What to Expect from Inpatient Addiction Treatment

If you struggle with substance addiction issues or have a co-occurring mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, you may benefit from inpatient addiction treatment.

Many people grappling with emotional challenges like addiction, depression and anxiety disorder opt for residential or inpatient treatment.

Why? Because these programs are more intensive and comprehensive, treating not only the symptoms of your addiction and/or mental illness but also the root causes that underlie these complex issues.

Of course, not everyone who struggles with these challenges requires this level of treatment.

However, countless studies show that inpatient addiction treatment produces the most effective, long-lasting outcomes for those struggling with severe substance use disorder and many other mental health issues – compared to stand-alone programs that offer limited treatment and minimal aftercare and follow-up.

Here, we will explore what you can expect from inpatient addiction treatment.

In the meantime, if you are concerned about your (or a loved one’s) substance use and would like further information and support, do not hesitate to get in touch with our specialist team at White River Manor, who will only be too glad to help.

What to expect from inpatient addiction treatment

Anyone who’s watched the infamous movie One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest will probably agree that the world has come a long way regarding how our culture once viewed inpatient treatment within a mental health facility.

Thankfully, the antiquated notion of straight – jackets, padded rooms, and metal beds is a thing of the past. 

Inpatient rehab facilities nowadays offer luxury accommodations, scenic surroundings and a range of evidence-based treatments and experiential therapies to help clients effectively recover from the effects of substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health issues.

Inpatient rehabilitation, also called ‘residential rehab’, is a comprehensive treatment program designed to assist those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction to recover and abstain from substance use. 

These types of rehab services provide round-the-clock care and supervision.

Due to the high level of support and structure provided within these programs, inpatient addiction rehab is usually recommended for those with severe substance abuse issues or for individuals dealing with an addiction and a co-occurring mental health disorder simultaneously.

If this is your first time exploring this type of treatment, the prospect of staying at a rehab facility for a specific period of time may seem quite daunting—after all, there’s so much to consider!

For instance, you may wonder what types of treatment you can expect, and you may also consider the level of privacy and confidentiality available at your chosen rehab facility.

You may also have concerns about accommodation. For instance, will you have your own room, or will you have to share with other clients in treatment?

No matter your questions, they are valid and deserve a comprehensive answer. 

After all, this is your life and health. Therefore, we have outlined some things you can expect from inpatient addiction treatment below.

What to expect

As mentioned, inpatient rehab provides individuals with a comprehensive and structured approach to addiction treatment, helping them recover from substance abuse by giving them specific tools and resources needed to sustain lasting healing and improve their quality of life.

Here’s what you can expect from inpatient addiction treatment:

1. Medical detoxification

The first step in inpatient addiction treatment is usually medical detoxification.

This treatment helps rid your body of any toxins or substances under the safety and guidance of medical specialists, who can safely manage any withdrawal symptoms you may have while preparing your body for recovery.

Medical detox programs are usually integrated into an individual’s overall treatment plan, helping to ensure a smooth transition from detoxification to therapeutic treatment and intervention.

2. Individualised treatment programs

The next phase of inpatient addiction treatment involves working with your healthcare team to create an individualised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and preferences, including various therapeutic methods, modalities, and approaches.

For instance, your addiction treatment program may include a combination of evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), EMDR (eye movement desensitisation reprocessing therapy) and individual treatment with a counsellor.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Through CBT, you can explore and address any maladaptive thoughts and behaviours that may have caused or continue to worsen your substance use while developing healthy coping skills and relapse prevention strategies.

EMDR (eye movement desensitisation reprocessing therapy)

EMDR, also called eye movement desensitisation reprocessing therapy, involves working with an experienced trauma therapist to help you address any unresolved trauma or adverse experiences that may have led to your alcohol or drug abuse issues.

This treatment involves the use of bilateral stimulation (side-to-side eye movements), rhythmic tapping, and other techniques to help you reprocess any painful or traumatic experiences from your past so you no longer feel the need to escape or suppress any associated feelings and emotions.

Once effectively reprocessed, these memories will no longer feel as distressing, allowing you to view them in a new, more empowering way. 

Much evidence has shown that integrating EMDR therapy with traditional addiction treatment can significantly reduce the negative emotions associated with addiction and lower your risk of relapse.

As well as the above, other types of therapies provided in individualised addiction treatment programs often include the following:

• Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
• Family therapy
• Trauma-focused therapy
• Group support
• Aftercare and support programs

3. Co-occurring disorder treatment

Another vital aspect of inpatient addiction treatment is co-occurring disorder therapy or dual diagnosis.

This involves addressing both your addiction issues and mental health challenges simultaneously.

For instance, you may suffer from alcoholism and depression at the same time. Or you may struggle with cocaine addiction and anxiety disorder simultaneously.

