no drug to get out on their system. Patients with severe exercise addiction can exhibit withdrawal symptoms from the endorphins produced during exercise. Sexual addiction can be treated at an inpatient facility as well where the patient resides with people of their non-preferred gender for sexual partners.
Inpatient rehab centers are beneficial because they allow the patients to focus on recovery without the stresses of everyday life. It is easier to reform a habit when the person is not reminded of places where they would use drugs or people with whom they would gamble on a daily basis while in treatment. The twenty-four hour monitoring at inpatient facility is essential in the presence of withdrawal symptoms or if the addicting behavior is harmful to oneself or others. There are lower relapse rates for inpatient rehab centers for substances, as access to drugs is limited until treatment is complete. Alcoholics might have a particularly hard time with outpatient treatment if friends or family drink around them. If a mental disorder is co-occurring with the addiction, inpatient treatment is a good way to get treatment for both in a safe environment. Transportation issues are also eliminated at an inpatient facility, as the patient does not have to commute for treatment.
However, inpatient treatment isn’t perfect. Inpatient facilities generally have a higher cost than outpatient treatment. The individual also must drop everything – including their job – to go away for treatment for weeks to months.
Talk to a healthcare provider about the best course of treatment for you.