Differences between detoxification and residential rehab

Posted by GuestAuthor on June 14th, 2021

If you are going to attend an inpatient facility for drug addiction, you might be curious as to the differences between the different levels of care.  While detoxification and residential treatment are both subcategories of inpatient rehabilitation, there are some big differences.  Detoxification is usually considered the first step that one would take when receiving inpatient treatment.  The main goal of detoxification is to safely wean the patient off the addictive drugs which they had been taking.

Residential treatment is usually considered the last stage of inpatient drug rehabilitation.  It is the stage where people have already detoxed the drugs from their system, have learnt a little about recovery, and are now on their way back into the world.  The main goal of residential treatment is to assist the patient on this in a manner of different ways and provide the patient with the skills and understanding that they need to maintain long term clean time and sobriety.

To better inform yourself, please read on for more information on the differences between detoxification and residential rehab.

Detoxification

Detoxification is considered the most INTENSIVE method of treatment.  When getting inpatient treatment, residents receive 24-hour care within the rehab facility.

The purpose of detoxification is to provide an environment where people can safely withdraw from drugs.  If someone is dependent on alcohol or benzodiazepines then it is usually essential that the person attends a rehabilitation unit, as these can both lead to seizures and death.

If the person attending the detoxification unit is addicted to opioids, suboxone or methadone are often provided as a way of weaning the person of the opioids.  This is usually done over a several week period.  While still a difficult process to go through, the inclusion of MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) can make the experience much less difficult than without.

At a detoxification center much of the emphasis is to have the patient as comfortable as possible, however at some detox centers some group sessions happen, depending on whether the patient feels able to attend.  Usually, the first week that a patient is at a detoxification center they are unable to attend any sessions due to withdrawal effects from the drugs they had been taking.

Residential treatment

Residential programs in Georgia usually offer longer stays than detoxification.  At a residential rehab, you will be able to address underlying problems, both psychological and behavioral, which are associated with alcohol and drug addictions.

Residential treatment programs usually last for a longer period of time than inpatient programs and tend to be at least several months long.  There is no upper timeframe to leave a residential rehab center and people have been known to sometimes stay at a residential treatment center for over a year.

When you are receiving residential treatment, you will have a structured schedule, which can be important to someone in early recovery.  This will consist of group therapy, such as relapse prevention, and individual therapy with a counsellor.  You will be encouraged to build resilience and develop skills to manage in the outside world.  If you are currently employed you are often encouraged to go back to work when you are ready if your employment is suitable for recovery.  If you are not employed, you will be supported back to employment with training.

Residential treatment is usually attended after a period of inpatient rehab.  This is important as usually residential programs in Georgia only permit people who are clean and sober.  Of course, some people may be able to find sobriety without attending inpatient rehab, but this is not possible for the majority.

Funding

If you want to go to residential programs in Georgia, but do not currently have the funds, it is worth checking with your insurance company whether you are covered, as private companies who provide insurance must not provide coverage for substance abuse treatment to members under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Those who do not have insurance might also be able to attend a treatment center, through Medicaid, an insurance which is covered federally for those with low income.  Not every treatment center accepts Medicaid and Medicare, so make sure you check with the rehab that you wish to attend to see if it is possible for them to accept either of these.

If you are not able to receive inpatient or residential care with your insurance, Medicaid or Medicare, you might be able to access outpatient care.  Check with your insurance provider or with your local Medicaid office.