Co-occurring disorder treatment involves treating both disorders concurrently, providing intensive support and therapy to help reduce your addiction and mental health symptoms while allowing you to develop healthy coping skills to help you manage your life throughout treatment and beyond.

4. Experiential therapy

Another critical factor in inpatient addiction treatment is experiential therapy.

Many residential facilities offer this type of treatment as the primary emphasis of this approach is about taking action.

For instance, researchers state that action is essential because when a person is bodily engaged, they have access to psychological elements they wouldn’t have access to otherwise. 

Moreover, action can help fuel positive change. The belief here is that when someone behaves in a new way, they can think in new ways, too.

Experiential therapy involves drawing on various modalities and approaches to help individuals overcome issues with substance abuse and other emotional challenges, including:

• Drama therapy
• Music and art therapy
• Equine-assisted therapy
• Outdoor therapy
• Play therapy
• Narrative therapy

Studies also show that as well as being an effective therapy for substance use disorder, experiential therapy can also help with the following issues:

• Anxiety
• Eating disorders
• Grief
• Mood disorders
• Depression
• Anger issues
• Trauma

5. Structured treatment environment 

Inpatient addiction treatment provides you with a structured daily routine involving one-on-one therapy sessions, group therapy, activities and personal time to help you unwind and relax between treatments.

This structured environment helps eliminate outside distractions and triggers, allowing you to focus solely on your recovery journey.

You will have access to continuous care and support from your healthcare team during your treatment. This usually involves:

• Constant medical supervision
• Emotional support
• Immediate assistance in case any complications or emergencies arise

What else should you expect from inpatient addiction treatment?

Individuals engaging in inpatient addiction treatment have a safe and stable foundation in which to recover, providing them with a safe space to work through their emotional challenges and minimise their risk of future relapse.

As well as the above, those engaging in inpatient treatment can expect to be offered a range of standard and luxury accommodations (private or shared) as part of their program.

Depending on the rehab facility, clients can also expect a variety of amenities and activities such as hiking, water rafting, day trips and local excursions, onsite spas, swimming pools, and nutritious meals served throughout the day.

Summary

Inpatient addiction treatment is a highly beneficial program for those with severe substance addiction, mental health disorders, and co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and trauma.

It provides a safe, structured and supportive setting as well as intensive treatment and support to help facilitate stabilisation and grounding, allowing you to heal and recover from the long-term effects of substance use disorder and other forms of dependency.

Group therapy, peer support, and comprehensive aftercare programs are integral components of any inpatient addiction program.

These programs offer ongoing help and support during and after treatment, reinforcing healthy coping skills and relapse prevention strategies as well as allowing you to connect with others facing similar challenges.

Collaboratively, the various treatments and methodologies involved in inpatient addiction treatment can help guide you on the path to long-term sobriety and wellness, allowing you to live a life you could have only imagined at the beginning.

A life free from the clutches of addiction.

How White River Manor can help

At White River Manor, our specialist team diagnoses and treats a wide range of mental health disorders, including various types of addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma, dual diagnosis, and more.

We treat all our clients with the utmost care, respect and dignity they deserve to help set them on the path to long-lasting healing and recovery from addiction and other emotional difficulties that may hold them back from being the best version of their true, authentic selves.

When we experience issues with anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder, it can limit how we see ourselves and the world around us.

Understandably, these limiting beliefs can make it easier to want to continue numbing our feelings or stuffing them down with alcohol, drugs or behaviours like gambling or compulsive shopping. 

These behaviours temporarily alleviate our internal suffering, which can naturally make us want to repeat them.

However, the keyword in the above sentence is ‘temporary’. 

Once the pleasurable effects of a drug or behaviour have worn off, we may find ourselves back at square one, where we experience the emotional hangover of hangovers.

At White River Manor, we understand this process well. 

That’s why our treatment programs are designed to get to the core of what makes you want to escape or suppress your feelings, helping you get a better handle on your addictive symptoms and giving you the tools to cope so that substances no longer have such a tight grip on your life.

We offer a range of inpatient treatment programs to help you overcome your addiction while building a deeper understanding of what may have caused you to drink or take drugs in the first place. 

This knowledge can be invaluable, allowing you to develop more self-compassion and empathy, all factors that lead to lasting healing and recovery from substance addiction and other mental health difficulties.

Although each of our programs is customised to the individual, a typical inpatient addiction treatment program at White River Manor usually includes a combination of the following:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Trauma treatment (such as EMDR – eye movement desensitisation reprocessing)
• Mindfulness therapy
• Group therapy
• Family support
• 12-step program
• Aftercare and support program
• And more

Contact our friendly team today for further advice and support on our inpatient addiction treatment or to speak to one of our friendly specialists about your concerns.

We are here and ready to help.

Additional resources

How Does Inpatient Rehab Work? Verywell mind, Julia Childs Heyl, MSW, 17 December, 2022